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ARCH72-502: Architecture and Urbanism: Design Thesis Studio

Description

The Architecture and Urbanism: Design Thesis Studio is the final studio project in the Masters sequence and represents a synthesis of comprehensive architectural understanding. Students will develop an architectural proposal that engages with contemporary cultural, environmental, technical or social context. Projects must be situated in relation to a broader context to demonstrate, reflect, and question the validity of the proposal and its impact on the field and/or society at large. This subject builds upon skills and concepts developed in the Studios and other complementary subjects in the Master’s program. The design proposal will already have been developed and explored during the Design Thesis Research and Development subject. Architectural and urban design proposals must be developed to an advanced 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. Design thesis propositions must demonstrate a level of intellectual rigour and ambition to meet the expectations of Master's level research. Students will be expected to engage in self-directed research in architectural design. Students will develop and submit a design proposition demonstrating critical thinking, reflection, analysis and the ability to translate complex ideas into an architectural proposition.

Subject details

Type: Postgraduate Subject
Code: ARCH72-502
EFTSL: 0.250
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:
  • September 2025 [Standard Offering]
  • January 2026 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 20
Study areas:
  • Architecture
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2025: $10,720.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $10,940.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $12,300.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $12,860.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Develop an interrelated architectural and urban design proposition from inception to resolution, applying independent judgment in relation to conceptualisation, research, siting, and reflection.
  2. Synthesise iterative speculative design work with evidence-based research to resolve competing factors in a design proposition.
  3. Critically reflect on iterative design outcomes to develop a body of work demonstrating societal benefit and to situate that work within disciplinary, historical, social, environmental and cultural frameworks.
  4. Write and compile a design research document demonstrating theoretical positions, ideas and intentions informing the design proposition.
  5. Represent interrelated architectural and urban design proposition visually, demonstrating formal, spatial, material, sociocultural, and environmental considerations using contemporary architectural visualisation and making techniques.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

There are no co-requisites

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions: This subject is not available to
  • Study Abroad Students

This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.

Subject dates

  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 20/07/2025
    Semester start: 15/09/2025
    Subject start: 15/09/2025
    Last enrolment: 28/09/2025
    Teaching census: 10/10/2025
    Withdraw - Financial: 11/10/2025
    Withdraw - Academic: 01/11/2025
  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
    Semester start: 19/01/2026
    Subject start: 19/01/2026
    Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
    Teaching census: 13/02/2026
    Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
    Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 20/07/2025
Semester start: 15/09/2025
Subject start: 15/09/2025
Last enrolment: 28/09/2025
Teaching census: 10/10/2025
Withdraw - Financial: 11/10/2025
Withdraw - Academic: 01/11/2025