ABB311 Architecture Design 5


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:ABB311
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:ABB100 and ABB107 and (ABB102 or DAB102 or DLB102 or DTB102) and (ABB211 or DAB201)
Equivalent:DAB301
Coordinator:Mirko Guaralda | m.guaralda@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In this studio unit, you will learn how to engage with building types to aid you in the design of architectures of intermediate complexity. Through a series of formative exercises, you will explore how to adapt typological precedents to meet the specific needs of peculiar programs, as well as relevant legislative requirements. You will critically assess composition rules, tectonics, materiality and aesthetics to nurture your own personal style and language. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between site, type, structure, and legislation, undertaking your own independent research and project development. You will advance your communication skills, engaging with different levels of detail and different media.

At the end of ABB311, you will be able to operate as a reflective practitioner with a good understanding of building types and composition rules as tools to address the current societal, economic, and environmental challenges of our times.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse and investigate issues relating to architectural composition.
  2. Learn to engage with typological issues to develop creative solutions at a professional level.
  3. Research and appraise relevant architectural problems through mature thinking
  4. Develop architectural designs that draw on relevant technologies for an integrated design resolution.
  5. Effectively communicate the architectural intent through a range of different techniques and media.

Content

This unit will be studio-based. It will ask you to conduct thorough and creative research to propose architectural solutions in a regional town context. The studio will allow you to explore your own aesthetic, style, and language through an analysis of architectural composition, precedents, and relevant legislation.

ABB311 will engage you in learning a specific method of architectural design that relies on building types as a starting point in developing your own design solutions.

The major topics covered in this unit will include:

  • Architecture, Aesthetic, and Meaning
  • Typological investigation of architecture
  • Sustainability and Adaptability
  • Tectonics and Poietic
  • Materiality and Users' Experience

Learning Approaches

The chief learning experience of ABB311 will be the studio, where you will engage with professionals and practitioners in the discussion of your ideas. You will explore architectural composition through guided processes that will enable you to define your own style and language.

The unit adopts a hybrid approach relying on:

  • Online lectures
  • Face-to-face studio
  • Asynchronous studio
  • Workshops and Guided Exercises

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

  • In-class formative exercises (desk-crits)
  • In-class review of weekly activities
  • Online asynchronous activities
  • Criteria-referenced assessment (CRA) sheets
  • Verbal feedback from teaching staff and industry experts

Assessment

Overview

The assessment for this unit will be based on three project-based learning assignments.

The first two assessments will challenge you with the adaptation and manipulation of typological precedents to craft your own original design solution.

The final assessment will require you also to articulate and present a complex industrial building, with a focus on its typological resolution, technology, tectonic, and overall aesthetic.

While each project will be reviewed for grading at the completion of the assessment, there will also be ongoing formative feedback throughout the semester, to guide your progress. Assessment expectations will be provided through criteria-referenced assessment (CRA) sheets, and also discussed during relevant lectures and in-class activities.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Building Type Adaptation - Single Type, Diverse Programs

Explore the adaptability of a simple single building type to fulfil the needs and requirements of different programs, independently researched.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 35
Length: 5 weeks
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Online submission through Canvas
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Assessment: Building Types Assemblage - Technopark Masterplan

Conceive, develop, and document a proposal for a technopark through the creative assemblage and composition of different building types at the precinct scale.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 15
Length: 3 Weeks
Individual/Group: Either group or individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Online submission through Canvas
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 5

Assessment: Building Types Integration - Multiple Types, Industrial Program

Develop, resolve, and document an industrial building through the integration and adaptation of complex building types, or through the combination of different building types.

Weight: 50
Length: 7 weeks
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Physical exhibition and online submission
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

ABB311 requires a standard set of drafting aids. While you are mainly expected to produce digital drawings, you are also encouraged to engage with other media to develop and communicate your ideas. You are recommended to access our fabrication workshop to produce physical models and maquettes during the semester and for the submission of the last assessment.

Online resources, readings, and other learning materials will be provided during the semester through Canvas.

Risk Assessment Statement

All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction

There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

AB05 Bachelor of Architectural Design

  1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills in architecture.
    Relates to: Building Type Adaptation - Single Type, Diverse Programs, Building Types Integration - Multiple Types, Industrial Program
  2. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative architectural solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
    Relates to: Building Type Adaptation - Single Type, Diverse Programs, Building Types Assemblage - Technopark Masterplan, Building Types Integration - Multiple Types, Industrial Program
  3. Communicate architectural knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
    Relates to: Building Type Adaptation - Single Type, Diverse Programs, Building Types Assemblage - Technopark Masterplan, Building Types Integration - Multiple Types, Industrial Program
  4. Plan, develop and complete architectural research and projects.
    Relates to: Building Type Adaptation - Single Type, Diverse Programs, Building Types Integration - Multiple Types, Industrial Program