Units
Architectural Design 5
Unit code: DAB510
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit offers a focused 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. A particular emphasis is placed on the introduction of knowledge and skills to design a technologically enhanced architectural space with the aid of digitally mediated tools and methods while design theory, sustainability, sociology, history and critique, as they all apply to architectural design, all form part of the unit content. Design projects require synthesis of a range of abstract issues to achieve focused architectural proposals. Teaching and learning activities are spread across lectures, tutorials, and studio based activities.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
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 expects you to start undertaking your own research and project development, without step-by-step instructions, in order to begin preparing for a real-world design environment where there are no such instructions. Through a series of milestones set to aid you to navigate your own ways, this unit introduces architectural design as a rigorous process with measurable qualities, it builds upon design skills developed in the previous design units with specific attention in this unit given to the architectural relevance of digital tools and digitally enhanced environments.
Aims
The unit aims to provide you with an ability to develop architectural designs of intermediate complexity with particular focus on the integration of issues pertinent to digital technology, society and culture.
The unit is underpinned by ethical principles of environmental and social sustainability; with attention to medium scale public building design and the social issues that relate to spatial hierarchy, community, urbanism and densification.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Critically investigate issues relating to the site, its immediate contexts and communities.
- Constructan hypothesis to demonstrate how architectural solutions can be deployed to address social issues.
- Investigate how digital tools can be used and/or digitally enhanced environments can be introduced to provide the most effective and creative solutions.
- Critically reflect on feedback and communicate this effectively through appropriately chosen methods.
- Choose and utilise digital tools and/or propose digitally enhanced environments with confidence.
- Develop a proposal for a medium scale public building that can be presented effectively to target audience with different interests, including potential occupants and users, government, and other stakeholders.
Content
The unit will ask you to conduct a thorough and creative research of a chosen site and context in an urban setting. This will cover not only a conventional site analysis but also investigation of a selected issue including relationships of the site to local communities, CBD and the rest of Queensland residents. The project brief will ask you to design a medium scale public building for the general public that is linked extensively to the government strategy. A specific focus will be given to the use of digital tools and/or to provision of digitally enhanced environments throughout the semester.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Your learning in this unit will be fostered predominantly by progressive problem-based learning activities, delivered in a studio setting. Your work in the design studio will be supported by formal lectures, group tutorials, and desk critiques of your work. On occasion you will be required to display your work for critiques in a group setting, giving you opportunity to explain your ideas and their implementation in your project work. Formative feedback will be given at key times throughout the semester to foster the development of problem-based learning projects.
Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 1
Studio/Tutorial: 3
Assessment
Assessment will be based on three problem-based learning assignments (matching key stages of a design project). Each of these 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 discussions and exercises that build up to provide a body of knowledge and practice that will inform progressive development of design assignments. This mirrors the processes you would independently and collaboratively engage in to produce professional design work including the support and critique of peers and external professionals.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.
Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.Formative oral feedback will be offered during the semester at weekly tutorials as feedback for design work in progress. Oral and/or written feedback on assessment tasks from peers, tutor and invited guest experts will be given during presentations and exhibitions of each design stage.
Assessment name:
Design Exhibition
Description:
Complete a small design project to presentation stage to be pinned-up and critiqued.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 & 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Early Semester
Assessment name:
Project (applied)
Description:
Select a specific project theme and prepare and present a preliminary building design for tutorial/theme critique.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group with Individual Component
Due date:
Week 9
Assessment name:
Design
Description:
Complete the final design project to formal pin-up stage for presentation and critique by invited guests, theme leader and peers. Also submit your Design portfolio of project development steps and resources.
Relates to objectives:
3, 4, 5 & 6
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 15
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
Set text:
There are no set texts for this unit.
Materials:
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'
Roll of detail paper - plain or yellow detail paper - approx. 300mm wide
Roll of masking tape or sticky tape
Computer accessories, recordable CD's
Risk assessment statement
In this unit you will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
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: 05-Oct-2012
