Subjects overview
This program can be completed in 1 year 4 months (4 semesters)
Required Subjects
Students must complete the following one hundred and thirty credit points (130CP) of subjects.
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ARCH71-112: Contemporary Theory of Architectural Design and Urbanism (10CP)
This subject exposes students to the current architectural and urban theories in contemporary practice and disciplinary discourse, which builds upon the knowledge students acquired during undergraduate studies on 20th and 21st-century architecture and urban planning within a wider historical context. Knowledge of contemporary theoretical and conceptual frameworks is intended to inspire creative topic development for the forthcoming Master of Architecture Design Thesis in developing one's own architectural position. The subject allows each student to contextualise a future proposal for the Master of Architecture Design Thesis by providing theoretical foundation for it through readings, precedent/case study investigations, speculation, reflection, critical thinking and rigorous analyses of relevant concepts and emerging trends in the discipline of architecture and environmental design nationally and/or internationally. The students are also encouraged to investigate topics addressing Country and First Nations' knowledge in design. The goal is to acquire skills in gathering information from various sources, defining the relevant key concepts, and synthesising the existing body of knowledge to support the theoretical foundation of each student's subsequent design thesis project.
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ARCH71-118: Architectural Practice: Management and Procurement (10CP)
Architectural Practice: Management and Procurement develops knowledge and skill in the fundamental skills, strategies, and relevant information to conduct professional architectural practice, focusing on project management and project procurement. The subject is run in a seminar format, including forums, discussions, and guest talks relevant to the assessment tasks including reports and student presentations. Project management skills and procedures, including attention to contracts, legislation, codes, standards, and other frameworks for the procurement and delivery of projects, shall be covered. Project lifecycle, including pre-design, brief writing and checking, schematic, developed, and contract documentation phases and contract administration, are also addressed. An application of how to organise project documentation, drawings, specifications and contractual agreements, forms part of the assessments.
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ARCH71-119: Architecture and Urbanism Studio: Designing the City-Region (10CP)
This subject is an advanced Architecture and Urban Design project supported by seminars presented by staff, visiting lecturers and distinguished practitioners. The design project will focus on a significant hypothetical development site as an emerging centre in light of urban growth and the need for civic spaces in city regions. This Studio develops architectural design interventions in the context of the dominant contemporary city region, exploring urban design strategies and place-making towards addressing issues that many cities are facing, including civic spaces, heritage, culture, densification, liveability, resilience towards climate change while meeting the United Nations goals for sustainable cities and communities.
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ARCH71-120: Architecture and Urbanism Studio: Country (15CP)
The studio advocates design thinking related to Country: how do we care and work with and on Country? Students will develop architectural responses to contemporary challenges facing our built environment, including urbanisation, climate change, and diminishing resources. Students will develop appropriate design methods and concepts to emphasise the agency of architecture in effecting changes through place and identity, First Nation knowledge, interdisciplinary perspectives, inclusive access and well-being. Space-making is increasingly evolving as trans-disciplinary knowledge with different worldviews. In this studio, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and contribute to an active discourse with researchers and practitioners from architecture, anthropology, First Nations knowledge and related disciplines. The aim is to facilitate collaborative problem-solving through an exchange of ideas and a deep understanding of cultural context. This studio offers a compulsory travelling component (within Australia or internationally) with a unique experience for students to examine the inseparable interplay between culture, sustainability, architecture, landscape and care for the Country. When an international study tour is planned, students are responsible for applying for their own travel visa and participation is subject to visa approval; alternative teaching activities will be organised for students not able to participate in international travel.
