Design Studio Alpha (ARCH10003)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Underlying the undergraduate design course is the development of both design thinking and dexterity with tools and techniques. The focus of this design subject will be on generating design ideas, translating them into architectural forms, spaces, materials and programs. Students will learn how to refine architecture through consideration of spatial organisation, environmental context and structural necessity. Students will also learn how to communicate comprehensive architectural propositions through 2D- and 3D-modelling (physical and digital), visual and written media and oral presentations.
Methodologies of critical observation, critical inquiry and critical thinking are introduced through a series of short assignments that build on one another and focus on architectural concepts such as form, space, proportion and scale.
The design studio will develop four distinct investigations throughout the semester, touching on a range of design issues and approaches including use of precedent, use of critical analysis in the design process, elements and systems, additive and subtractive geometry manipulation, cultural/artistic transposition and basic generative modelling. This will be produced through iterative processes of production, review, incorporation and resolution.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- Understand and employ the conventions of architectural drawing systems, including plans, sections, elevations, diagrams, three-dimensional representations, renderings and animations;
- Think in three dimensions, through graphic, digital and physical modelling;
- Understand form, space, proportion and scale as they relate to architectural design;
- Understand design processes and methods, including design thinking and iterative processes of production, review, incorporation and resolution and an ability to use them to generate both responses to design problems;
- Communicate design concepts both verbally and in writing;
- Formulate a conceptual design proposal that tests a design idea or design method in the form of a speculative architectural design proposition;
- Present, substantiate and advocate for design proposals in a public setting, and accept critique in a constructive manner;
- Engage with and contribution to studio culture.
Generic skills
Students completing this subject will have developed the following generic skills:
- Ability to generate and iteratively test design ideas
- Ability to work with design precedents
- Ability to work with different design methodologies
- Physical and digital model-making and its translation process
- Ability to integrate digital tools into the design generation and design development processes
- Graphic communication (including orthographic projections: plans, sections, elevations, axonometric and other projections)
- Verbal presentation and appropriate use of design terminology
- Time management and project management
- Constructive acceptance of feedback and criticism.
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH10001 | Foundations of Design: Representation |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENVS10004 | Designing Environments |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- Individual review (critique) and oral presentation, demonstrating design output that may include physical or digital models, drawings, written assignments, site analyses, journals and sketches (equivalent to 15 hours of work) due week 3, (15%);
- Individual review (critique) and oral presentation, demonstrating design output that may include physical or digital models, drawings, written assignments, site analyses, journals and sketches (equivalent to 20 hours of work) due week 6, (20%);
- Individual review (critique) and oral presentation, demonstrating design output that may include physical or digital models, drawings, written assignments, site analyses, journals and sketches (equivalent to 20 hours of work) due week 9, (20%);
- An individual oral presentation of final designs, which will be reviewed by a jury of academic staff/industry practitioners, building on skills and themes developed throughout the semester, demonstrating design output that may include physical or digital models, drawings, written assignments, site analyses, journals and sketches (equivalent to 30 hours of work) due week 12, (30%);
- Design Journal, completed throughout semester, based on themes developed through the lectures (approximately 15 hours of work per student) due week 12, (15%).
Hurdle requirement: Attendance of 75% or more of studio classes.
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kelum Palipane Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 40 hours: 8 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 3 hour Studio per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 4 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Non- allowed Breadth Subjects within the Bachelor of Design - relating to specific majors Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 4 April 2025