ARCHGEN 711 : Special Topic

Creative Arts and Industries

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

No prescription

Course Overview

What is the value of unbuilt (and unbuildable) architecture? In other words, "paper architecture": designs that explore and express the creative imaginings of impossible, improbable or otherwise impractical worlds (Archigram, Utkin & Brodsky, Lebbius Wood, etc.).
This seminar group is a think-tank for the digital revival of paper architecture and its quixotic allure, investigating the potential of paper architecture today through contemporary narrative devices including graphic novels, film and video-games. 

Course Requirements

Restriction: ARCHGEN 710, 712-715

Semester Availability

Semester 2, 2020
Tuesday 10am-12: 253-101

Course Co-ordinator

Dr. Anthony Brand, anthony.brand@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop a broader understanding and appreciation for the unbuilt (and unbuildable) products of architectural design and thinking (“paper architecture”) through research and reflection (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 6.3)
  2. Develop and improve intellectual skills: critical thinking and self-reflection through discussion, debate, peer-review and self-analysis of ideas and designs within different settings and via different media (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2 and 5.3)
  3. Understand the meaning and potential significance of “paper architecture” (in order to...) (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  4. Employ a paper-architecture strategy that successfully draws attention to a contemporary or future polemic (cultural/societal/political/environmental/moral etc.) with architectural consequences (Capability 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussion and debate Group & Individual Coursework
Portfolio (visual study aids) (x6) 30% Individual Coursework
Discussion Board posts (x6) 30% Individual Coursework
Graphic Novella (paper architecture) 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Discussion and debate
Portfolio (visual study aids) (x6)
Discussion Board posts (x6)
Graphic Novella (paper architecture)

Where a student has been unable to attend to their studies for a period of time in the semester they may apply for an Extension of Time. Late submissions will be considered on medical and special grounds when supported by a health or other professional, and when the application is made according to the procedure below. Coursework not received by the due date, and for which no extension of time has been approved, will receive the grade ‘DNC’ (Did Not Complete). Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Students applying for an extension of time must obtain an Extension of Time Form for Coursework Submission from the School of Architecture and Planning Office (6th Floor of the Architecture Building, Building 421, 26 Symonds Street) and complete the required details. Late submission forms must be accompanied with the appropriate sign by faculty staff.

Pass Requirements

All students must complete the formative (ungraded) assessment tasks in order to pass the course.

In order to participate in the formative tasks (presentation, discussion and debate) attendance is crucial (any potential absence should be identified in advance)

All assignments must be submitted on time (or incur a late penalty – see above)

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course combines a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, presentations (from tutor, students, and guest lecturers), discussion and debate (round table - verbal - and online/digital - written), and peer-reviews. There will also be short design exercises, short writing exercises, and short thinking exercises: all geared towards developing the core skills required for self-directed learning, self-reflection, and creative thinking required for the written thesis in the second year of the MArch(prof). 

Learning Resources

A reading list with mandatory and recommended readings will be available on Canvas.
A selection of recommended readings is included below:
Burden, Ernest. Visionary Architecture : Unbuilt Works of the Imagination. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Chalk, Warren, Cook, Peter, Crompton, Dennis, Greene, David, Herron, Ron, Webb, Michael, Banham, Reyner, Chapman, Priscilla, Pawley, Martin, and Sorkin, Michael. Archigram : The Book. 2018.
Coates, Nigel. Narrative Architecture : Architectural Design Primers Series. 2nd ed. Architectural Design Primer Ser. 2012.
Magnago Lampugnani, Vittorio. Visionary Architecture of the 20th Century : Master Drawings from Frank Lloyd Wright to Aldo Rossi. London: Thames and Hudson, 1982.
Nichols, Shaun., and Ebrary, Inc. The Architecture of the Imagination : New Essays on Pretence, Possibility, and Fiction. Oxford: Clarendon, 2006.
Sioli, Angeliki, and Jung, Yoonchun. Reading Architecture : Literary Imagination and Architectural Experience. 2018.
Spiller, Neil. Visionary Architecture : Blueprints of the Modern Imagination. London: Thames & Hudson, 2006.
Sturm, Philipp, Cachola Schmal, Peter, Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Host Institution, Archigram, and Future Systems. Zukunft Von Gestern : Visionäre Entwürfe Von Future Systems Und Archigram = Yesterday's Future : Visionary Designs by Future Systems and Archigram. 2016.
Woods, Lebbeus, and Jacobson, Clare. Slow Manifesto : Lebbeus Woods Blog. First ed. 2015.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lectures, 18 hours of presentations, 64 hours of researching and thinking about the content and 64 hours of work on assignments.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Copyright Warning Notice

This material is protected by copyright and has been copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may not sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of this course pack/material to any other person. Where provided to you in electronic format, you may only print from it for your own private study and research. Failure to comply with the terms of this warning may expose you to legal action for copyright infringement and/or disciplinary action by the University.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 03/07/2020 08:38 a.m.