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ARCH71-123: Architecture and Urbanism Studio: High Performance Building (15CP)
Architecture and Urbanism Studio: High-Performance Building focuses on researching and designing a single, comprehensive architectural project over the semester through either a civic or hybrid typology. Students will engage with a broad community of professionals, stakeholders, and programmatic conditions. Students shall conduct analysis and research to inform high-quality design outcomes that are attendant to social, cultural, ethical, regulatory, technical, community, and environmental issues. Students are expected to develop projects to a high resolution in terms of spatial and experiential quality, technical proficiency, and conceptual rigour, underpinned by theoretical and historical knowledge, and communicated clearly. The work will demonstrate competency across fundamental architectural skills, including site analysis, conceptual and design development, evaluation of design options, and integration of environmental systems, building services and structures in a resolved and technically proficient proposal. Projects in the studio will be of a large scale, urban setting, and complex building type with a thematic emphasis that will change from year to year under the umbrella of contributing to the overall research direction of the School of Architecture. Students will be expected to engage in the studio with a high degree of individual motivation, resourcefulness, and inquisitiveness, as expected of professional-level studies.
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ARCH71-124: Design Practice Futures and Frameworks (10CP)
This subject will focus on the business and ethics of architecture through the application of creative and speculative design methods to develop an emergent and value-driven model of architecture practice that challenges the status quo. The model will be informed by the synthesis of the development of a set of ethical values, an architect’s role as public advocate, an understanding of the Architects Act and critical analysis and research of practice precedents in the context of contemporary challenges and opportunities of technological disruption, the climate emergency and biodiversity breakdown, population displacement and inequality. Investigations will focus on specific areas of risk, procurement, organisational systems, marketing, staff resourcing and management, finance, health and safety, copyright and quality assurance. Values explored in the Architectural Design and Urban Thesis subject will provide a further line of inquiry and focus.
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ARCH71-126: Design Systems for Environmental Sustainability (10CP)
This subject introduces the principles of building science (energy, climate and comfort), materials science (embodied energy and energy transfer), building envelopes and net-zero design for a sustainable built environment. Considerations of bio-climatic, socio-cultural environment, and context complement an ecological understanding. Beyond a building physics and energy-efficient building design approach, this course encounters the physiological and socio-cultural responsibility of the built environment to include critically analysing environmental design theory and sustainability concepts. Strategies and propositions for net-zero carbon and resilient built environments are developed to contribute to solutions to the UN Agenda 2030 SDGs. In an inclusive seminar environment, students examine (individually and collectively) environmentally responsive design, the Whole Life Carbon implications of architecture, and synthesise findings for sustainable architecture and urban design. Guest speakers and field trips complement a real-world engagement with industry, government, cultural organisations and allied stakeholders.
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ARCH71-127: Design Thesis Research and Development (10CP)
This subject sets out the premise of design research for an individual student's forthcoming Design Thesis Studio (ARCH72-502). Through evidence-based design research, the subject advances students to design and research methods, ethical, environmental, social, cultural, and aesthetic considerations, representation techniques, reflective practice and critical thinking in design. Students are assessed based on investigatory assignments, which involve developing a theoretical framework, design concepts and methods relevant to the student's proposed Design Thesis project through reading, writing, critical reflection, experimentation, making and/or other visual mode of representation. This includes explorations of such issues as conceptual ideas, based on an initial design hypothesis, methods of design including options, site selection and analysis, appropriate typology, programming, brief development, and other pertinent tasks in the evolving thesis proposal. The proposal's ambition and scale must demonstrate societal and cultural benefits contributing to contemporary architectural discourse beyond the individual. The outcome is presented to a review panel for evaluation as a foundation for the Design Thesis Studio (ARCH72-502).
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ARCH71-139: Digital Design and Intelligent Construction (10CP)
This subject introduces the evolving trends and advanced technologies that challenge traditional architectural and construction practices. Through a combination of forums, workshops, guest speakers, field visits, and case studies, the subject will explore a range of new approaches, processes, and methods that are reshaping design and construction. By critically engaging with notable real-world case studies, students will gain an understanding of best practices and emerging trends that are redefining the future of architecture and construction. Students develop a critical understanding of the rapidly evolving industry, where digitalization, automation, and human-centric design intersect and its impact on design and construction.
