ARCH71-112: Contemporary Theory of Architectural Design and Urbanism

This subject exposes students to the current architectural and urban theories in contemporary practice and disciplinary discourse, which builds upon knowledge that students have acquired during undergraduate studies on the 20th and 21st century architecture and urban planning within their wider historic context. Knowledge of contemporary theoretical and conceptual frameworks is intended to inspire creative topic development for a forthcoming Master of Architecture Design Thesis in developing one’s own architectural position. This helps each student to contextualise a future proposal for the Master of Architecture Design Thesis by providing theoretical foundation for it through readings, precedent/ case study investigations, speculation, reflection, critical thinking and rigorous analyses of relevant concepts and emerging trends in the discipline of architecture and environmental design. The goal is to acquire skills in gathering information from various sources, defining the relevant key concepts, and synthesising the existing body of knowledge to support the theoretical foundation of each student’s subsequent design thesis project.