Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Australia is at once an ancient land under Indigenous custodianship, a vast island continent, an outpost of Empire, a ‘New World' country, and an archipelago of coastal cities punctuating ever-expanding suburban metropolises. How is Australia's architecture reflective (or not) of these conditions? In the more than 200 years since European settlement, colonial concepts of plantation and transformation, New World questions of identity and cultural influence, dominant Modernist ideals prizing simplicity and restraint, and layers of centre/periphery relationships have variously informed the ideas and approaches adopted by architects in the design and development of Australia's built environment. Moreover, as a consequence of its isolated, colonial (as well as postcolonial) and New World conditions, Australia's architecture has always been involved in and characterised by cultural exchange with ideas and practices from overseas, though the avenues of influence have changed over the generations. Similarly shaped have been the histories and critiques of architecture in Australia.
This unit examines architectural thought and practice in Australia in relation to (1) historical background and historiographical context; (2) pertinent theoretical frameworks that illuminate the colonial/postcolonial underpinnings of architectural development in Australia; (3) evolving global and regional contexts and shifting international relations; and (4) current and emerging local and global ideas about and approaches to urbanism, sustainability, digitalisation and so on. Importantly, the unit questions the applicability of the term ‘Australian architecture' and, in turn, explores the historical, regional, intellectual and methodological variety and diversity of architecture across Australia. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on the ways in which they might think and act inventively, productively and ethically as architects operating in a global setting.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) articulate the complex factors and conditions that have influenced the evolution of architecture across Australia; (2) identify and describe the ways in which particular examples of cultural exchange or global influence have shaped architecture in Australia; (3) perform advanced analysis and critique of the relationships between architectural thought and practice in Australia; (4) demonstrate advanced levels of knowledge about and literacy in the catalogue of Australia's architectural genres and themes; and (5) demonstrate enhanced ability to respond critically and inventively to current and future questions confronting architects in Australia.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a group project (such as a seminar presentation or short film) designed to extend and amplify the issues arising in the unit and requiring the critical analysis of a nominated building, urban project or piece of writing and (2) a major illustrated essay (4000 words) exploring an aspect of Australian architecture, selected from a list of topics or devised by the student in consultation with the coordinator. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Kate Hislop
- Contact hours
- seminars: up to 3 hours per week
- Note
- Enrolled students can access unit material via the LMS (Learning Management System).
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.