Course Title: Architecture Major Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Architecture Major Project

Credit Points: 36.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1012

City Campus

Undergraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007

ARCH1337

City Campus

Postgraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013

ARCH1337

City Campus

Postgraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Amy Muir

Course Coordinator Phone: by email

Course Coordinator Email: amy.muir@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 100.9

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

You should have satisfactorily completed ARCH1335 Architecture Design Studio 9 before you commence this course. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning 


Course Description

The ARCH1337 course is undertaken following the completion of the Design Studio programs. Major Project is the culmination of the design courses, and is the capstone subject of the Masters of Architecture program. Major Project aims to develop, apply and test your architectural design skills at a high level.  Major Project is the final stage of this develop, and in successfully completing the subject you will have design skills suitable for entering the architectural profession. 

Like the design studios before, Major Project develops an understanding of a selected range of technical, theoretical, historical and professional issues, the ability to integrate this understanding into their design proposals and the communication techniques necessary to demonstrate these.  As a 36 credit point subject, those capabilities are expected to be developed and demonstrated in a correspondingly more comprehensive manner.  In addition, you will develop the ability, in consultation with your supervisor, to establish your own program of architectural investigation that can best convey your particular interests and capabilities. In conjunction with your supervisor, you will devise a program of study - a brief in architectural terms - to suit your particular architectural interests. Notes and handouts are provided each semester to guide this development and outline particular requirements for any given semester.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  • Identify, assess and synthesise expert design knowledge to solve a range of complex architectural problems in diverse contexts through original design proposals 
  • Critically analyse, evaluate and make informed arguments on a complex range of architectural problems and situations 
  • Demonstrate advanced design skills through iterative and considered design process, to resolve ideas from concept formation through to design development, 
  • Master an advanced body of knowledge and specific research and technical skills, demonstrating judgement by challenging and extending this knowledge in architecture through your design work 
  • Research and examine a large range of local and international architectural works, cultural movements and ideas, their theoretical and cultural context and relevance to design in order to form a reasoned position and apply this through design 
  • Professionally communicate, transmit and defend complex design ideas through verbal, visual and written media to specialist and non-specialist audiences 
  • Reflect upon your learning achievements in design, taking responsibility for an articulated position toward the discipline of architecture and theorise about its contribution to the profession and demonstrate this through the planning and execution of a substantial, independent Design Major Project 
  • Identify, critique and apply a comprehensive body of knowledge in relation to the legal, economic, social and political context of the practice of architecture and its regulation as a profession. 


Learning Objectives 

On completion of this course a student should be able to demonstrate:

  • An ability to conduct thorough and relevant research in developing an architectural project.
  • An ability to devise and undertake a rigorous, relevant and sophisticated design methodology
  • A high degree of formal and compositional skill.
  • An ability to resolve an architectural project with a high degree of consistency
  • Demonstrate, through the design of your project, an understanding of building program, use and inhabitation
  • An ability to devise and undertake a project of a high degree of difficulty and ambition.
  • A broad cultural engagement, evidenced through the design project.
  • An engagement with topical issues of contemporary architectural practice.
  • An ability to progress the development of a project in a timely manner.
  • Respond to commentary and critique from staff and peers, both verbally and through the development of your project.
  • A high degree of capability in producing architectural representations.
  • Effective and relevant verbal and written communication, particularly in producing a comprehensive argument for your design approach.
  • A contribution to a broader conversation of architectural concerns amongst your peers and supervisors, and the ability to develop knowledge collaboratively.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be exposed to a wide range of learning experiences. The mode of learning during Major Project is primarily through ‘practicing and doing’, the core of which is the design project. Characteristic of this mode of teaching will be the experience of regularly verbally presenting, discussing and explaining your project work in an informal critique process communicated through different types of drawings and models. Your developing project will undergo a continuous cycle of reviewing, verbal feedback and reflection between supervisors and your peers.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will develop a proposal for your project in conjunction with your supervisor, which will include relevant references and precedents.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
The University Library has extensive resources for architecture students. The library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies: http://rmit.libguides.com/architecture
The library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your liaison librarian at the central library.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. The evidence for your learning outcomes will be in the design project you present through visual and verbal means.
 

You will receive feedback on a weekly basis from your supervisor in response to the particulars of your developing project. Your work in progress will be formally presented and reviewed to a mid-semester Review Panel twice during semester, and receive verbal and written feedback as to their progress. The Review Panel typically consists three major project supervisors, including the students own.


You will present your final design work to a Presentation Panel at the end of the Major Project semester.  This presentation will be a verbal presentation of the work, typically of 15minutes duration. The Presentation Panel will then ask a series of questions examining the work, to which you will respond. After deliberation, the Presentation proposes a provisional grade for your project.

Graded Final Assessment: Digital Portfolio and Presentation 100% (all Course Learning Outcomes linked) 

Presentation of your project work. The final grade is based on holistic assessment of how well you meet all the course learning outcomes. 

The provisional grades proposed are reviewed by a Moderating Panel. For some projects, typically those with high provisional grades and those recommended for failing, supervisors briefly present their student’s projects to the moderating panel. The Moderating Panel issues final grades. Typically a Moderating Panel will consist of The Deputy Dean of Architecture, A professor of Architecture, the Major Project Coordinator, an invited staff member, and an external, senior practising architect. In some cases these panel members will be represented by others of comparable standing.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy

The Student Charter provides an overview of key responsibilities of RMIT Staff and Students to ensure a successful experience of university life. www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/