Grundkurs

More about the book

In this collection of lessons, architect and educator Pier Paolo Tamburelli explores the foundations of architecture, offering new perspectives on building the world. Developed for the ‘Grundkurs’ at Vienna Technical University, Tamburelli’s lessons are illustrated through annotated sketches that range from rough to precise, and from sarcastic to sincere, showcasing his unique expressiveness. This volume serves as a sourcebook of architectural ideas, providing an accessible introduction to the discipline that values intuitive processes like notetaking, drawing, and association over grand theories. The lessons revolve around dialectic pairs such as Roof/Wall, Shelter/Memory, and Language/Action, which are experimental and provocative, creating a framework for exploring architecture. Tamburelli highlights the power of images to transcend rigid theoretical constraints, embraces the wisdom of notes, and enjoys the intrigue of cryptic messages. These eight lessons, reproduced in full, offer numerous pathways through architecture, inviting both newcomers and experts to engage with this ancient discipline in a fresh and intimate way. The book includes an introduction by the author and an afterword by Mark Lee, Chair of the Department of Architecture at Harvard GSD.