F2001 Bachelor of Architectural Design

The course is structured in four parts which develops through theme studies in critical contexts, disciplinary practices, studio practices and free electives. These will come together in the form of a graduand exhibition normally developed during the final studio unit in the third year of the course.

Part A. Critical contexts

These studies cover the multiple histories, theories, perspectives and knowledge systems that inform the discipline of architecture. Beginning with a faculty wide unit that introduces Indigenous Australian creative practices and approaches to Country, you will go on to explore the formation of the discipline of architecture along with the shifting role of the architect. These units engage with contemporary, social, political, cultural and technical ideas and how architectural practitioners shape their work in response to these. You’ll carry out co-research and collaborative writing and editing, and work with your peers to plan, co-author and co-edit a piece of architectural research that communicates architectural ideas for a broad audience.


Part B. Disciplinary practices  

Architectural performance studies units cover the integration of material, structural, construction and environmental conditions within the context of responsible and sustainable practices. Studies begin with the exploration of construction and materials through models and drawings. They expand to consider structural systems and environmental systems, including human comfort and energy usage. Studies culminate with a comprehensive integration of building systems and the introduction of relevant professional practices. Across the units, issues are explored through design projects including the use of physical and digital models for performance analysis. In the communications units you’ll be introduced to concepts, tools and techniques for the representation of architectural ideas in two and three dimensions including drawing, physical and digital model making and computer aided design (CAD). You’ll learn to select appropriate tools and methods to communicate a variety of architectural design ideas and explore the principles and uses of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in architectural design and project delivery, engaging with Building Information Modelling (BIM), Rule-based Systems, and Digital Fabrication.

Part C. Studio practices 

Architecture design studio units bring together a range of complex issues inherent in the production of architecture: material, structure, program, site, history and representation. They focus on the architectural project as a process of investigation, critical observation and experimentation. Design studios foreground the development of architectural designs through material and three-dimensional testing of ideas. They combine various design, technical, conceptual, historical and professional issues into creative architectural outcomes across a range of scales and types of projects. This will introduce you to occupational health, safety and environmental training particularly within the context of studying art, design and architecture.


Part D. Free electives

Deepen your knowledge by selecting electives from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, enriching your degree by using free electives for Monash Abroad opportunities. Alternatively, you may choose to select electives from across the university (provided you satisfy the unit rules) to broaden your interdisciplinary perspectives.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 144 points, of which 132 points are focussed on the study of architecture and 12 points are free electives. The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Critical contexts (18 points), Part B. Disciplinary practices (42 points), Part C. Studio practices (72 points), Part D. Free elective study (12 points).

Elective units may be at any level, however no more than 9 units (54 points) are to be completed at level 1.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Critical contexts (18 points)

You must complete:

• BLK1000 Indigenous Australian creative practice and ways of knowing
• ARC2401 Positions and dialogues in architecture 1
• ARC3401 Positions and dialogues in architecture 2

Part B. Disciplinary practices (42 points)

You must complete the following units.

Note: If you are in the double degree E3009 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Architectural Design you only complete 18 credit points (ARC1301, ARC2301 and ARC3301). You are not required to complete ARC1102, ARC2101, ARC3101 and ARC3102 because civil engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

• ARC1301 Architecture communications 1
• ARC2301 Architecture communications 2
• ARC3301 Architecture communications 3
• ARC1102 Architectural performance 1
• ARC2101 Architectural performance 2
• ARC3101 Architectural performance 3
• ARC3102 Architectural performance 4: Integrated design

Part C. Studio practices (72 points)

You must complete the following complete the following seven units.

Note: If you are in the double degree E3009 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Architectural Design you only complete six units (60 credit points) as you are not required to complete ARC3002 because civil engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

Note 2: All students must complete OHS1000 (0 credit point unit).

• ARC1001 Architecture foundation studio 1 (12 points)
• ARC1002 Architecture foundation studio 2 (12 points)
• ARC2001 Architecture design studio 3 (12 points)
• ARC2002 Architecture design studio 4 (12 points)
• ARC3001 Architecture design studio 5 (12 points)
• ARC3002 Architecture design studio 6 (12 points)
• OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety

Part D. Free electives (12 points)

Deepen your knowledge by selecting electives from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture,  enriching your degree by using free electives for Monash Abroad opportunities. Alternatively, you may choose to select electives from across the university (provided you satisfy the unit rules) to broaden your interdisciplinary perspectives.

Free electives can be identified using the [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search][browse units]] tool and [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/][indexes of units]] in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.