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Bower Studio (ABPL90356)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Not available in 2024
Overview
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The multi-award winning Bower Studio has been running for several years (see www.bowerstudio.com.au) and has teams of students travelling to remote and marginalised communities to consult, design and construct community infrastructure projects. To date we have designed and built projects ranging from early learning centres for Indigenous kids in the Pilbara, computer centres in Indigenous 'town camp' communities in Darwin and Alice Springs, through to composting toilets for coastal communities in Papua New Guinea.
The projects and locations change year by year but follow a similar format with students conducting research, attending seminars and designing and building at the University before spending about ten days on-site in the host community completing the key built outcome. Upon returning to University, the students then prepare their final design submission.
The projects and locations change year by year but follow a similar format with students conducting research, attending seminars and designing and building at the University before spending about ten days on-site in the host community completing the key built outcome. Upon returning to University, the students then prepare their final design submission.
The work is hard, really hard, and the accommodation and food is always basic. However, past students speak of the project as being a highlight of their university education and one of the most rewarding experiences in their lives.
NOTE: The studio has a travelling component, for information about the travelling component please check http://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/travelling-studios. You would need to ensure to organise yourself in relation to your other subjects as no Special Consideration / assignment extension will be granted due to travelling in this studio.
APPROXIMATE COSTS
This subject has two fieldwork components, one at a University of Melbourne rural campus and another with the host community in Northern Australia. Students will be required to cover travel and accommodation costs, purchase safety equipment (work boots, hard-hats, etc.) and presentation materials estimated at $2300 per person.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a capacity to make a contribution to the existing body of knowledge in architectural, landscape architectural or urban design theory and practice
- Demonstrate critical awareness of how their chosen specialisation contributes to this body of knowledge
- Demonstrate an understanding of design and construction as a form of research enquiry
Generic skills
- Written, verbal and graphic presentation of ideas
- Correct use of design terminology
- Ability to analyse social and cultural contexts
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Creative response to complex problems
- Ability to select the appropriate design approach
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-ARCH Master of Architecture
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Research Seminar
| Week 6 | 10% |
Design Research Booklet (stage 1)
| Week 11 | 20% |
Design Research Booklet (stage 2), due end of examination period
| End of the assessment period | 30% |
Final Design (A3), due end of examination period
| End of the assessment period | 40% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
340 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Quota: 16
This subject is a quota subject and places are limited. Students may provisionally enrol via the Student Portal, but places are not guaranteed until selection is completed. You will be notified in writing by the Student Centre if you are selected.
Selection criteria: Students will be selected on the basis of:
1. Academic merit and
2. A 300-word statement describing the student's interest in the subject and the skills he/she can bring to the group to assist in coping with survival under extremely harsh conditions.
Submission is to be emailed directly to the subject coordinator 2 weeks before the subject commencement week.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process and due dates, refer to the EDSC Quota Subjects webpage: http://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/quota-subjects
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided to students in the first week of class.
- Subject notes
Safety boots, safety glasses and ear muffs are required for workshop activities in this subject (to be provided by the student).
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 31 January 2024