CFP for Charrette Journal: Architectural history isn't what it used to be

Charrette, the journal of the Association of Architectural Educators (AAE), first published in 2013, is now well established as a pioneering journal for academics, practitioners, and theorists engaged in design teaching practices and theoretical debates. For this issue (Volume 9, Issue 2), Charrette invites papers - essays, projects/narratives, polemics and book reviews - on the history of architectural history. It seeks to question the place of architectural history in progressive pedagogy and forward-looking, radical forms of architectural education and practice.

History, of course, is not a stable or singular entity, and therefore nor is its place in the discipline and practice of architecture. Increasingly marginalised within architectural education, history is often derisively understood merely as ‘text’ or a context, as something separate from, though vaguely supportive of, the core discipline of design.

To many, it inextricably circulates with the nebula of ‘theory’ or – more concretely – it is merely a receptacle of precedents and typologies, almost infinitely so as the information matrix continues to grow exponentially.

‘Architectural History isn’t What It Used to Be’ explores whether history might actively contribute to the reinvigoration of built environment practices needed to deal effectively with a range of intersecting challenges to humanity and the planet. This issue will interrogate not only what history is for but also investigate what diverse histories can tell us about the imbalances of the present and how historical methods can be creatively deployed to make the future work better than the past. Moreover, history underpins our modern conception of heritage – of historic environments. In an age of Climate Emergency, working sensitively and imaginatively with what we have, connecting architectural history with natural history, built environments with natural environments, is an urgent obligation.

EOIs are due 7 December 2022.

More information can be found here.

If you're interested in submitting an EOI but would like to discuss your ideas first with BEL+T, do reach out!