UnitLevel 1Undergraduate

ARC1001 Architecture foundation studio 1

Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

ARC1001 Architecture foundation studio 1 is a level 1, 12-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units, leading on to 9 units in all.

Credit points
12
Offered in 2026
Semester 1
Caulfield
Assessment
No exam
4 tasks

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before ARC1001

Corequisites

Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.

Enrolment rules

You must be enrolled in the Bachelor of Architectural Design (F2001), or the Bachelor of Architectural Design / Master of Architecture (F6003), or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Architectural Design (E3009), or a Bachelor of Architectural Studies double degree.

Overview

This unit introduces architectural design as a process of investigation, critical observation, and experimentation. The unit focuses on design as a process engaged with the three-dimensional and material testing of ideas. Projects will be formulated to introduce issues such as scale in relation to the human body, site and environmental contexts, basic techniques of three-dimensional composition and the appropriate use of architectural drawing conventions.

Offerings in 2026

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterCaulfieldFlexible

Assessment

  • Module 1Portfolio
    20%
  • Module 2Portfolio
    30%
  • Module 3Portfolio
    20%
  • Module 4Portfolio
    30%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Demonstrate a progression towards a basic understanding of architectural conventions and design development methodologies, explored in verbal, graphic and three dimensional presentation;

  2. 2

    Apply strategies for undertaking culturally appropriate preliminary design research, including site analysis, precedent studies, and contextual/historical studies, as an integral part of a response to a design brief;

  3. 3

    Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate multiple streams of information (such as user studies, site analysis, client brief, etc) and integrate them into an architectural design response;

  4. 4

    Develop skills to work collaboratively in the studio environment, fostering a high level of respectful engagement with others;

  5. 5

    Explore an understanding of design development and architectural practice as having social, political, environmental, and economic implications;

  6. 6

    Develop strategies and skills to undertake self directed architectural design development.

Workload and teaching

  • Studio activities66 hours
  • Seminars12 hours
  • Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachField trips
  • Teaching approachCase-based teaching
  • Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
  • Teaching approachResearch activities
  • Teaching approachWork-integrated learning
  • Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning

24 hours per week including 6.5 contact hours plus 17.5 hours of independent study.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Dr Rachel Couper
Unit Coordinators
Ms Jhana Pfeiffer-Hunt

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for ARC1001?

None, but you must take OHS1000 before or alongside it.

What can I take after ARC1001?

ARC1001 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including ARC1002 and ARC1102. Those lead on to 9 units in all.

When is ARC1001 offered?

In 2026, ARC1001 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield.

Does ARC1001 have an exam?

No. ARC1001 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
12
Level
1
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
Organisational unit
Department of Architecture
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.250
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available