Design Practice Futures and Immersion

General Information

This subject will focus on the business and ethics of architecture by applying creative and speculative design methods to develop an emergent and value-driven model of architectural 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 a 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 the management of risks, quality assurance, procurement, organisational systems, marketing, staff resourcing and management, finance, health and safety, copyright and quality assurance. Values explored in the architecture studio subjects will provide a further line of inquiry and focus.

The subject is run in an intensive seminar format relevant to the assessment tasks, including reports and student presentations. In addition, students will gain first-hand experience through a 10-day work placement in a practice, selection criteria based on GPA and portfolio will apply. Students not qualified for the work placement will complete a studio-based assignment.

Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design
Subject code: ARCH71-147
Subject title: Design Practice Futures and Immersion
Subject level: Postgraduate
Semester/Year: September 2026
Credit points: 15.000

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Restrictions:

Nil

Assurance of learning

Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.

At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.

Find your program

Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

  1. Define and describe the legislative structure of the profession, including the Architects Act, registration, and the responsibilities of an architect under this legislative and ethical structure, including copyright, intellectual property, and moral rights.
  2. Examine the different models of architectural practice, organisational structures, and their applications.
  3. Describe and explain practice management, including the client architect agreement, reporting, insurance, quality assurance, financial, resource, client and risk management skills required to establish and run an architectural practice.
  4. Critically analyse current issues facing architectural practice locally, nationally, and internationally in the context of contemporary challenges and opportunities of technological disruption, climate emergency, biodiversity breakdown, population displacement, and inequality.
  5. Demonstrate the creation of a value driven practice model that challenges the status quo of the profession and is an agency for change.

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment

The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.

  • Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
    Case Study§ Analysis of practice 40.00% Week 6 1,2,3,4
    Written Report Mix Media Assignment: Design and business plan of a future practice model + work placement report. 60.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4,5
    • § Indicates group/teamwork-based assessment
    • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
    • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

  • Assessment criteria

    High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking.
    Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas.
    Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above.
    Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment.
    Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines.

    Quality assurance

    For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.

Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
Case Study§ Analysis of practice 40.00% Week 6 1,2,3,4
Written Report Mix Media Assignment: Design and business plan of a future practice model + work placement report. 60.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4,5
  • § Indicates group/teamwork-based assessment
  • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
  • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

Study Information

Submission procedures

Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.

Policy on late submission and extensions

A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.

Academic Integrity

Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.

Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.

If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.

Feedback on assessment

Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.

Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.

Accessibility and Inclusion Support

Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).

As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.

For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.

Additional subject information

Intensive study will take place over certain weekends.

Subject curriculum

Approved on: May 16, 2025. Edition: 1
Last updated: Jul 17, 2025