Stefan Holzer: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name	Prof. Dr. Stefan Holzer
Field	Building Research and Construction History
Address	Bauforschung u.Konstruktionsgesch. ETH Zürich, HIT H 43.2 Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 633 01 46
E-mail	holzer@arch.ethz.ch
Department	Architecture
Relationship	Full Professor

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
051-1203-20L	Integrated Discipline Building Research and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Does not take place this semester.	3 credits	2U	S. Holzer
Abstract
Learning objective
052-0901-00L	Building History I	2 credits	2V	S. Holzer
Abstract	History of building from classical antiquity to modernity: building types, constructions, forms, with particular reference to functional issues such as flexibility of use, statics, durability.
Learning objective	Participants know the fundamentals of building history, including landmark monuments of each era, key historic constructions and forms. They are able to "read" a historic building and to relate it to building history.
Content	Building history I covers the period from classical Greek antiquity to Gothic architecture. The principal topics include construction issues such as Greek megalithic buidling, Roman mortar-and-rubble construction, and Gothic rationalism of vaulted architecture. Within the Vitruvian and Albertian triad of firmitas, utilitas and venustas, we focus on the first two topics, whereas the last topic (deciphering the "meaning" of architecture) stands at the heart of the "architectural history" lectures.
Lecture notes	Lecture slides are provided for download. The lecture will be recorded a priori. During normal lecture times, questions can be put online. Lecure notes will be provided (in German!)
Literature	Will be announced during the lectures.
Prerequisites / Notice	ACHTUNG: ONLINE-Unterricht - KEIN PRÄSENZUNTERRICHT - KEINE BUBBLES Die Vorlesung findet Online statt. Die Lehreinheiten wurden - angepasst an die CoViD-19-Situation - vorab im August 2020 aufgezeichnet. Ab 1. September 2020 können die Videos auf video.ethz.ch angeschaut oder heruntergeladen werden. Ausserdem stehen auf der website des Institutes, https://holzer.arch.ethz.ch/studium/vorlesungen.html auch die Vorlesungsfolien (als pdf) zum Download bereit. Auf https://holzer.arch.ethz.ch/studium/skripte.html finden Sie Skripte. WIR EMPFEHLEN IHNEN DRINGEND, DIE VORLESUNG WÄHREND DER REGULÄREN STUNDENPLANZEITEN ANZUSEHEN. WICHTIG: Wir stehen Ihnen während der Vorlesungszeit außerdem für direkte, individuelle Live-Interaktion per Mail, Zoom, oder auch persönlich zur Verfügung (Voranmeldung per Mail erforderlich). Nähere Informationen dazu folgen.
063-0355-20L	Building Research and Construction History (Thesis Elective)	6 credits	13A	S. Holzer
Abstract	The Elective Subject Degree Tests are meant to enable a deeper level of individual engagement with the contents of the elective subjects. Topics of electives can be elaborated into elective degree tests.
Learning objective	The general aim of this intensification is teaching competency in analysis and interpretation in the following areas: knowledge of artifacts, dynamics of systems, historical contexts, history of knowledge and theory as well as an approach to scholarly work.
Content	Contents depend on the specific curriculum of each semester and will be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor. Independent study is possible, however, only after consultation.
063-0901-00L	Construction History: The Construction Site and Its Technology	2 credits	2G	S. Holzer
Abstract	History of the construction site and its technology
Learning objective	Introduction to Construction History and the so-called "building archeology": ability to perform a "close reading" of historic built fabric, based on an in-depth knowledge on historic production techniques, both in the workshop and on the construction site itself.
Content	This lecture series deals with the history of the production of buildings. This history draws heavily on pictorial and archival sources, but the lecture will always establish the link to traces observable on site. In that sense, the lecture is an introduction to the wide topic of "building archeology". Among others, we will cover the following topics: - construction materials, tools and tooling of construction elements - material flow and economic boundary conditions of the construction site - construction site technology and construction machinery (scaffolding, cranes, etc.) - historic methods of architectural planning - history of building production This lecture is closely related to current research projects.
Lecture notes	PDFs of the lecture slides will be provided before the lecture. Furthermore, the audience will be granted access to recent journal articles and book chapters providing in-depth insight into the topics covered by the lecture.
063-0903-00L	Case Studies Construction History and Building Preservation (HS) Limited to 40 students. Each enrolment requires an uninterrupted visit throughout the semester. Cancellation (incl. deletion of enrolment) is permitted until 20.9.20, 24 h.	4 credits	2G	S. Holzer
Abstract	Acquiring in-depth knowledge of construction history and building archeology by means of detailed study of selected historic monuments. The course will start with a multi-part classroom introduction, followed by field studies in small groups.
Learning objective	The participants will gain in-depth knowledge on the methodology of building archeology by means of the documentation and interpretation of real historic structures in on-site studies.
