Twenty-first Century Architecture

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

Admission to Master of Architecture

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject offers a broad introduction to contemporary theories and methods used in the production and critique of architecture in the context of current practice.

Architectural concepts such as program, diagram, transparency, tectonics, materiality, and ornament will be explored along with the contemporary manifestations of landscape urbanism, digital technologies, ecological sustainability, and biomimicry in design. The subject provides a perspective within which contemporary architectural polemics and strategies can be understood so that students can approach their own practice with the knowledge of existing contemporary theories of design.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Understand and articulate a broad range of contemporary architectural theories.
• Identify the major architectural thinkers, their philosophical positions and the debates between them.
• Develop a disciplinary vocabulary based in architectural discourse.
• Investigate a particular architectural theory for critical debate and to develop it for their own design practice and criticism.

Weekly lecture and tutorial attendance and participation (15%)

8 weekly summaries (25%)

Book review due in week 6 (25%)

Manifesto outline due in week 7 (7%)

Manifesto draft due in week 10 (14%)

Manifesto final due at the end of semester (14%)

TBA

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Use and citation of sources
• Written and verbal presentation of ideas
• Essay and report writing
• Ability to analyse social and cultural contexts
• Application of generic theories to specific examples