11195 Modern American Architecture

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2021 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Through fieldwork, and photographic and drawn analysis, students consider the relationship between the diverse practices of architecture and American modernity. They also question the relevance of theories of modernity on contemporary architectural practices. The subject develops students' ability to understand architecture as built form through experiencing key case studies from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in North America. Themes considered may include influences from Europe; technologies influencing new design attitudes; the importance of the domestic dwelling unit and single houses in modern considerations of spatial division; the impact of print media and exhibition on architectural attitudes; and the link between architecture and contemporary art practices.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1.	Display an understanding of the differences in knowledge gained through empirical rather than scholarly research of architecture.
2.	Achieve a basic competency in using drawing and photography as analytical tools in architecture and landscape architecture
3.	Be more effective verbal and visual communicators, both in delivery and in content.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Develop innovative approaches by challenging disciplinary conventions (I.1)
Creative synthesis of complex ideas, arguments and rationales that address an array of social, technical and environmental practices (I.2)
Test technique-led architectural design processes against a range of architectural concerns (P.1)
Employ critical thinking to evidence an awareness of past and contemporary disciplinary thinking (R.3)

Teaching and learning strategies

This block-mode subject is delivered through a group of site visits in North America and involves self-directed learning. The site visits form the focus for discussion forums that inform individual investigation of buildings and landscapes visited. As well as noting discussion there is an expectation that students draw and photograph aspects of each venue to include in their reflective diary. After site visits students are required to reflect on the knowledge gained from books compared to that experienced on site.

Collaborative learning

UTS believes that collaborative peer learning enhances students' understanding of subject areas. Students are encouraged to work in discussion clusters and teams throughout the trip to support each other's learning.

Online coursework

A number of online resources are sequentially uploaded onto the subject's Facebook page. All others resources are accessible from UTS Online.

Feedback

Because of the intensity of the trip only verbal feedback is offered during the study tour. Written feedback and grades are given through ReView.

The subject is designed based on progressive development across its assessment tasks. In this sense it is wise for students to engage with their academic leaders and be aware of the work of other students.

Content (topics)

Themes presented in this subject may include: Modern attitudes to the disciplines of architecture and landscape; Geometry and proportion; Objectivity and subjectivity in understanding spatial 'program' in architecture and landscape; the role of design in architecture and landscape; the influence of technological development in modern architecture.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Graphic Inquiry of Selected Building

Intent:

Task: Based on first-hand experience from visiting the buildings analysed, choose a single building that you then explore through the lens of one other building seen on the trip. Students will return from the tour and revisit their initial graphic studies of the studied building, transforming information to respond to new knowledge. Students will produce a detailed graphic and image-based interpretation of their conclusions. The documents will be curated into an exhibition of work produced as a result of the study tour.

Graphic Manifesto:

Students will provide a frame (Ikea’s NYTTJA, 50x70cm frame or similar) to house the drawings of the building case studies. The drawing should use a digital document that you have developed prior to the trip as a starting point. This knowledge will be overlaid with new knowledge gained on the tour. The Graphic Inquiry must be used as a communication tool to describe a strong and clear statement (through text and visuals) to describe the buildings in relation to each other while capitalizing on a position/an argument about the buildings. This inquiry needs to be a concise, highly specific and unambiguous statement that acts as a lens, for critiquing the building case study that evidences both prior knowledge and empirical understanding.

Deliverables: 2 x A1 framed Graphic Conclusions

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

I.1, P.1 and R.3

Type:

Presentation

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

50%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Using drawing to support a specific understanding about architecture	40	2	I.1
Apply architectural communications techniques to produce exhibition quality studies	30	3	P.1
Demonstrate a proficient understanding of a building	30	1	R.3

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Documentary

Intent:

Task: Students are required to document their trip with a sketchbook, digital photography and video. On return to Sydney, students will be required to submit a maximum 2-minute video edited of the trip demonstrating the experience, the projects and the learning outcomes from the travel. This movie can be captured using any device, including still photography, video, professional video, graphics, scanned materials etc. The video will be shown publicly and possibly uploaded to the web, so students should ensure content is appropriate for public viewing, and not infringing on any copyrights.

The sketchbook and photography must be individually done. Pictures, scans of sketches or any other relevant material collected during the trip should be collated in the sketchbook. Sketchbooks will be submitted as part of the final folio. Reflecting on this, students will produce a video project of no more than 2 minutes in length summarising your impressions of the architecture experienced on the trip.

Deliverables: Sketchbook, a series of 2 best photographs printed and framed, and a maximum 2-minute video on a USB.