Units
Architectural Design 4
Unit code: DAB410
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit offers an intermediate level investigation into the field of design as applied to architecture. It uses developmental exercises to enhance student perceptions of the built environment in a problem based learning environment. Complex design problems deal with issues of social context, ethics, values, as well as the physical constraints of site, materials, climate, and technology. Design projects require the management of conflicting constraints to achieve optimal design proposals. Precedence, typologies, research and analysis, and representation techniques all form part of the unit content. Teaching and learning activities are spread across lectures, tutorials, and studio based activities.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Design is arguably the core activity of architecture. As such, design is a major component of the architecture course. This design unit exposes architectural design as a rigorous process with measurable qualities. It builds upon design skills developed in the previous design units and is focused on the domain areas of city context, planning, and form.
Aims
This unit will build on the learning outcomes of prerequisite units; and will provide you with an ability to develop architectural designs of limited complexity with particular focus on aspects of urban context, planning, and form through an understanding of site specificities, topography, urban infrastructure and the natural landscape. The unit also aims to introduce you to the process of theorising the design process and developing an architectural concept to be realised in an architectural design for a small cultural building.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. develop a rigorous design concept, via a reflection on urban space and context underpinning the design methodology, and made evident in the design proposal.
2. produce innovative three-dimensional form which actively mediates between the building and urban context (site).
3. produce an effective plan and functional programme within an overarching spatial arrangement or logic (parti).
4. research, develop, and resolve through architectural design the basic technical aspects of materials, screening, acoustics and lighting, made evident in the proposal and its documentation.
5. create a visual presentation which, expresses technical and formal skill evident in the design process and production via a range of techniques and media including both conventional line- or vector-based diagrams and design documentation drawings; and raster-based still, filmic or animated images.
Content
Topics covered in this unit include:
Architecture, site and the filmic image
City context
Riparian design (river frontage)
Designing around urban infrastructure
Public Space
Three-dimensional Form
Planning and formal schema
Materiality, structure and detailing, in architectural design
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 1
Studio/Tutorial: 3
Learning Approaches:
Your learning in this unit will be fostered by problem-based learning exercises and discussion of your work, delivered in a studio setting, alongside formal lectures. You will be required to pin-up or screen your work each week for critiques in a group setting, giving you an opportunity to receive advice on how to proceed with your design.
Assessment
Overview of Assessment:
Assessment will be based on two projects:
1. a short group film and individual site model which together explore the site. The model includes three interactive/synergistic elements 1. a formal response to either the river's edge or the freeway 2. a public space and 3. a conceptual building envelope (3-dimensional surface) which speaks to the new public space and riparian/freeway intervention.
2. following the site exploration, an individual proposal for a small cultural building developed into a fully resolved design.
These projects will require a range of analysis exercises to be performed in a structured order that will inform the development of an architectural proposition in response to a given brief. Processes and methods of managing creative thinking will be guided through weekly exercises that build up to provide a body of knowledge that will inform the design assignments.Formative Assessment:
Assessment type: Ongoing
Weighting: nil
You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions through the semester. You will receive written formative feedback on the unit's assignments.
Assessment name:
Simulation [film]
Description:
Stage 1 - Film Studio - Group Film
Relates to objectives:
1 & 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
During the semester
Assessment name:
Design; Model (optional)
Description:
Stage 2 - Film Studio - Urban Design, Building Envelope and Concept Design Screen Space
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, & 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
During the semester
Assessment name:
Simulation; Design; Model(opt)
Description:
Stage 3 - Film Studio - Final Design, The Film Studio
Relates to objectives:
1 to 5
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
No Set Text
Please refer to unit's Blackboard website for other resources.
Additional Costs
Materials:
Access to a digital camera with film-making facility or other video or digital recording device.
Access to a computer and film editing software
Participation in this unit will require a broad range of drafting and artistic materials and supplies. Typical requirements include:
A4 size sturdy pre-bound sketchbook - good quality art paper - 'visual diary'
A2 sheets of detail paper - tracing paper
Roll of detail paper - plain or yellow detail paper - approx. 300mm wide
Range of drafting pens i.e. black felt pen - e.g. 0.2, 0.4 & 0.6mm
Pencils - HB, 2B, 4B, 6B regular pencils or broad lead drafting pencils (e.g. 2mm)
Drafting pencils with coloured lead - blue and red
Adjustable set square
T-square - approx. 900 long
Compass
Coloured pencils - set of 24 minimum
Pencil sharpener, and Eraser
Scale ruler - 300mm, flat, scales - 1:5 1:10 1:20 1:50 1:100 1:200 1:500
Scissors
Knife
Metal Ruler
Cutting Mat
Glue stick or pot of glue
Roll of masking tape or sticky tape
Computer accessories, recordable CD's
Access to film making equipment and film editing software
Risk assessment statement
In this unit you will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres as well as workshops on film-making and editing in the studios, computer labs or theatre spaces
The first Project requires you to attend an urban site external to the campus in groups of five to create a film. You will be encouraged to take night footage and photos, and to conduct the urban exploration at night, with the idea that urban morphology and form is amplified under night-time lighting conditions. Please see Risk Assessment Form for details.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 29-May-2012
