Mid-Century Modernism in St. Louis 1930-1965

3 units

St. Louis is home to many significant architectural works of Mid-Century Modernism, design by local, national, and international architects of great repute. One of the most powerful ways to understand and appreciate architecture is to experience it firsthand. In this course, we will tour significant extant works after brief presentations of the design architect's work by the course lecturers or visiting lecturers. In addition to site visits, the course will involve architects and historians (to the greatest extent possible) who have firsthand knowledge and experiences of Mid-Century Modernism of St. Louis through lectures and site visits, culminating in a round table discussion with the class able to ask questions after a semester of exploration, discovery and focused investigation. Each week, students will document their observations of each site visit through writing, photography, sketching, diagramming concepts, and additional research of the architecture, architect or historical context. A private blog site will be created to post information and assignments so that all in the class may read and contribute to the body of research being developed. Also, each student will be expected to research a topic of their choice from a list of 20 or so buildings selected by the instructors. This semester project will culminate in a thirty-minute class presentation and subsequent discussion. Ultimately, the weekly and semester projects will be documented in an 8.5" x 11' format to be incorporated into a booklet documenting the student's cumulative efforts.