Overview

This unit explores the ethical, business, legal and legislative aspects of architectural practice. It investigates the means of establishing a business plan model for an architect including the operations, marketing, and financial planning - alongside the requirements for professional registration, insurances, and copyright.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Formulate a business plan suited to a particular architectural practice model
  • Assemble and monitor ongoing financial planning for a business
  • Describe the operations of the relevant authorities involved with the profession
  • Assess risk involved in the practice in terms of professional negligence, ethical behaviour, and insurances

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
On-campus Studio 36 12 weeks 3  
Specified Activities Various 48 12 weeks 4 Online readings, Group work
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 54 12 weeks 4.5  
On-campus Class 12 12 weeks 1 Seminar
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Project 1Group 20% 3,4 
Project 2Group 40% 1,2 
Project 3Individual 40% 1,3,4 

Content

  • Overview of the construction industry: an examination of the roles and responsibilities of different participants and stakeholders
  • Investigation of the role of the architect (contemporary and future) and the impact of globalised markets
  • BIM (building design, construction management, preconstruction, construction, sustainability, facility management)
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.