Why study the history of architecture?

Abstract

Based on the discussions held at the International Colloquium“The Genesis of modern rationalities: Around Alberti” (IEAT/NPGAU/School of Architecture/UFMG, Belo Horizonte, April2011), this article investigates the reasons for studying the historyof architecture, considering the teaching of architecture andurbanism, the design practice, and the art of building. Thisauthor first provides ten reasons for doing so, ranging from theneed to do justice to the possibilities revealed by a project ofarchitecture and urbanism to the need to give new parameters forthe creation and teaching of architecture and urbanism byintroducing the specificity of its rationality, its language, and itsspeech and limiting our impulsive adherence to what iscontingent and to the location. The problems to be solved by aproject go beyond these demands and dialogue with a context andtradition that do not present themselves immediately. The historyof architecture is valuable to the purpose of establishing thisdialogue in the varied meanings which were given to it throughModernism and Postmodernism.