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
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
On-campus Studio 36 12 weeks 3
Specified Activities Various 48 12 weeks 4
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 54 12 weeks 4.5
On-campus Class 12 12 weeks 1
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.