Content	We study historic constructions in German-speaking Switzerland (individual small groups, objects within 2 hrs public transport reach from ETH Hoenggerberg). Each group will be assigned an individual tutor (PhD student) who will be present on-site, on individual appointment. We will survey, document and analyze a historic construction, with particular attention to production traces, constructive detail and laod-carrying system. We will start with introductory classroom lectures and on-site teaching during the first third of the semester. This will be followed by individual investigations on site. The progress will be pinpointed in three critiques: 1) on site, with individual tutor 2) at institute, with professor and institute members 3) final delivery, at institute, with professor and all institute members The detailed schedule of the case studies can be found here: http://www.holzer.arch.ethz.ch/en/education/case-studies.html Each enrolment obliges the student to visit all compulsory dates during the entire semester without interruption.
Lecture notes	Detailed instructions on on-site investigations, as well as manuscripts on the background, will be provided. It is mandatory to read them in due time!
Literature	Will be announced during the introductory lectures
Prerequisites / Notice	Elementary knowledge of architectural history and construction. Semester program: 25.9.20: On site introduction, Rümlang (Glattbrücke). Courses in HIL E 7 until end of October. Group work on the object or individual work (at home). Intermediate crits and final crits at the IDB (HIT, H Level). Details will follow in due time.
063-0953-20L	Subject Semester HS20 in the Field of Historic Building Research and Conservation (IDB, Prof Holzer) Only for Architecture MSc, Programme Regulations 2017. A student can only register once for a "Fachsemester" during the Master studies!	14 credits	29A	S. Holzer, T. Avermaete, M. Delbeke, P. Ursprung
Abstract	The subject semester (to choose out of two topics) includes the individual, independent processing of a specific task, whereby the relevance of the respective discipline is examined with regard to the specific architectural and design aspects of the task.
Learning objective	The subject semester includes the individual, independent processing of a specific task, whereby the relevance of the respective discipline is examined with regard to the specific architectural and design aspects of the task.
Content	TOPIC 1 (to choose from): Baroque period alterations to late Gothic vaults in Bavaria and Upper Austria Analogous to the construction principle of a wedge arch, masonry vaults are only stable when they are finished and closed. Opening a vault - for example for renovations or repairs - is therefore a delicate operation in which the stability of the entire structure is at stake. Nevertheless, such interventions were carried out in earlier centuries with the technical means available at that time. Methods and techniques that were used in historical vault conversions can be examined using a group of late Gothic churches in southeastern Bavaria and neighboring Upper Austria. These churches, which were built in the 15th century, are characterized by a common architectural feature: a pillar arranged in the central axis of the nave forms the central support of the vaults. This central pillar, which stood in the line of sight in front of the choir room and the high altar, was perceived as disturbing in the Baroque period, so it was removed in some cases. The vaults were usually not completely replaced, but only around the pillar removed and then - with a significantly larger span - closed again. How exactly such an operation took place has not yet been clarified and will be investigated as part of the semester through building research at several churches. To do this, the geometry of the vault is first recorded using a 3D laser scan. Traces of the renovation are documented in drawings and photographs. Insightful Findings can be found mainly on the top of the vault, i.e. in the attic of the church, e.g. Iron slugs with which the newly inserted vault was suspended from the wooden roof. A comparison of the different vaults should clarify to what extent the methods of the baroque master builders differ from case to case. Explanation of the findings from the investigation in a written paper (approx. 20 pages, plans, illustrations). Building research on the vaults: approx. Three work campaigns, each lasting several days. Objects of investigation: Churches of Anger and Tacherting, Spitalkirche von Braunau, Church of Hochburg-Ach. Information: Clemens Voigts voigts@arch.ethz.ch. TOPIC 2: The roof structure of the parish church of St. John the Baptist in Bernhardzell SG The parish church in Bernhardzell SG, consecrated in 1779, is the main work of the Vorarlberg master builder Johann Ferdinand Beer (1731–1789). This church, consecrated to John the Baptist, stands out from the typical St. Gallen country churches of saddle-roofed hall buildings in two ways: firstly, it is a central building and secondly, it is covered by a mansard roof. The aim of the semester is to thoroughly examine and document the almost 17 m wide roof structure of the Berhandzell Church. This includes an outline of the planning and construction history based on the published research literature. The history of the restoration of the church in the 20th century is to be processed using the tangible files in the archives. In addition to a detailed description, a 3D model of the roof structure including the cross arms is created, which is to serve as the basis for cuts along the main trusses. For individual nodes, such as the head and foot zones of the mansard construction and the hanging columns, isometric exploded views are to be created, at which the hidden carpentry-like connections and the built-in iron elements can be seen. In addition to the system of symbols, the various traces of processing and manufacturing on the wood are meticulously documented. The aim of the work will also be to didactically process the complex construction using the 3D model, plans and photos in order to make the roof of the church in Bernhardzell familiar to a wider audience.
Prerequisites / Notice	A student can only register once for a "Fachsemester" during the Master studies! The requirements for this subject semester are interest in the material as well as experience with and knowledge of historical wooden structures and the methods of building research. Ideally, the student has heard Prof. Holzer's lectures on construction history or does so during the semester. It is also beneficial to have attended the case studies exercise.