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Architecture Design Studio: Water (ABPL20028)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
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The core of the undergraduate design sequence is the development of both design thinking and dexterity with tools. As an extension of  (ABPL20027) Architecture Design Studio 1: Earth, the focus of this second design subject will be the generation and articulation of design possibilities through a series of studio projects. Linking these investigations will be the theme of water, which may be explored conceptually, metaphorically, structurally, or technologically – e.g. waterproofing, rain screens, hygiene, perspiration, sports centres, hydraulics, humidity, marine or riverine environments, pools.

This subject will involve the following software: Autodesk AutoCAD (recommended) or Autodesk Revit, Rhinoceros, Adobe Creative Suite (optional).  Details of software availability and pricing are captured at https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research/resources/it-support#software.


Intended learning outcomes

Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:

  • Understand urban systems and fabric; analyse and represent findings through multiscalar mapping and diagramming
  • Understand the physical, social, cultural, historical, and ecological aspects of a particular site context, and the ability to incorporate context into architectural design projects
  • Design to the specifics of the brief, understand and incorporate site and landscape interface
  • Integrate historical and theoretical concepts and processes into design propositions
  • Design a complex or series of interconnected buildings, that integrate and interface with urban or inner suburban landscapes
  • Develop and demonstrate an understanding of scale and space from an urban to a domestic interior scale, relating to people, location and utilisation
  • Negotiate individual design aspirations within the context of a team project
  • Communicate and test ideas and design propositions through iterative use of orthographic drawing (analogue and digital), 3D-modelling (digital and physical), photomontage, renderings and animations
  • Recognise and demonstrate awareness of the disciplinary frameworks and attributes of architecture
  • Present, substantiate and advocate for design proposals in a public setting, and accept critique in a constructive manner
  • Engage with and contribution to the design studio culture

Generic skills

  • Graphic communication skills (including orthographic – plans, sections, elevations, axonometric and other like projections);
  • Generation of design ideas;
  • Appropriate use of design terminology;
  • Time management and meeting deadlines;
  • Both verbal and two-dimensional graphic presentation skills;
  • Relation of representations to designs.

Last updated: 10 June 2025