F2019 Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Bachelor of Design

Double degree courses include the features of the component degree courses, except that electives may be reduced.

Architectural Studies

Part A. Critical contexts

Positions and dialogues units 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

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.

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.

This will introduce you to occupational health, safety and environmental training particularly within the context of studying art, design and architecture.

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

Design

F2010 Bachelor of Business is structured in four parts and develops through theme studies in history and theory, a drawing foundation, design studios specific to each of the specialist areas of study, and a range of self-selected elective units. These will come together in the form of a graduand exhibition developed during the final two studio units in the third year of the course. In the double degree you complete:

Part A. Critical contexts

These studies will equip you with the skills necessary to research design issues that enable you to contextualise your own thinking and making in relation to the broader spectrum of global practices. These units will develop your ability to communicate ideas and strategies. Through the duel lens of historic and contemporary practice, you will begin to situate the place of design in society by referencing pivotal art, design and architecture movements. Later units address issues of culture, society and responsible design practices.

Part B. Disciplinary practices

This will assist you to develop the practical and intellectual skills required by art, design and architecture students in the discipline of drawing. This will introduce you to occupational health, safety and environmental training particularly within the context of studying art, design and architecture.

Part C. Studio practices

This is the component of the course through which you will develop key skills and concepts particular to your design discipline.

In the collaborative design studio units you will create purposeful responses to contemporary social, cultural, and environmental challenges by employing co-design principles, mindsets, and methods. You will explore the specialist and transferable characteristics of collaborative design through simple and complex challenges. Through thematic-based projects, you’ll discover Design as a catalyst for collaboration, curiosity, learning, and impactful action. By immersing yourself in these studio units, you will experience the intersection of creativity and collaboration, and experience design as a relational, social, cultural and political practice with tangible impact.

In the communication design studio units you will undertake an exploration of traditional and emergent media and communication processes. You will learn to engage with and manipulate core design elements including typography, imagery, two and three-dimensional artefacts, interactivity, sound and motion, as key components to communication design solutions. Studio-based projects across both print and digital media platforms will develop skills in narrative story-telling, visible language, image construction and manipulation, interactive communication processes, production methods and technologies, and the planning and management of design outcomes.

In the industrial design studio units you will undertake a focused exploration of the range of issues, skills and techniques vital to the realisation of resolved product and object design. The studio units introduce you to the elements of industrial design including usability, form language and manufacturing. By carrying out industrial design projects, you will learn and apply skills in visualisation, interface design, model making, ergonomics, materials, manufacturing and production methods and technologies.

The spatial design studio units provide the opportunity to experiment with creative ideas while gaining an advanced understanding of the principles of spatial design. You will learn to translate your 2 dimensional concepts into 3 dimensional installations. Studio projects range from real client briefs involving cultural, commercial and community organisations to more speculative briefs that explore the opportunities and challenges of a continually transforming contemporary society. Through the sequence of studio units you will learn to create unique spaces and also how to adapt existing spaces to reflect your design ideas.

Course progression map

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

The course comprises 192 credit points, of which 96 points are from the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (including the requirements listed below from Parts A, B and C) and 96 points from the Bachelor of Design (including the requirements listed below from Parts A, B and C).

Due to unit BLK1000 being offered in both courses, BLK1000 will be replaced by ADA3012 Transdisciplinary studies in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies. This unit draws together the two disciplines and examines their complementarity/the possibilities that come from having done these two courses together.
In this case, the unit BLK1000 Indigenous Australian creative practice and ways of knowing will be taught as part of the Design program’s 96 core credit points.