Architectural Design Studio 3 (Construction)
Overview
In this unit, students will learn about material systems and fabrication processes in design projects and their environmental impact. The students will expand their knowledge of construction methods, design standards, and appropriate technology and learn how to use this information to create cohesive project briefings leading to design outcomes. Students will also enhance their communication skills by using 2D and 3D computational techniques to represent their design ideas and gain an understanding of the relationship between digital information and physical construction.
Requisites
Rules
Pre-requisite
ARC20001 Architectural Design Studio 2 (Socio-economic Contexts)
AND
Co-requisite
DIA20003 Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 1
Assumed Knowledge
An ability to use computational modelling, analysis and representation.
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Formulate and evaluate a project brief and interpret the project brief as a design outcome.
- Analyze and evaluate the properties, characteristics, and performance of different building materials and construction systems in relation to their structural, environmental, and aesthetic qualities.
- Develop an understanding of construction technology and basic engineering principles, including building systems, structural design, and construction methods, and apply this knowledge to the design and construction of architectural projects.
- Use digital and physical modelling tools to explore and represent design ideas and concepts and to communicate technical information about building materials, construction details, and construction sequences
- Develop an understanding of sustainability and environmental issues in architecture and construction, including energy efficiency, passive design strategies, and sustainable materials and construction methods.
- Identify and demonstrate the processes of technical design and integration of structure, construction technologies and service systems into a functionally effective whole; and the sources of specialist information and expertise
- Describe and illustrate active and passive service systems for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics and their relationship to natural systems. Apply knowledge gained from an analysis of the site, its context, and the environment
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Studio | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| On-campus Studio | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 17.00 | 12 weeks | 204 |
| TOTAL | 300 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Individual/Group | 15% | 2,3,4 |
| Presentation | Individual | 15% | 1,4,6,7 |
| Project 1 | Individual | 10% | 2,3,4 |
| Project 2 | Individual | 60% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Content
- Exploration of architectural design, theory, and philosophy
- Exploring design, structural and material systems
- Examination of sustainable design issues and options
- Workshop experience to develop 3D modelling
- Develop techniques for the presentation of form studies and modelling
- Presentation of design concepts by illustration and verbally
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.