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ARCH72-502: Architecture and Urbanism: Design Thesis Studio (20CP)
The Architecture and Urbanism: Design Thesis Studio is the final studio project in the Masters sequence and represents a synthesis of comprehensive architectural understanding. This studio-based subject shall focus upon the development of a single project over the duration of the semester which explores subjects related to a contemporary cultural, environmental, technical or social context. This subject builds upon skills and concepts developed in the Studios and other complementary subjects in the Master’s program. The subject matter for this project will already have been agreed upon and explored during the Design Thesis Research and Development subject, during which students will have undertaken significant research, site analysis, brief development, and concept design. Projects are required to be developed to a high degree of resolution in terms of tectonic, spatial and experiential quality, contextual, cultural, social and environmental considerations, technical proficiency, and conceptual rigour to demonstrate the potential significance of the thesis proposition. Projects may vary in scale, site, project brief, and complexity per topic. The proposal's ambition and architectural scale must demonstrate societal and cultural benefits contributing to contemporary architectural discourse beyond the individual dwelling typology. Students will be expected to engage in the work of the thesis at the highest level of individual motivation, resourcefulness, and inquisitiveness as would be expected of professional-level studies. Students shall develop and submit a design document and critical reflection of their thesis investigation - 3000 words minimum or equivalent. This work is a continuation of the design report commenced in the Design Thesis Research and Development subject. It aims to situate the work into a broader context to demonstrate, reflect, or question the validity of the thesis proposition and its impact on the field and/or society at large. The thesis design is to be presented to fully communicate the nature of the project according to its context and theoretical underpinning.
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DIGM70-202: Creating AR and VR for Design (5CP)
Creating AR and VR for Design will investigate emerging technologies, such as 360 video, VR, AR, and mixed reality. Students will learn fundamental human-centered design principles, including affordance theory and user interface design as it applies to HCI (human-computer interaction). Students will use Unity3D and other supporting software.
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SDCM70-309: Building Services (5CP)
In this subject, you will be introduced to a range of building services, including electrical, mechanical (HVAC), hydraulics, and fire protection services for medium to large scale, multi-storey buildings. On completion of this subject, you will be able to identify the appropriate services for a particular building, and estimate spatial requirements and distribution paths for various systems. Additionally, you will be equipped with the foundational knowledge required for effective communication with building services professionals.
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Alternate Choice
Students must choose ten credit points (10CP) of the following subjects.
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SSUD71-215: Urban Design and Place Making Principles (10CP)
Urban Design is the field that brings together the contributions of the built environment professions to shape the urban form and quality of life offered by our cities and towns. This subject introduces key urban design ideas, using existing urban areas as the vehicle for analysis and understanding. Students will get to know and develop knowledge and skills needed by built environment professionals for the creation of urban places that are environmentally, economically, socially and culturally rich and sustainable.
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SSUD71-237: Infrastructure and City Economics (10CP)
The subject explores the role of economic development and city planning in the development of soft and hard infrastructure that leads to economic prosperity for urban centres. The subject develops a comprehensive understanding of land development markets within cities. It then focuses on levels of governance and private investment responsible for infrastructure development and evaluates key drivers including political, social and environmental challenges in the realisation of infrastructure implementation. This subject will enable you to critically assess the socio-political context and explain key urban theory such as urban consolidation, environmental conservation offsets and the importance of building future capacity within infrastructure. You will engage with real live projects, stakeholders and a range of practitioners while participating in interactive lectures and blended learning activities. You will also participate in online activities and reflective professional practice activities to build relevant experience in the design and land development industry.
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General Electives
Students must choose twenty credit points (20CP) of postgraduate subjects from across the University.
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University Postgraduate Electives
Students may choose from all postgraduate subjects across the University that are available as general electives.
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Study plan
Take the guess work out of planning your study schedule. Your program's study plan has been carefully curated to provide a clear guide on the sequential subjects to be studied in each semester of your program. Your study plan is designed around connected subject themes to equip you with the fundamental knowledge required as you progress through your course.
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