Hans R. Morgenthaler studied art history at the University in Zürich, Switzerland and at Stanford University, where he received his Ph.D. degree in 1984. He is professor in the College of Architecture and Planning, where he teaches architectural history lecture courses and seminars in 20th-century architectural history and theory. He has widely published on the work of Erich Mendelsohn. Subsequently, his research has focused on investigations of the cultural significance and meaning of Modern architecture. In 2015 he published a book in which empathy is used to generate new interpretations and understanding of Modern buildings. His current project expands on the potential of empathy to produce more genuine human reactions to architectural environments. He analyzes how empathy has impacted later 20th-century architectural design theory and exploits this perspective to establish how cities and buildings manage to provide psychologically, socially, and culturally relevant places for human activities and achievements.
RECENT COURSES TAUGHT
- Architectural History I
- Architectural History II
- History of Architecture I
- History of Architecture II
- Technological Modernism
- Vitruvian Theory
Education, Licensure & Certifications
DEGREES HELD
- MA & PhD, Stanford University
- Lic. Phil. I , University of Zürich
Affiliations
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- Society of Architectural Historians
- College Art Association
- ACSA
- Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture
Research
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- European Modernism
- Theories of Creativity and Reception
Publications and Presentations
PUBLICATIONS
- 2007 The Architect’s History of Architecture (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company)
- 2000 “’Why should we be laymen with respect to art?’ The Formative Years 1910-1919,” and “’It will be hard for us to find a home.’ Projects in the United States 1941-1953,” in Erich Mendelsohn Architect 1887-1953. The Monacelli Press.
- 2003 s.v. "Mario Botta," "Expressionism," "Erich Mendelsohn," and "Switzerland." Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Architecture. Fitzroy-Dearborn Publishers.
- 1999 “’Why should we be laymen with respect to art?’ The Formative Years 1910-1919,” and “’It will be hard for us to find a home.’ Projects in the United States 1941-1953,” in Erich Mendelsohn, Dynamics and Function: Realized Visions of a Cosmopolitan Architect. Hatje Cantz Publishers.
- 1998 Chapter 1: “’Wie sollten wir der Kunst gegenüber Laien sein?’ Jahre der Prägung und Orientierung 1910-1918,” and Chapter 11: “’Es wird schwierig sein, eine Wohnung für uns zu finden.’ Arbeiten in den USA 1941-1953,”in Erich Mendelsohn: Gebaute Welten. Verlag Gerd Hatje
- 1995 “Chronology versus System: Unleashing the Creative Potential of Architectural History.” Journal of Architectural Education 48 (May):218-226.
- 1993 s.v. "August Endell," "Ely Jacques Kahn," "Karl Moser," "Rudolf Schindler," and "Bernard Tschumi." International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture. St James Press.
- 1992 The Early Sketches of German Architect Erich Mendelsohn: No Compromise with Reality. The Edwin Mellen Press
- 1991 "Erich Mendelsohn in the USA: Nuclear Physics and Urban Design." Selected Works: Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. 1990 Conference. Washington. pp. 59-65.
- 1991 s.v. "Reichlin/Reinhard: Casa Tonini." Contemporary Masterworks. St. James Press.
- 1990 "Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle: Opportunity Lost and Found?" AVANT GARDE 4 (Summer):58-71.
- 1989 "The Early Sketches of Erich Mendelsohn: The Search for an Industrial Metaphor." AVANT GARDE 2 (Summer ): 28-3
- 1987 Erich Mendelsohn, 1887-1953: An Annotated Bibliography. Vance Bibliographies
- 1980 Universität Zürich. Gesellschaft für Schweizerische Kunstgeschichte. (Co-author).
