DAN111 Studio: Adaptable

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This is a studio-based unit that aims to further your architectural design skills through project-based speculations that investigate and engage with and across different programs, scales and contexts. It uses developmental exercises to enhance architectural design skills and  perceptions of the built environment through an architectural design project. The architectural aspects of design theory, program, site, sustainability, sociology, history, and critique form part of the unit content. The studio will focus on the development of abilities to rationally test and experiment through architectural design projects to explore cultures, contexts, technologies, and environments. In this unit you are required to conduct your own design-led research to create new conceptual, theoretical, methodological, technological and translational propositions that move beyond conventional architectural approaches.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Research and assess information relevant to design projects.
2. Analyse and synthesise complex architectural problems through creative thinking.
3. Invent and extrapolate architectural ideas.
4. Transform architectural ideas into architectural proposals/buildings.
5. Communicate design propositions to diverse audiences.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit adopts a project-based approach to architectural design, focusing on specific project types, areas and/or issues in architectural design. Presentations and workshops will provide a theoretical framework for the project-focused work. You will learn primarily through practical activity in the studio setting. You will be expected to independently progress your design propositions between weekly classes, participate in structured studio activities, contribute to online activities, and engage in constructive critique of each other's work led by your teaching staff.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

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

• in-class formative exercises (desk-crits)
• in-class review of weekly activities
• criteria referenced assessment (CRA) sheets
• verbal feedback from teaching staff and guest reviewers at studio pin-up/review sessions

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will take the form of two design-based projects. While each project will be assessed for grading at the completion of the project, there will also be ongoing formative feedback throughout the semester to guide your progress. Assessment expectations will be provided through assessment briefs and criteria rubrics, and also discussed during relevant lectures and presentations.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Project Formulation

You will develop a schematic proposal for a complex building, presenting your understanding of the geographical and contextual background, addressing social and cultural responses, and demonstrating the proposal's relevance.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Architectural Project

You will develop a complex architectural proposal at an urban scale, coordinated and situated in context, that responds to client and societal needs.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit is based in QUT teaching spaces, and as such there are no out of the ordinary risks or hazards.

All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.

Course Learning Outcomes

DE83 Master of Architecture

1. Independently researching and evaluating emergent knowledge as it becomes necessary to fulfil the profession's role in society.
   Relates to: ULO1
2. Propositional, imaginative, iterative, integrated thinking to synthesise complex architectural designs.
   Relates to: ULO3
3. Supporting their decision-making using evidence-based, reasoned argument and judgement pertaining to architectural propositions.
   Relates to: ULO2
4. Communicating with a variety of audiences in appropriate ways.
   Relates to: ULO5
5. Engaging proactively and autonomously in the effective procurement of architectural propositions.
   Relates to: ULO4