Julika Gittner

London: a sprawling megalopolis or still a collection of villages?  Exploring the 2000 years of London's expansion through its architecture, we will look not only at the great monuments but also at the everyday life of the city. Focusing on the key periods of urban development and architectural styles in comparison with other European cities will reveal the unique qualities of London's architecture. Discussing the relevant social, political and economic conditions of the city's development in a series of introductory lectures will form the background to a series of city walks. We will look at churches and shipyards, highways and alleys, palaces and pumping stations, stately homes and council estates to experience the different stages of London's expansion. A critically informed understanding of the urban surrounding will allow us to develop our own historical map of the city's architecture.

This course may include site visits during the weekend.

Julika Gittner is an artist and architect. She is a Studio Master at the University of Cambridge, leading the First Year on the BA in Architecture.