VAM4100

Issues in Australian architecture and heritage

Conrad Hamann

8 or 12 points Two 1-hour seminar per week Fieldwork excursions Second semester Clayton

Objectives Upon completion of the subject students should understand the basic principles of architectural planning, form and type, and why these are valued. Students should be able to discuss and evaluate buildings from visits, plans, photographs and other documents, and understand changing perspectives within criticism and debate on architectural issues. They should be able to see architecture in its urban, regional or landscape context, and how that relationship affects cultural identity. In addition students should have a sense of how issues in architectural heritage can affect contemporary architectural practice, and, if undertaking the specific heritage report (twelve points), acquire some skill in preparing professional documents. Students undertaking this subject at masters level would also be expected to discuss architectural planning and form in significantly greater detail, and have a more developed sense for the character of architectural movements as they inform specific buildings.

Synopsis The subject is based around weekly seminars and involves fieldwork in alternate weeks, including a study of how current Australian architecture has addressed heritage issues. Initial seminars will consider general questions of reading architecture and of how historians and critics assess the significance of buildings, landscape contexts and urban surroundings. Seminars will then examine changing attitudes toward architecture and heritage in Australia from the beginning of this century, using heritage assessments and published statements to observe shifts in the perspective and role of the national trusts and the architects' institutes. This area of the subject examines the growing professionalism of the national trusts and the architects' institutes. The second part of the subject examines specific areas in Australian architecture which have involved changing attitudes and debate within heritage decisions. The subject will consider the emerging heritage debate on 1950s and 1960s architecture in Australian cities, the relationship of very recent or projected architecture to heritage issues, and the growing importance of streetscape in cultural heritage questions.

Assessment (8 points) NCAS students A seminar presentation and discussion (1500 words): 20% A fieldwork diary and analytical summary (1500 words): 20% A longer research essay (3000 words): 60%
Assessment (12 points) Visual culture students Seminar paper (1500 words): 20% Fieldwork diary and analytical summary (1500 words): 20% Essay (3000 words): 30% Heritage report (3000 words): 30%

Recommended texts

Apperly R, Irving R, Reynolds P Identifying Australian architecture Hale and Iremonger, 1991
Boyd R Australia's home MUP, Penguin, various editions, 1952-1985
Davison G and McConville A heritage handbook Allen and Unwin, 1991
Edquist H (ed.) Contemporary criticisms of Australian architectural history whole issue of Transition, 22/23, Summer 1987
Jahn G Contemporary Australian architects Craftsman House, 1995
Jeans D N and Spearritt P The open air museum Allen and Unwin, 1980
Kostof S The city assembled: Elements of urban form through history, Thames and Hudson, 1992
Portoghesi P The presence of the past Rizzoli, 1981

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