Units
Professional Practice
Unit code: DAN245
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit investigates the business and practice of architecture. It provides a detailed understanding of the organisation, structure and management of an architectural office, defining and examining the range of activities and professional services undertaken within the office from contractual engagement to the completion of an architectural project. The unit reviews the laws and statutory regulations that control the practice of architecture.
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
Architects in practice require knowledge of the management theory and techniques of architectural practices and building contracts. Part of the building procurement phase of architectural projects centres on ensuring that office practices support the efficient management of projects from inception to completion. Building procurement also requires that architects understand building contracts and are able to participate in their establishment, supervision and timely completion.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to develop your understanding of architectural practice management and building contract administration. The unit will foster your understanding of the legal framework in which building construction takes place. It will also focus on developing awareness of the ways in which architectural practice may be managed.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of an architectural practice.
- Operate as an architectural professional within the legal and contractual framework in which building construction occurs.
- Apply the skills of practice management (exhibiting and understanding of the roles and techniques of architectural practice) insofar as such management supports the efficient passage of architectural projects from inception to completion.
Content
Topics covered in this unit are:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 3-4 hours
Lecture: 3 hours
Tutorial: 4 hours
The lectures and tutorials are offerred on alternate weeks throughout the semester
Learning Approaches:
The unit is structured around lectures, tutorials and on-line content. The content and learning outcomes of this unit lend themselves to being engaged in a professional manner; as such, portions of this unit will be run as an architectural practice office in which you will role play the membership of an architectural office. Lectures and tutorials will be used to guide your participation in the simulated practice office.
Assessment
Summative assessment:
Assessment will be based on two reports and a final examination.Formative assessment:
Assessment type: Ongoing
Weighting: Nil
Feedback on the tutorial exercises will be provided and advice will be given at key times to assist you in undertaking the assignments.
Assessment name:
Report 1
Description:
This involves the legal and business issues associated with setting up an architectural practice under nominated situations. A submission of tutorial activities is to accompany the report.
Relates to objectives:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of an architectural practice.
2. Operate as an architectural professional within the legal and contractual framework in which building construction occurs.
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group with Individual Component
Due date:
Mid-semester
Assessment name:
Report 2
Description:
This involves the application of practice management skills for the efficient passage of a nominated architectural project from inception to completion under a special set of circumstances. A submission of tutorial activities is to accompany the report.
Relates to objectives:
2. Operate as an architectural professional within the legal and contractual framework in which building construction occurs.
3. Apply the skills of practice management (exhibiting and understanding of the roles and techniques of architectural practice) insofar as such management supports the efficient passage of architectural projects from inception to completion.
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group with Individual Component
Due date:
Late semester
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
The open book examination will use multi-choice questions covering various professional and contractual situations.
Relates to objectives:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of an architectural practice.
2. Operate as an architectural professional within the legal and contractual framework in which building construction occurs.
3. Apply the skills of practice management (exhibiting and understanding of the roles and techniques of architectural practice) insofar as such management supports the efficient passage of architectural projects from inception to completion.
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Late 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
Text:
RAIA Business and Practice of Architecture Parts 1 and 2, RAIA: Canberra.
(Permission has been obtained for the above document to be placed in the Course Material Database of the unit on QUT Blackboard.)
Recommended Readings:
Birt, I., (2004). Writing Your Plan for Small Business Success. Frenchs Forest NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
BOAQ Code, AIA Notes, AIA Acumen and other recommended reading will be advised at the beginning of the semester. Excerpts of special items and journal articles will be provided in the Course Materials Database of the unit on QUT Blackboard.
Materials:
Materials required for the tutorials and assignments.
On-Line:
Blackboard unit site.
Additional Costs:
Consumable costs associated in undertaking tutorials, for printing of resources and the preparation of the assignments are to be expected.
Risk assessment statement
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. You are reminded of your obligations to make yourself aware of your responsibilities under the Workplace Health and Safety Act and the evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes, tutorials or undertake associated study.
Where practical experiments are undertaken the School's occupational health and safety policies and procedures will apply to these sessions.
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
