RESEARCH SELECTIVE —

In this research selective at the University of Queensland (semester 1, 2014), students were asked to undertake specific (small) research projects that focused on the urban and architectural history of post-war Brisbane. Topics that were suggested included: (1) the Brisbane Riverside Expressway; (2) the post-war urban redevelopment of Brisbane’s CBD; (3) International travels of Queensland’s post-war architects and (4) theories of colour, glare and climate in post-war Queensland. Undertaking research on one of these subjects, students were asked to produce a digital product, either a film, a model or design that demonstrated their findings. Students were allowed to work collaboratively in small groups of two to three people per topic. This research selective took place in parallel to the preparation of the ‘Hot Modernism’ exhibition, which was to be held at the State Library of Queensland. The student research projects were to contribute to the development of the exhibition, and students were advised that the possibility existed of having their work included in the exhibition.

In a first stage, students were asked to perform extensive archival research as well as a study of literature (primary and secondary sources) on Queensland’s post-war architecture and urbanism. In the second stage of the research selective, the students (based on their preferred method of conveying the research that they had conducted in the first part of the semester) were asked to develop a ‘script’ for a short film that summarized their research in an accessible manner; i.e. so it could easily be understand by a broad and diverse audience. The final submission was an animated short film of 3 to maximum 5 minutes.

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Brisbane’s Modern Dream
students: Andrew Campbell, Emma Denman & Sian Murphy

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The Riverside Expressway
students: Marcus Leask, Lachlan Cuffe & Sarah Thorne