Alvin Boyarsky and his System: The Evolution of the Pedagogical Programme in London Architectural Association in the 1960-1980s

Abstract

One of the most exciting periods on the history of London Architectural Association was in the 1960–1980s, when Alvyn Boyarsky became its director and the school turned into a true experimental field for the post-reconstruction generation, bringing up today’s world architecture leaders. The school’s graduates are the heroes of contemporary architecture, sensitive to the historical urban context, architectural genealogy and the complexity of human everyday life in general. Some of the issues raised during that period are still relevant in contemporary urban development. The current paper is a study of AA’s educational methods and programmes, with a focus on the main research topics, best diploma projects, and extracurricular activities. Education for Boyarski was a way to create an environment for experimentation and critical thinking, so he supported any student undertaking — from costumed carnivals and elephant riding to music records and student magazines. This was the reform carried out by Boyarski: he completely changed the structure of the studying process by proposing the “unit system” as the base model (which he himself called the “well-laid table”). The paper is devoted to the history of London Architectural Association of the 1960s–1980s, the urban problems faced by the generation that succeeded the generation of the postwar Reconstruction, and the methods of teaching developed during these years under the leadership of Alvin Boyarski.