The idea of type, first formulated by Quatremère de Quincy in his Historical Dictionary of Architecture of 1832, is central to current architectural discourse and in particular to efforts that seek to integrate aspects of theory, education, and practice. Yet, it is also an idea that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted.

This seminar first examines the genesis and evolution of the idea of type and the validity of definitions of this idea offered by a number of authors. Then, it addresses the implications of a typological perspective for current issues in theory, scholarship, methods, and practice in architecture and urban design.

The seminar is organized around lectures, readings, and discussions. In addition, students are encouraged to search for connections between ideas discussed in the seminar and their design work by engaging in typological investigations of their current or past studio projects.

In addition to Quatremère de Quincy's work, readings includes articles and chapters from authors such as Argan, Barthes, Calquhoun, Cuff, Gutman, Vidler, Andrea Kahn, Lavin, Moneo, Oechslin, Pevsner, Rossi, Sennett, Vernez-Moudon, and Vidler.

Every other week, students produce a brief essay that provides a critical synthesis of readings and discussions. Such essays become the basis for a final paper that summarizes the course experience.

Professor Guido Francescato is the author of "Type and the Possibility of an Architectural Scholarship" (in Franck, K, and L. Schneekloth, eds., Ordering Space: Types in Architecture and Design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1994). With assistance of a grant from the Graham Foundation, he is currently at work on a book entitled Architecture and the Idea of Type. He has also published a number of works on housing, urban design, environmental design research, and environmental psychology.