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Design Studio Alpha (ARCH10003)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
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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: 3 October 2024