The Professional Practice stream of courses is a core subject area within the architecture program and forms a key study stream supporting design studio learning and the School of Architecture and Urban Design’s integrated practice research model.

Together, the two compulsory courses develop competencies and skills outlined in the ACCA competency standards for accreditation as well as the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) Education policy. It will enable students to enter practice under the supervision of an architect and to apply for registration following completion of required practical experience. The professional practice stream prepares students for working in an expanded field of practice and to shape our built environment by understanding the systems that fund, procure, sustain, qualify and quantify it’s existence.

The course is underpinned by the idea that professional practice and project management are tools that enable architects to create value through the design of practice models, the delivery of projects, and the development of innovative approaches to procurement. The course draws on conceptual frameworks for understanding the profession, value creation, contracts, procurement, and practice organisation; uses case study examples; invites industry practitioners to share insights; and highlights the broader contexts in which architecture is conceived, negotiated, and executed.

This course supports students in becoming critical and informed participants in a changing professional landscape, whether working within established firms, contributing to innovative project teams, or developing new models of architectural practice and delivery.

Architecture Professional Practice 2 examines how architecture can create and expand value, both through the structure of practice and the delivery of projects. The course contextualises architectural practice within the legal, ethical, and financial frameworks that shape the profession, including building law, economics, procurement models, and professional conduct.