MOA271 Aesthetics, architecture and cultural environments

Contents and structure

The course provides an introduction to aesthetics, building practices, and architectural history. The course is based on the Norwegian Planning and Building Act as a tool for ensuring the aesthetic design of project surroundings and protection of cultural environments in a development area. Emphasis is placed on the planning process, the connection between the plan and the building case, and the analysis methods used to identify and describe the aesthetic qualities of buildings and locations. Assessment of architectural quality in new building projects and planning issues related to the use of aesthetic tools are central to a project assignment that students must prepare. In addition, there is a mandatory assignment on protection and development in a transformation area that must be presented and discussed in plenary.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

The student

• Has advanced knowledge of preservation values and principles for the evaluation of cultural heritage assets and cultural environments.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the relationship between the Planning and Building Act and the Cultural Heritage Act.
• Can utilize analytical methods to identify and describe the aesthetic design of project surroundings.

Skills

The student

• Can identify and assess cultural heritage and create thematic maps for cultural environments based on this analysis.
• Can develop land-use plans and regulations for the protection of cultural environments and the aesthetic design of project surroundings.
• Can evaluate and explain the consequences of various development initiatives within a cultural environment.

General competence

The student

• Understands how to create physical frameworks that promote sustainable development.
• Can communicate both with specialists and to the general public about disciplinary planning problems, analyses, and conclusions.

Entry requirements

The study's admission requirements.

Teaching methods

Lectures, discussions and excursions combined with practice assignments. Group work on cases. Written and oral presentations.

The course will be given in intensive sessions during the semester.

Compulsory learning activities

One mandatory assignment:

A mandatory assignment on protection and development in a transformation area that must be presented and discussed in plenary.

Assessment

A letter grade (A-F) will be appended based on the following examination parts:

• A semester assignment (groupwork) of up to 5000 words (40%)
• Oral examination, 30 minutes (60%)

In case of continuation, the students can choose to retake one of the examination parts and keep the grade from the other examination part.

Examination support material

Semester assignment: All support material is permitted.

Oral exam: No support material.

More about examination support material