ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE CURRICULUM 3 ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE CURRICULUM: The Case Study on AE and its Relationship to Architecture MARCI S. UIHLEIN University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ABSTRACT This paper studies the curricular development of an early architectural engineering program in a department of architecture seeking to add to the discourse on the position of technology in architectural education. In 1891 the first known university program for Architectural Engineering was started at the University of Illinois in conjunction with the architecture program. In essence, it is an early example of an intentional specialization of architectural education to focus on the teaching of technology. This program will be used as a case study to investigate its origins and how its creation influenced the teaching of architecture. Was this curricular focus on architecture and engineering in 1891 at the University of Illinois unique or did other architecture programs have architectural engineering components? Did the architecture program at Illinois change once this additional focus was added? Where is architectural engineering today? To begin to answer these questions, this paper will study the relationship between architecture and architectural engineering at the early stages of this program and briefly outline what followed. KEYWORDS architectural education, architectural engineering, architectural technology, history INTRODUCTION and architectural engineering at the early stages of one program, that of the University of Illinois. The term ‘architectural engineering’ inherently An overview of architectural engineering in addresses technology in architecture. The field, it schools of architecture will provide context to this appears, began to come together as a discipline program. In addition, a broad look at AE in the United States in the 1890s when programs will be used to gauge the tone of universities sought to create curricula with architecture’s approach to technology. architectural engineering as its focus. The first program was formed in conjunction with a school RICKER’S PROGRAM of architecture. The questions that arose from the discovery of this program will be the focus of The University of Illinois was chosen for study this study. Was this curricular focus on because it appears to be the original self- architecture and engineering in 1891 at the identified architectural engineering program; it University of Illinois unique or did other was created in conjunction with an architectural architecture programs have architectural program; and the ease of access to the records. engineering components? Did the architecture This university was one of the early architecture program at Illinois change once this additional programs as well. An examination of the two focus was added? Where is architectural curricula provides an opportunity to seek answers engineering today? to questions such as: What was the division between technology classes in the two types of To begin to answer these questions, this paper programs? Did this change with the arrival of an will study the relationship between architecture architectural engineering curriculum? A BTES CONFERENCE 2013 – TECTONICS OF TEACHING 4 ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE CURRICULUM comparison of the two programs can provide scientific side because it has been my insight into both educational areas and their aim to send out graduates who were well development. grounded in the principles of scientific construction.6 N. Clifford Ricker’s Development The Illinois Industrial University (later to become An example of this is Ricker’s introduction of the University of Illinois) began an architecture graphic statics to the program in 1878, believed program within the College of Engineering in to be first in any architecture program. However, 1868. This was the second formal architectural Ricker understood the importance of design. As program in the United States behind the he stated in the same discussion, “Correct taste Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the and power of designing form the keystone in the university system.1 N. Clifford Ricker enrolled in education of the architect…”7 The structure of the program in January 1870 and studied under a the University of Illinois’ architecture curriculum Swedish architect, Harald M. Hansen, who can thus be examined through the multiple himself had studied at the Bauakademie, in emphases of design and technology. Berlin. Through his own personal endeavors, Ricker graduated in March 1873. His was the Architecture at Illinois first architecture degree conferred by a university In the 1871 Annual Circular, the architecture in the United States. Upon graduation, Ricker curriculum was described as very similar to the was approached by Regent John Milton Gregory civil engineering program with the addition of to become an instructor in the program. Ricker “Architectural drawing, the principles and styles accepted the appointment with the condition that of Architecture, the history of Architecture, and he was to travel and study in Europe for six plans and estimates for buildings of all kinds.”8 months. Upon his return to the campus, Ricker Hansen’s influence can be seen in the later and advanced quickly. By 1875, he was a full more articulated ‘Course of Study.’ The professor and appointed dean of the College of differences between the civil and architectural Engineering in 1878. Ricker was the sole program started to increase and architectural instructor for the School of Architecture for the design was added to the final year of the next decade. He not only taught but revised the curriculum. In the 1873-74 academic year, when curriculum.2 The architecture program became Ricker began as an instructor, the intent of the very much his own. program went from training someone for the ‘profession of Architect’ to an elaborated list of Ricker found inspiration for his architectural three objective points. These goals included philosophy from the German polytechnical model ‘knowledge of scientific principles,’ of the Baukademie, where he had briefly studied, ‘furnishing…an extensive, varied, and thorough and the ‘Russian Tool System’ led by Victor Della course of practice,’ and ‘knowledge of Vos, which he saw at the 1873 Vienna construction.’9 Courses that were devised to Exposition. He incorporated these educational meet these new intentions included ‘Elements of models into his curriculum.3 The German Construction,’ ‘Heat and Ventilation,’ and ‘Shop polytechnical model was a common influence in Practice’ modeled after the Russian program.10 In early architectural education that would addition, two terms of design courses were eventually be replaced by the ubiquitous Beaux added for a total of three. Arts pedagogy.4 Nonetheless, Ricker’s program has been described as ‘practical,’ technical, and In a report to the AIA in 1887, Ricker expressed meeting the needs of a ‘speculation-based real some frustration with the need for economy that estate economy.’5 Whatever the case, the tone required architects to take classes with other of the adjectives gives an indication that Illinois’ units in the college. As he stated, “The technical architecture program placed emphasis on instruction proper must therefore be arranged understanding building technology. Ricker with reference to this fact,…” which meant that commented on this perception, the courses could not be specialized for the educational needs of the architects.11 Ricker’s Possibly the aesthetical side of the revised architectural course structure, with minor education of the architect has been less exceptions, remained a combination of fully developed than the practical and mathematics, physics, shop practice, languages, ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE CURRICULUM 5 history-architectural and otherwise, drawing, program contained mathematics (Algebra building construction, and architectural design through Integral Calculus), languages, drawing, until the fall of 1893. The multiple goals of architectural history, sanitary construction, and architectural, practical, scientific training as well construction methods, which included shop work as educating well-rounded intellectuals can be for wood, stone, brick, and metal. Many courses seen in the examination of the list of classes. were also similar in the fourth year. Both bodies of students were to take further drawing The First Architectural Engineering Program (architectural perspective), ‘Heating and In 1891, N. Clifford Ricker started architectural Ventilation’, ‘Superintendence, Estimates, and engineering at the University of Illinois. In the Specifications, and design. The architecture 1890s, one of the primary factors that appeared students went on to have more drawing/water to be influencing Ricker’s decision to start the color classes, modeling, and the ‘Esthetics of program was a significant change in building Architecture.’ The architectural engineering construction that was occurring with the advent of students added three courses in building the skeleton frame in the decade prior. The structures, “Masonry Construction, Bridge proximity of the program to Chicago may have Analysis, and Bridge Design.”15 also been a contributor to its creation. In any case, it was clear that a new type of construction Some observations about the initial program can was going to be incorporated into the field and be made. Keeping to Ricker’s idea that these needed to be learned. Among other things, the students serve the architecture