Architecture Laboratory PG (8409.6)

Required texts

Some texts, readings or other reference material may be identified or provided during lectures or studios. Also refer to listings posted on to the learnonline Canvas site for this unit and e reserve links. Students are expected to undertake self-directed research and sourcing of reference material as required for each project.

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.

The GenAI for StudentsLinks to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Studio Pin Up and Submission

All assessment items are to be presented in the Studio Pin Up Reviews and submitted in digital format online via the unit UCLearn site. 

Good studio practices - The following additional Discipline specific procedures are designed to ensure equity for students in the submission, feedback and assessment of projects

Submission requirements and protocols
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 learn on line 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 will not be required to submit preparatory field notes, visual journals or design studio portfolios, unless 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.

Late Submissions will not be accepted
All assessments must be submitted at the due time and date and in the form and manner stated in the assessment outline.
Only in exceptional circumstances as stated in UC policy, will applications for an extension be considered. An extension needs to be applied for in writing and in advance of the submission date where possible. The application must specify the length of the extension being sought and provide documentation such as counselling or medical certificates. 

All assessments must be submitted in order to pass the unit.
Unless otherwise stated in the Unit outline re-submissions for failed work will not be accepted.
This assessment policy is designed to be fair to all students. 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.

Feedback and return of material
Apart from the grades/marks/comments given for the progressive assignments, feedback will be provided in the form of verbal comments and critique during studio classes and at juries.
In design education and practice the fundamental vehicle for receiving feedback is the verbal response or critique. Designers are expected to listen carefully and dispassionately to what is said and respond accordingly. It is therefore important that you develop the facility for recording what is said – this may include enlisting a fellow student to take notes on your behalf during your presentation.
Unless otherwise advised, assignments, together with marks and feedback, will be available for collection from the lecturer during class. All grades will be posted on the dedicated studio stream on Canvas.
Work will not be available for collection before the nominated return date. Students must retain a digital copy of their assessable work. This may include photographing work such as physical models or scanning hand drawn work .Students should expect that tutors will write on or otherwise alter their work as a part of the assessment and feedback process.

Special assessment requirements

Studio Projects:

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 as described in the project handout. 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 satisfying conclusion to each project. 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.

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.

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 submission and presentation, and use the unit learn on line Canvas site.

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 $300 or more per semester.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Additional information will be provided in separate handouts available on the unit UCLearn Canvas site. Reading and complying with this information and instruction is a requirement for students enrolled in this unit.

Announcements
Announcements made during studios, seminars, lectures, or posted on to the unit UCLearn site and/or sent to your University of Canberra student email address, will be deemed to have been made to the whole group. Students are responsible for regularly checking the Canvas site and their UC student email.

Consultation with Staff
Contact with staff should generally be within the allocated class times. Consultation outside of these hours shall be by prior appointment, and in addition to, not in lieu of, the scheduled class time. Students who fail to attend classes, and who do not have a Medical or Counsellor's Certificate or other genuine reason for missing classes, should not expect additional tutorial or consultation time.

Please note: staff are not able to return calls to long distance or mobile telephone numbers after normal hours or on weekends or holidays. Emails are normally not checked or answered at nights, on weekends or on public holidays.
Teaching staff (and particularly part-time staff) may not be able to attend to phone calls or reply to emails immediately. Please ensure any urgent matters are brought to their attention within the studio session or request assistance in notifying the Convener through the Administrative Assistant for the Course.

Retained Work
Due to the requirements of professional accreditation samples of student work will be retained and stored at the School for periods of up to three years. Where possible, each student should make a copy of any assignment (prior to submission) as that work may be retained and inaccessible thereafter.

Late Collection of Assignments
Architects, and architecture students, are expected to take responsibility for their work. In the context of the design studios, this is considered to include both submitting the work on time, and collecting it following assessment.
Collection times will be advised for submissions where appropriate. Where a project/assignment is not collected by that time, the project is subject to a 5% grade penalty. The project may be discarded without further notice. This penalty will not apply when prior arrangements have been made with the Unit Convener, or when the work is being retained, such as for accreditation.

End of Semester Clean Up
Studios are to be cleared of work and generally cleaned up at the end of each semester. Projects not removed by the advertised date may be discarded without further notice.

• Semester 1, 2026, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (230237)
• Semester 1, 2025, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (224173)
• Semester 1, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (217542)
• Semester 1, 2023, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (212082)
• Semester 1, 2022, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (206655)
• Semester 1, 2021, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (199402)
• Semester 1, 2020, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (194369)
• Semester 1, 2019, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (187918)