Persisting Beaux-Arts Practices in Architectural Education: Architectural History and Theory Teaching at the Auckland School of Architecture, 1927-1969

Abstract

Since its establishment in the last quarter of the seventeenth century, École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts de Paris was regarded as the leading institution for the education of architects and artists. From the nineteenth century, Beaux-Arts principles and teaching methodology resonated in the English speaking world. Architectural schools in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia employed the French system as the basis for the development of their individual curricula. When New Zealand got its first School of Architecture at Auckland University College in 1917, Beaux-Arts influences extended even further across the globe. This article focuses on the persistence of Beaux-Arts influences in New Zealand architectural education. To set the scene, the relevance of the French school as the model for New Zealand architectural education is examined first. The second part introduces the importance of historical study for the Beaux-Arts tradition. Finally, maintaining that they were the primary carriers of the Beaux-Arts influences in the School curriculum, the article focuses on the history and theory courses. Exploring the official reading lists for history and theory courses, the article traces the gradual transformation of the French tradition at the Auckland School through a period of forty years, from 1927 to 1969. Which books were architectural students encouraged to read? What knowledge was deemed necessary? To answer these questions the article makes particular use of book lists published the annual School Prospectus. The enquiry into the theoretical underpinning of the Auckland School programme confirms the longevity of the French principles in New Zealand architectural education.