Architecture Studio 1 (11023.1)

Required texts

Students are expected to undertake self-directed research and sourcing of reference material as required for the studio project. 

The primary source of information for this unit is  The Language of Architecture by Simitch and Warke.

Required text:

Simitch, A and Warke, V, The Language of Architecture, 26 Principles Every Architect Should Know

Beverly MA, Rockport Publishers, 2014

E print /e reserve available in UC Library

Hard Copy Book available via online order 

The chapter headings include:

Elements ( analysis, concept, representation)

Givens ( program, context, environment)

Physical (mass, structure, material)

Ephemeral (space, scale, light, movement)

Conceptual devices (dialogue, tropes, defamiliarization, transformation)

Organisational devices (infrastructure, datum, order, grid, geometry)

Constructive Possibilities (fabrication, prefabrication)

Presentation (projections)

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence
Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.
GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.
Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI. See https://canberra.libguides.com/genai

Professional Behaviours:

This relates to the level of collaborative and professional behaviours, exhibited in the Studio including participation in class, working within a studio group, and at all times adhering to the code of professional conduct for Architects.

Studio Engagement :

It is a requirement for the successful completion of the learning outcomes, and for professional accreditation of this unit, that students come on-campus and participate in all studio classes.  On-campus participation in scheduled studio classes is an essential part of the learning process. Engaging in academic discourse with other students and with your tutor/unit convenor will provide a greater connection to learning, garner a range of opinions and knowledge in addition to providing the opportunity for greater clarity and assistance in achieving unit outcomes.  It is the student's responsibility to contact the unit convener and tutor prior to class to let them know they are not coming to class and why. It is the student's responsibility to make up all missed information and learning from the class time.

Students are required to attend on-campus studio sessions , participating in no less than 10 of the 12 studio weeks, and to participate in all 3 Studio Reviews. External work duties, assignments for other units and holidays do not constitute relevant reasons for missing class or Studio Reviews.

NOTE: It is a requirement of Studio units  that all project submissions are  to be presented in a Studio Pin Up  in order to  pass the unit. It is not sufficient to just upload the project submission to the UC Learn Canvas site on the due date without presenting the work in the Studio Review process.  

Studio Clean Up/ Shared Use

Studios are to be cleared of work at the end of each class. Students are responsible for removing their materials, equipment, progress models and drawings as needed to ensure clear teaching spaces for subsequent studios.

Submission requirements and protocols

It is UC policy that students submit ALL assignments  on UCLearn  in the appropriate assignment portal for this unit.  

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the correct version of any given assignment is submitted by the due date and time as indicated in the unit's UCLearn site and unit outline.

Submissions that do not meet the specified content, format or other requirements may be penalised through a reduction in marks. 

Where students are required to submit models, drawings, posters or other physical artefacts that cannot be submitted electronically, students must create an electronic record (digital image, scanned copy, PDF version, or video) of the artefact and submit this in the appropriate assignment dropbox as evidence of their completed and on time submission.

Students may be required to submit preparatory field notes, visual journals or design studio portfolios, if specifically required as part of the unit assessment tasks. Students may be asked to provide evidence of these in class at the request of the unit tutor or unit convenor.

All assessments must be submitted at the due time and date and in the form and manner stated in the assessment outline.

Late submissions, received after the published due date for assignments (or later than any approved extension due date), will be penalised.

A late submission will attract a penalty in line with UC assessment policy.

All assessments must be submitted  in order to pass the unit. Under the UC Assessment Policy, re-submissions for failed work will not be accepted.

Adherence to deadlines is essential in the design professions. Students should aim to complete all work to a high standard. In the event that the assessment is incomplete at the due date, students are encouraged to submit their work at the stage they are up to.

Special Consideration

If circumstances beyond your control prevent your submitting an assignment, notify your Unit Convener at the time they occur.  You can apply for an extension due to illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances. Supporting documentation is required. Doctor's or Counsellor's Certificates, dated at the time of the difficulty, will be accepted as grounds for Special Consideration.

Critique Feedback and Return of Material

Apart from the grades/marks/comments given for the progressive assignments through UCLearn,  feedback will be provided in the form of verbal comments and critique during studio classes and at Pin Up Reviews. An ability to present, explain and justify their work is an essential task of any design professional. Students will be required to stand up, pin up, and talk to their work, presenting their ideas and explaining the design to a group. Students will be given time slots with time for questions.  During a critique students should be able to discuss the aims, design process and how they have approached the design brief.

