Welcome to Forethought India One-on-One Courses. Our program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen profession. Our instructor for this course is Lecturer Diego Grass at Harvard University Graduate School of Design
"Reconstructing Architectural Discourse: Theory, Critique, and Innovation" is an engaging and comprehensive course that delves into the multifaceted world of architectural theory, critique, and forward-thinking innovation. This course aims to provide a holistic understanding of the evolution of architectural discourse, starting from its historical roots to its contemporary and future trends. It explores the philosophical, sociocultural, and environmental influences on architectural theories while dissecting the critical components and methods used in architectural critique. With a focus on innovation, students will analyze elements that drive innovation in architecture, studying case examples and future trends. The course navigates through diverse topics such as sustainability, technology's impact, interdisciplinary approaches, urbanism, ethical considerations, and the implications of globalization on architectural design. Through a series of carefully curated lectures, students are encouraged to engage in discussions, presentations, and explore cutting-edge concepts, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving field of architecture.
At the end of the program, students will receive a certificate & performance letter by the educator indicating that they have completed the program and acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen profession.
Architectural Discourse: Theory, Critique, & Innovation, by Diego Grass
Diego Grass (1983–) studied architecture at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He joined Izquierdo Lehmann Architects as an associate from 2009 to 2011. In 2012, he founded Plan Común with Felipe de Ferrari, leaving in 2016 to form GRASS+BATZ. Together with Thomas Batzenschlager, they collaborate with NGOs on renovations of existing structures for new social interest programs.
He has done audiovisual surveys about architecture since 2006 –interviews and portraits of buildings– with all his productions compiled at online database OnArchitecture (www.onarchitecture.com, co-founded with Felipe de Ferrari and Claudio Mesa). This archive includes more than 300 videos of buildings and 200 interviews with architects all over the world, entirely produced by Diego and Felipe.
Diego’s work has been featured at venues such as Venice Architecture Biennale, Gallery MA (Tokyo), Swiss Architecture Museum and Vitra Design Museum, or publications like A+U, Casabella, 2G, Archithese and ARQ (Chile). He has been invited as lecturer or guest crit at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo University of Science, Yokohama National University, the Architectural Association, UCLA and The University of Texas at Austin.
His academic interests are wide and include architecture videography, Japanese architecture, Chilean architecture, funerary architecture and homelessness. Based in Santiago, he teaches at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2014–) and Harvard University Graduate School of Design (2020–).