ABN513 Contemporary Architectural Theory
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 code: | ABN513 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | DAN125, DAN108 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,900 |
| International unit fee | $5,616 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABN513 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | DAN108, DAN125 |
| Coordinator: | Andrew Leach | as.leach@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit explores the contemporary landscape of architectural thought from the late 1960s until the present. It will consider how architecture has been located in interdisciplinary terms as well as through its own disciplinary problems. It will locate the world of ideas in conversation with concrete architectural production, as an active agent through which the discipline of architecture responds to the world in which architecture is practiced, debated and defended. The unit serves as a platform for developing a critical vocabulary and a suite of ideas through which to advance your own design practice and your positions as an architect. It enhances your experience in design studio by fostering the intellectual skills needed to participate in global architectural debate and to make your own design projects theoretically rigorous.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Produce written and oral exposition of concepts, arguments, and theories through close reading and comprehension of works of architectural criticism, theory, and history and their impact on architectural production.
- Develop analysis, interpretations and arguments by building upon and responding to works of architectural criticism, theory and history.
- Theorise and contextualise architectural works or projects within the wider currents of international architectural debate.
Content
The unit will cover:
- The main lines in the development of architectural thought since the 1960s and their various historical origins.
- Key categories of architectural criticism and theory, including postmodernism, critical regionalism, functionalism, humanism, post-criticality, and globalisation.
- Significant architects, works, writings, exhibitions, and ideas that help make sense of the contemporary landscape of architectural thought.
Works, ideas and thinkers encountered will be both disciplinary and interdisciplinary, contributing in various ways to a contemporary library of written and built works that shape ideas on architecture in the present day.
Learning Approaches
Your learning in this unit will be fostered through:
- Weekly recorded lectures on concepts in contemporary architecture.
- Weekly recorded discussions on specific contributions to architectural debate.
- Weekly tasks in preparation for tutorial discussions.
- In-class tutorial process tasks and discussions in small groups, where you will engage with works of architectural literature and the terms in which it can be discussed and debated.
- Feedback on your ideas and academic practices to help you prepare for assessments, including how you engage with course content and the range of resources that can scaffold it, and how you prepare for examination.
- By actively participating in these activities, you will build an advanced capacity to articulate ideas and arguments, informing your positions in architectural practice.
By deep engagement with the major intellectual paradigms that influenced global contemporary architecture with its interdisciplinary sources, you will build on your undergraduate studies and knowledge as reflective practitioners with broad perspectives.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- In-class formative exercises
- Criteria-referenced assessment rubrics and written feedback
- Verbal feedback and discussion
Assessment
Overview
The assessments in this unit are designed to foster an advanced knowledge of contemporary architectural debate, engaging you in writing practices and discussion informing advanced critical observation, research, analysis, and comprehension of works and discussions. Drawing on foundational knowledge, exercises reinforce the role of criticism and the engagement with disciplinary thought as practices essential to a productive career in architecture. Assessment expectations will be provided through criteria referenced assessment rubrics, and also discussed during in-person classes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio of writing process exercises
The portfolio will gather the results of the first six weekly in-class analytical and writing exercises into a single submission, allowing for additional work in response to class discussion and reflection over the course of the first weeks of the semester.
Ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. Assessment 1 details in Canvas specify the conditions for this use.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Essay and Conference Presentation
You will develop a research essay in response to a set prompt provided in the unit. Building on the analytical and writing work undertaken in Assessment 1, the essay must present a clear, sustained argument grounded in close engagement with architectural criticism, theory and history, and situate projects or ideas within broader international debates.
In Weeks 11–13, you will also participate in a structured scholarly presentation and discussion. You will present the central argument of your essay and respond to questions from teaching staff, demonstrating clarity of thought and the ability to articulate and defend your position in architectural discourse. Training in presentation techniques and requirements will be embedded in the course.
The written essay contributes 30% to the unit grade. The scholarly presentation and discussion contribute 30% to the unit grade.
Ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. Assessment 2 details in Canvas specify the conditions for this use.
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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.
Resources
Specific resources and materials will be shared through the unit Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit is based in QUT teaching spaces, and as such there are no out of the ordinary risks or hazards.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE83 Master of Architecture
- Identifying, explaining and working with appropriate knowledge of architecture, its history and precedents and with knowledge of people, environments, culture, technology, history and ideas pertinent to architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO3, Portfolio of writing process exercises, Essay and Conference Presentation - Independently researching and evaluating emergent knowledge as it becomes necessary to fulfil the profession's role in society.
Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio of writing process exercises, Essay and Conference Presentation - Supporting their decision-making using evidence-based, reasoned argument and judgement pertaining to architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio of writing process exercises, Essay and Conference Presentation - Communicating with a variety of audiences in appropriate ways.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Portfolio of writing process exercises, Essay and Conference Presentation