Verbal critiques are designed to provide iterative feedback to the students on their progress against the assessment outcomes of the Design Brief. They are conducted a number of times a semester in front of peers, and students are encouraged to benchmark their work against that of others. It's often a good idea to jot down some key points for presentation and discussion and students are encouraged to enlist the help of a peer to take notes or record the feedback on their behalf during the presentation. 

The final critique, also known as a jury, is held in front of invited guests. During the final critique academics will usually undertake one of the following activities: seek information, test an argument, evaluate outcomes, or make contextual and theoretical comparisons. In return students are invited to present their own work and to evaluate their level of understanding of the learning outcomes. This two-way process necessarily elicits both positive and negative critique and can lead to misunderstandings about the process and outcomes. However, at all times, all participants can expect to be treated respectfully and ethically by staff, students and visitors, as they work in partnership to better the learning outcomes for all.

All grades will be posted on the dedicated studio unit on UCLearn. Students must retain a digital copy of their assessable work; this includes the electronic copy of physical artefacts. Students should expect that tutors will write on or otherwise alter their work as a part of the assessment and feedback process.

Non-Conforming Submissions of Assessment Items

Submissions that do not meet the specified content, format or other requirements will be penalised through a reduction in the grade.

3 dimensional physical models

Scale modelling is a primary medium of environmental design, essential to an understanding of form, materials and structure.  Modelling need not be concerned entirely with realism or authenticity – some level of abstraction of site features or materials may be more effective.  You will need to provide most of your own purchased, recycled or salvaged materials. 

Drawings and other graphics

Presentations will usually require site plans, floor plans, sections and details, elevations and perspective drawings. These can be hand drawn or digital, depending on the particular assignment. Design technical drawings should generally be to scale and labelled as such.  Presentation of earlier concept and site sketching can also be useful. Always ensure the scale of graphics is suitable for the presentation, usually viewed at a distance of around 2–3 metres.

‘Stand up' presentations

An ability to present, explain and justify your work is an essential task of any design professional. Students will be required to stand up, pin up, and ‘talk to your work,' presenting your ideas and explaining your design to a group. You will be given time slots with time for questions.  You should be able to discuss your aims, design process and how you have approached the design. It's often a good idea to jot down some key points for presentation and discussion.  If it is a research presentation, it may be beneficial to include some visual materials, rather than purely verbal narrations.

Often presentations will be to a panel of visiting critics.  This requires special consideration.  You will need to design your presentation assuming the guest has no prior knowledge of the project site, program or your previous design work.

Students should sit in on all other student's presentations and ask questions. Final presentations should provide an opportunity for group learning, and a comprehensive understanding of each other's project approaches. It makes sense to have this experience before entering the workplace.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

In order to receive a grade of Pass or better, students must bring their work in progress to studio sessions, reviews and juries as detailed in the unit outline. Assessment items that have not been presented for review during the semester as required may not be submitted for final assessment.

Participation requirements

Attendance at scheduled classes and contribution over the semester is expected. Presentation and discussion of your work in progress is essential for the development of your design skills in meeting the learning outcomes of the subject and for your architectural education. Participation in studio sessions and reviews provides important opportunities for feedback and demonstrates that the submitted work is your own.

In order to receive a grade of Pass or better, students must bring their work in progress to studio sessions, reviews and juries as detailed in the unit outline. Assessment items that have not been presented for review during the semester as required may not be submitted for final assessment.

Feedback will also be provided primarily in the form of verbal comments and critique during studio classes each week and at pin up reviews. In architectural education and practice a fundamental vehicle for receiving feedback is the verbal response or critique.

Please advise the Unit Convener if you are unable to attend a particular class or studio.

Required IT skills

As necessary to facilitate architectural studio submissions, pin ups and review presentations.

In-unit costs

Materials and equipment needed to undertake the projects, such as drawing and model making materials, and costs associated with any site visits, are generally the responsibility of each individual student. This could be in the order of $100-200 per semester. Students are encouraged to reuse and recycle materials in order to be more environmentally sustainable, this will also reduce costs for students.

Work placement, internships or practicums

 None.

Additional information

Additional information will be provided in the UCLearn (Canvas) site. Reading and complying with this information is a requirement for students enrolled in the unit.

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