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Foregrounding: Design Studio & History (ABPL30065)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | November |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is not available except to enabling students in E-ABP (Enabling Course - Architecture, Building & Planning)
This subject has two parts: design studio and design history.
Design Studio
This foundation studio component offers an introduction to both architectural and spatial design and to the specific pedagogical and cognitive attributes of studio teaching. The studio will provide a base for further development and exploration of diverse design processes. The studio will introduce critique, presentation, speculation and design resolution as fundamental components of studio practice and will develop an investigative logic for design development and expression. The studio will operate with both group exercises and individual production. The studio will offer basic and introductory instruction in various representational, graphic and documentation techniques and processes.
Design History
This lecture and tutorial component will develop a basic understanding of how architecture acts as part of the political and cultural processes for all societies, particularly western culture. The instruction will investigate the legacy of classical western architecture and how its development is both formal and political in its consequences. It will look at the relationships of architecture to power structures and how architecture and spatial order are reflective of the social and moral relationships within a society. This non-linear history will also examine the disruptive impacts of non-western architecture and will challenge the presumptions of eternal truths and destiny for western architecture. In doing so, the course will offer a re-appraisal of architectural lineage, tradition, style and values.
Note: it is recommended to read the following book before starting this course:
“Four Historical Definitions of Architecture”; Parcell, Stephen, McGill-Queens University; Montreal, 2012”
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Design Studio
- Communicate ideas through graphic and spatial techniques
- Develop a methodology for translating spatial and organizational concepts into 2D and 3D form
- Develop performance-based design, testing ideas and forms through iterative and serial processes
- Understand how materials influence scale, texture, integration and utility of surfaces, objects and spaces
- Establish critical thinking and the ability to make formulate a critical evaluation of design work – both individual work and work of others within the studio cohort
Design History
- Understand the primary historical and cultural themes of western architecture
- Have an awareness of the complex relationship between architecture and political and cultural power
- Develop a broad understanding of western architectural phases and important figures in the traditions of architecture
- Understand the connection between philosophical system and spatial practices
- Establish critical thinking and the ability to formulate a critical evaluation of architectural polemics and formal expression
Generic skills
- Design Studio: • Operating within a studio context • Basic understanding of design practices and methods • Use of sketches and diagrams to analyse, design and communicate • Understanding of scale • Translation of ideas into forms and graphic communications • Ability to test and evaluation options and alternatives • Critical thinking and critical assessment Design History: • Build on technical skills in methods of visual documentation and presentation (for example drawing, photography and mapping) • Critical thinking and analysis through required reading, discussion, essay writing and presentations and assessment of arguments. • Communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically, in written and oral form through essays, discussion and class presentations. • Selection and critique of architectural case studies.
Last updated: 6 December 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Approval from the MC- ARCH Course Coordinator
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 6 December 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Studio Project: 5 mintutes of oral presentation ( equivalent to 200 words)
| Day 4 | 5% |
5 minutes presentation on historical and cultural significance of assigned theme
| Day 6 of teaching | 5% |
studio project : oral presentation , due Day 8 of teaching period
| Day 8 | 15% |
Draft text of history Component ,
| Day 11 | 10% |
Final studio project presentation: building on work developed throughout the teaching period demonstrating design output that may include physical models, drawings, written assignments and sketches (Project work Should be submitted two days before presentation )
| End of the teaching period | 40% |
Submission of final history text ,
| 4 Days after the end of teaching | 25% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend 80% of studios | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 6 December 2022
Dates & times
- November
Coordinator Donald Bates Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 14 November 2022 to 2 December 2022 Last self-enrol date 17 November 2022 Census date 25 November 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 December 2022 Assessment period ends 5 December 2022
Last updated: 6 December 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
“Four Historical Definitions of Architecture”; Parcell, Stephen, McGill-Queens University; Montreal, 2012”
- Subject notes
Note: This subject has an off-campus teaching component situated in Melbourne. Please refer to the timetable for specific details.
- 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
In order to meet the requirements for entry into the 3 year Master of Architecture applicants must have completed 1 Architecture History and 1 Architecture Design studio subject prior to commencing the program.
Places in these subjects would be limited to those students interested in applying for the 3 year Master of Architecture who do not yet meet the prerequisite subject requirements. Applicants would require course coordinator approval prior to enrolment in the CAP subjects.
Last updated: 6 December 2022