Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Design is the core activity of architecture, and the architectural design studio is a major component of the architecture course. This advanced architectural design unit deals with synthesis and integration of knowledge and skills from various domains of knowledge in a major project. As part of the new research and learning focus in the School of Design, emphasis will be placed on the exploration and application of concepts of sustainability in design.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop more advanced architectural design skills to meet the complexity found in challenging urban contexts, with particular focus on the synthesis of ideas, knowledge and systems relating to sustainable solutions for housing in high density mixed use neighbourhoods.

This unit also aims to raise your understanding of the interdependencies between social, cultural, economic and environmental dimensions at local and global levels crucial to sustainable design for human settlement.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. conduct an ethical inquiry that will critically evaluate principles and practices for ethical approaches to decision-making in design.
   
2. design a multi-residential building that responds to sustainable and ethical principles, combining liveability, buildability, environmental performance, urban design and long term viability.
   
3. produce an effective architectural design that coherently integrates planning, spatial hierarchies, functional requirements and form.
   
4. communicate architectural design ideas effectively, using discretion and judgement, by representing key concepts through a range of appropriate textual and graphic techniques including hand-drawing and scale models.

Content

The major topics to be covered in this unit include the synthesis of:

• sustainable and ecologically responsive design


• ethical framework for design


• collaborative approaches to design


• role of culture and climate in sustainable design


• architectural design of mixed use and mulitple residential buildings in an urban context

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 1 hour
Studio: 3 hours

Learning Approaches:
Your learning in this unit will be fostered by problem-based learning in the studio setting. This unit will involve lectures, structured tutorials, seminar workshops and online activities. You will work individually and in teams. You will be required to display (pin-up or project to screen) your work and explain your design solutions in a group situation. You will share relevant research and information with other students on the project Wiki.

Assessment

Assessment for this unit involves both formal and informal components, group and individual design report, projects and presentations. Your participation in class discussion forms an essential part of the formative assessment of the unit.Formative feedback will be given at key times during the semester, including during one-to-one tutorials, to foster the development of problem-based learning projects. Studios will also include group activities in which peer review will be an essential part of the educational experience.Visiting critics will be invited to contribute to the studio.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Graphic and written compilation of research on a range of multiple-housing building types.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Poster Presentation
Description: Graphic representation of ethical framework for a design project.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Design
Description: Application of sustainable and ethical theory and practice in architectural design of a building.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of the 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
Further readings and resource materials will be indicated on unit Blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit, which is primarily taught in a classroom setting on campus. The unit may include local site visits and/or field excursions (by bus and/or walking). You are expected to take the normal care expected when using public transport or walking in an urban environment

This unit may also require you to attend tutorial sessions in the Faculty's workshop facility. Participation will require previous attendance at an induction course offered by the school workshop staff (information offered in '0' week). You will be required to comply with safety clothing requirements, and with safety directions given by workshop staff.

Health & Safety Inductions
Students are required to complete, if not already completed previously, the following Inductions / Certificates
1. General Safety Induction
2. J-Block Workshop

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: 30-May-2012