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

This design unit will establish a theoretical and applied understanding of site planning and related design processes at broad and detailed site scales. It will build directly on previous design exploration and related studies to develop skills in the artful, orderly, efficient, aesthetic, and ecologically sensitive arrangement of constructed objects and spaces on a site. The unit increases both the scale and depth of site-related thinking and application. A focus is placed on the integration of designed elements with the site's existing urban ecological systems to combine practicality with diversity, respect the spirit of the place, and satisfy the needs and values of its intended users. Continued development of graphics skills in design exploration and communication will be integrated into the program.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to develop your:
1. understanding and appreciation of user and site interpretation as key determinants of creative and sustainable site planning;
2. ability to conceptualise and evaluate alternative futures for a site and effectively communicate these as site plans.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. demonstrate at an intermediate level, the ability to effectively represent your design outcomes and processes through modelled, written, graphic and oral means.
   
2. demonstrate at an intermediate level, your understanding of design theory and processes.
   
3. demonstrate at an intermediate level, effective critical thinking and analytical processes to interpret problems.
   
4. demonstrate at an intermediate level, creative problem solving to formulate innovative design propositions to specific briefs.
   
5. demonstrate where and when appropriate, ethical conduct, collaboration and independent self-management and accountability.

Content

Topics to be covered in this unit include:

1. Site planning principles and processes including - undertaking a site appraisal, developing a project brief including understanding user needs, developing design concept options and a preferred concept, developing the specific type of landscape design referred to as a site plan.
   
2. Continued development of graphic and other communication skills will be integrated into every project in this studio.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4 hours per week
Lecture: 1-2 hour per week
Studio: 3-4 hours per week
Site visit: one or more 4 hour field trips

Learning Approaches:

1. Team based learning of project planning and management, data gathering, analysis, criticism and synthesis through the completion of a site appraisal.
   
2. Individual learning of design brief development through a synthesis of project requirements and the potentials and challenges identified in site appraisal.
   
3. Individual problem-based learning through an exploration and application of the reflective and iterative design development process.
   
4. Individual problem-based learning through the development of a site plan responsive to a site appraisal and design brief.
   
5. Project exercises and presentations will assist in the development of skills in oral, written, graphic (manual and digital) communication required to communicate at a semi-professional level in the discipline.

Assessment

All assignments are assessed for demonstration of achievement against three main criteria:
understanding of the knowledge, ideas skills and processes underpinning the assignment;
application of this understanding to a particular circumstance, and;
your expression of this understanding and application in graphic, written and verbal forms.Formative feedback will be given through studio exercises and presentations. Summative feedback will be in the form of detailed assessed feedback through relevant criterion referenced evaluation sheets.

Assessment name: Poster Presentation
Description: Site Appraisal - visual, textual and oral representation of a site appraisal
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Early Semester

Assessment name: Report and Folio
Description: Design Brief and Concept - visual and textual representation of a design brief and corresponding site planning concepts.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Design
Description: Site Plan - visual, textual and oral representation of a site plan
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 40%
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

Set text
Thomas, G.S. 2002. S.A.D. = Sustainable And Delightful: A designers guide to sustainable site planning, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane.

Other resource materials will be made available as appropriate through the unit Blackboard site and through the Resource Centre, Level 1, D Block or at the QUT GP Bookshop.


Additional Costs
This unit requires you to purchase a prescribed text estimated to cost $15.
Consumable costs, typical of the preparation and presentation of project work, are to be expected. You may be required to provide your own transport for a local field trip (in Brisbane city area). This will not be a construction site.
There are no other out of the ordinary additional costs associated with this unit.

Risk assessment statement

You will be required to 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. The unit will also require you to participate in field trips, of a supervised or self-guided nature. A risk assessment for these trips has identified only low impact risks. You will be provided with any relevant safety guidelines prior to any field trip. You will be required to obey all safety guidelines and directions while attending field trips.

Health & Safety Inductions
Students are required to complete, if haven't already previously completed, the following Inductions / Certificates
1. General Safety Induction

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