ABPL90089-Australian Architecture

Assessment Task

The Major Research Project is an original piece of research into an aspect of Australian architecture using primary sources with the support of some secondary sources, where appropriate. The guiding principle for the research topics is to expand our collected knowledge of Victoria’s past built environment: in general, the subject of the research will not be of lesser-known architects or themes, avoiding content already the subject of major works of scholarship. 

The default project will involve students producing biographies of architects or firms, about whom limited information is known. In some cases, there is extant research completed on such architects, such as earlier investigation reports by architecture students (held in the Architecture Library collections) or short entries in the Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture. In many cases, there is no compiled or published research. In all cases, it is presumed that further information is discoverable, given the increased availability of searchable electronic resources, which enable new interpretations and understanding of their work. 

Students undertaking biographies should, as a guide, seek to write an analytical narrative of the architect/s, focusing on their background, education and architectural career, as well as a near-complete project list as possible. The biography should contextualize the subject’s career and work within the general state of architectural development of the time. How do they fit within the broader themes and trajectories discussed in Australian Architecture? Illustrations of key projects, thoughtfully located throughout the document, are a highly desirable contribution. Students are encouraged to consider any historiographical implications raised by their research and biography.

It is suggested that the report adopt a structure as follows:

• Introduction to the architect and the report, generally, including a brief explanation of key sources and methods;

• Background and Training with attention to relevant personal and professional influences;

• Architectural Career, which may be arranged chronologically and/or thematically, typologically, stylistically etc. as appropriate. It may be structured around key works however, aim to draw them together into an engaging narrative making connections to wider developments within their professional milieu;