ARCHHTC 700 : Pacific Architecture

Creative Arts and Industries

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines architectural history and practice in the Pacific region from ancient sites to the present day. Explores design from all periods, with a view to informing future design through consideration of climate, culture, society, materials and economics.

Course Overview

This course considers the architecture of the Moana (Oceania), or generally understood as the Pacific Islands (includes Aotearoa, New Zealand), from ancient sites to the present day with a focus on appropriate forms, materials and fabrication for future design. Through consideration of history, climate, colonisation, culture and society, economic and other issues it will explore design in customary practice, colonial forms, modernism and contemporary buildings.

It will be wide-ranging looking at Moana understandings of space that background the conception of architecture through to practical issues such as the logistics of current building practice and climate change. The aim of the course is to encourage understanding of past and contemporary context and practices of Pacific architecture that will be useful to designers. Outcomes will involve surveys or case studies (that can be in a variety of media) that document and critique past or current building practices and prepare students for future work in this area.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

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. Identify and describe key aspects of the physical and cultural context of the Pacific region (includes Aotearoa, NZ) as it relates to Pacific architecture and its building technologies. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Create and present a defined research proposal. (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3)
  3. Critically evaluate past and contemporary issues affecting Pacific built environments. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 6.1 and 6.3)
  4. Demonstrate research skills to critically investigate an aspect of Pacific architecture. (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3)
  5. Develop and demonstrate effective communication and presentation skills for research projects. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2 and 5.3)
  6. Learn creative approaches to demonstrate research findings of a particular aspect of Pacific architecture. (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 (Research Proposal) 20% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 (Seminar Presentation) 20% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 (Written text and various media project) 60% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignment 1 (Research Proposal)
Assignment 2 (Seminar Presentation)
Assignment 3 (Written text and various media project)
The final grade is an amalgamation of all assignments. Pass requirements for the course is any mark above
Grade C-.

Late submissions will be considered on medical and special grounds when supported by a health or other
professional's advice, and when the application is made according to the following procedure. Requests for
extensions of time must be submitted and approved at least one week 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), complete the required details and attach any relevant document.
Late submission forms must be signed by the appropriate School staff . Coursework not received by the due
date, and for which no extension of time has been approved, will receive zero grades for Assignment 1 and a
‘DNC’ (Did Not Complete) for Assignment 2.

Teaching & Learning Methods

‘Seminars’ differ from lecture based courses that students encounter in the Bachelor of Architecture because they involve a high level of post-graduate individual research-based learning supported by teaching in a more supervisor than lecture focused mode. There are a large number of expert guest lecturers aimed at stimulating individual thinking rather than directly providing basic knowledge. There is also a high degree of sharing of research through students presenting their projects to other students in the form of seminars. This mode of teaching and learning aims to enhance methodologies and skills useful in the second, thesis, year of the Master of Architecture (Professional) and Combined Masters programme.

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 20 hours of lectures , a 2 hour tutorial, hours of reading and thinking about the content and 120 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including seminar presentations and the tutorial to complete and receive credit for components of the course.

Attendance on campus is required for the seminar presentation in Week 10, from 8am - 11am. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Attendance in class as well as engagement with course activities and readings supports academic success. Therefore it is strongly recommended that students make every effort to attend class and complete all the necessary in-class requirements.

Learning 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.

Recommended Reading
Good texts on Pacific architecture are rare and a wide variety of reading will be identified when we discuss assignments / projects, but these are especially useful:
• Encyclopedia of vernacular architecture of the world (Cambridge University Press) Oliver
• The Handbook of Contemporary Indigenous Architecture (Springer) eds Grant, Greenop, Refiti, Glenn
• Habitat: vernacular architecture for a changing planet (Thames & Hudson) ed Piesik
• Architecture in the South Pacific: The Ocean of Islands (EDM) Taylor and Conner.
• Art in Oceania: A New History (Thames and Hudson) eds Brunt, Thomas, Mallon, Bolton, Brown, Skinner, Kuchler
• We Are the Ocean: Selected Works (University of Hawai’I Press) Epeli Hau’ofa (or anything else by Hau’ofa).
• Cook Islands Art and Architecture (University of the South Pacific) eds Dixon, Crowl, Crocombe.
• Vaka Moana: Voyages of the Ancestors (Bateman) ed Howe.

Supplementary Reading 
Books and journal articles, will be advised individually based on the students project.

Health & Safety

Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course coordinator/lecturer.

In week 2, the class will tour Auckland from 1pm - 5/6pm on Thursday 28th July. Anyone showing COVID symptoms will be encouraged to not attend the trip. At all times on this trip, masks must be worn by students and staff. A Field Activity Plan for a Day Trip has been approved by the HoS for this afternoon.

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 feedback received via SET in previous course offering has contributed to the continuous improvement of
this course. Students are therefore warmly invited to complete the SET/Qualtrics/OLE evaluations at the end of
the semester and to provide their feedback on this course and teachers.

Other Information

As students individual assignments/projects are developed during the course, individual advice and support will be provided both in class time and by appointment at other times. 

Depending on the project, modelling materials and various media are required to complete assignment 3.

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 18/07/2022 01:01 p.m.