The influence of Contemporary Japanese architecture: its meanings and its miss-readings. Contemporary architecture and urbanism in Australia has generally been concerned with addressing 'modernity' while little concerned with specific culture or place, and with little discernable ideology. Consequently, the City of Sydney is much used by international film-makers as an undifferentiated generic metropolis backdrop. In contrast, Japan's contemporary architects have developed a politically-charged ....The influence of Contemporary Japanese architecture: its meanings and its miss-readings. Contemporary architecture and urbanism in Australia has generally been concerned with addressing 'modernity' while little concerned with specific culture or place, and with little discernable ideology. Consequently, the City of Sydney is much used by international film-makers as an undifferentiated generic metropolis backdrop. In contrast, Japan's contemporary architects have developed a politically-charged architecture which registers the complexity of their national identity while turning its back on nationalism. This project will contrast the ideologies of leading contemporary architects in Japan and Australia and will serve as a benchmark against which contemporary Australian architecture can be assessed.Read moreRead less
The Role of Cultural Heritage In Conflict Transformation Societies. This project examines some of the key challenges societies face as they attempt to recover from violence and war. In studying a series of conflict transformation societies, the project addresses one of the key forces causing the insecurities of contemporary globalization. The research focuses on the ways in which the culture and cultural heritage of a society both contribute to, and inhibit, reconstruction. By enhancing Australi ....The Role of Cultural Heritage In Conflict Transformation Societies. This project examines some of the key challenges societies face as they attempt to recover from violence and war. In studying a series of conflict transformation societies, the project addresses one of the key forces causing the insecurities of contemporary globalization. The research focuses on the ways in which the culture and cultural heritage of a society both contribute to, and inhibit, reconstruction. By enhancing Australia's knowledge about the socio-cultural specificities of other countries, the project offers an innovative understanding of our regional and global security concerns. Read moreRead less