ABB213 Modern Architecture


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:ABB213
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:ABB105 or DYB112 or ABB108 or DYB114 or UXB130 or ABD105 or ABD108
Equivalent:DAB200
Coordinator:Andrew Leach | as.leach@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces you to modern architecture and its continuing impact on architectural practice today. You will explore key architectural ideas, movements, and project from the late nineteenth century through to the present and examine how architecture has responded to changes in society, technology and culture.

Through lectures, readings and tutorial discussions, you will learn how architects have understood and debated modernity, and how these debates continue to shape contemporary architectural thinking. The unit builds on the historical and spatial knowledge developed in ABB105 Spatial Materiality and ABB108 Spatial Histories, and supports your learning in design studios by strengthening your ability to describe, analyse and discuss architecture. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Investigate and critically analyse architectural history by engaging with relevant sources, evaluating historical contexts, and synthesising information to develop informed insights.
  2. Identify, interpret, critically analyse and debate selected architectural works.
  3. Use knowledge of architectural history and criticism to actively contribute to group discussions in tutorials.
  4. Apply knowledge of architectural history in formal discussion and examination contexts.

Content

The unit will cover:

  • The main lines in the development of architectural thought since the 1960s and their various historical origins.
  • Key ideas and developments in twentieth-century architecture and their import for the present century.
  • The impact of social, cultural and technological change on architecture as a practice and as a discipline.
  • A wide range of architects, from canonical figures of the last century to a range of often overlooked architects, architectural actors, and geographies.
  • Key categories of architectural criticism and history, including postmodernism, critical regionalism, functionalism, and humanism.

Lectures will examine significant architects, works, writings, exhibitions, and ideas that help make sense of the many legacies of the modern movement. You will be introduced to architects and works in the context of their time, helping you understand the way architecture has changed over the last half century; and how this can inform how you think about and practice architecture in the present day.

Learning Approaches

In this unit, you will learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials and weekly presentation tasks. Each week you will:

  • follow recorded lectures introducing key themes in modern and postmodern architecture
  • engage with recorded discussion of selected architectural works
  • complete short preparation tasks to support tutorial discussion
  • participate in small-group tutorials where you analyse and debate architectural ideas and projects

You will recieve feedback through tutorial discussions, comments on Canvas, and assessment rubrics. These activities will help you build confidence in discussing architectural history and prepare you for future design studios and advanced theory and history units.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided the following ways:

  • peer feedback in tutorial class discussions and debates
  • individual verbal feedback from your tutor in tutorials
  • comments/feedback through the ABB213 Canvas site
  • criterion-referenced assessment rubrics that describe standards of achievement against specific assessment criteria

Assessment

Overview

The assessments in this unit are designed to support your learning across the semester. You will first develop skills in research, note-making, and critical analysis through a research notebook. You will then be assessed on your ongoing engagement in tutorial discussions, before completing a final examination that brings together the ideas and themes explored across the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Notebook

Submit an electronic copy of your first four weeks' handwritten notes for this unit of study. It will include summary notes, sketches, quotations, and short written reflections that demonstrate your developing understanding of key themes, architectural works and debates introduced in the first four weeks of the unit. It does not need to be curated, or very neat. Feedback on this submission will support your preparation for the examination at the end of semester.
This notebook focuses on your engagement with the content and discussion of this unit of study. It may include notes towards research, interpretation and analysis of architectural projects, figures, books and ideas you have encountered in the course, and provides an opportunity for feedback to support your preparation for later assessments. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: Complete record of notes from the first four weeks (variable length, depending on the size of the notebook, handwriting, diagrams, etc).
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Tutorial Engagement Portfolio

From Week 5 to Week 13, you are required to submit one slide in five nominated tutorial weeks (scheduled in agreement with your tutor and documented in Canvas). In each selected week, you will submit a single PDF or PowerPoint slide responding to the published criteria. Each slide must present one work of architecture with relevant information (architect, date, location, etc.). Submissions will be used to structure tutorial discussion in the relevant week.

Assessment is based on the quality of your preparatory submissions and your informed contribution to the associated tutorial discussions. You are expected to draw on your selected examples, engage with peers’ contributions, and participate in critical analysis and debate.

Your final mark will be calculated from your best three of the five completed weeks, taking into account both preparation and in-class contribution. As submissions are integral to specific tutorials, slides must be uploaded by the stated deadline for the nominated week. This assessment is not eligible for the 48-hour late submission period or extensions.

Weight: 20
Length: Between week 5 and 13, 5 weekly submissions of one slide or PDF showing architectural work and relevant data, in preparation for the tutorial discussion.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): This task will take place between weeks 5 and 13 with individual participation scheduled on five of those weeks as per information provided on Canvas with each submission due in advance of the relevant tutorial.
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Examination

The examination evaluates your understanding of modern architecture, drawing on material covered in lectures, tutorials, and readings. You will demonstrate your ability to critically interpret architectural history across its broad origins, from early modern developments through major twentieth‑century movements, and its responses to shifts in society, technology, ideas, and culture.
The examination is open book. Students may consult their unit of study notebook and any supplementary printed matter they bring into the examination venue. No use of electronic devices is permitted, nor any communication with parties within or outside the examination venue.

 

 

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Please see the ABB213 Canvas site for online resources and the set texts for this unit.

Risk Assessment Statement

All students and staff are required to complete the General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

AB05 Bachelor of Architectural Design

  1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills in architecture.
    Relates to: Notebook , Tutorial Engagement Portfolio, Examination
  2. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative architectural solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
    Relates to: Notebook , Examination
  3. Communicate architectural knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
    Relates to: Notebook , Tutorial Engagement Portfolio, Examination
  4. Plan, develop and complete architectural research and projects.
    Relates to: Notebook , Examination
  5. Reflect on feedback and experience, and display professional and ethical judgment and initiative.
    Relates to: Tutorial Engagement Portfolio