Outline

Overview

In Honours Intensive Studio 1 students produce an architectural design project in response to a studio brief that critically engages with issues of contemporary concern to the city of Sydney. The specific architectural brief and its theoretical underpinnings vary from year to year. Students develop their project in a studio setting alongside their peers over the course of one week, impelled by a suite of lectures and seminars that address key themes of the project. They informally present their work in progress for critical feedback at various times during the week, and at its conclusion they present their final architectural proposition to a design jury, subsequently summarised in a portfolio.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sandra Loschke, sandra.loschke@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 8 August 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Reflective Statement (Assignment 1) Short reflective statement on the pre-readings	5%	Week -01 Due date: 28 Jul 2025 at 10:00 Closing date: 28 Jul 2025	n/a (this is a submission)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Architectural Design Proposal and Film (Assignment 2) Develop an Architectural Design Proposal and present as a film	65%	Week -01 Due date: 01 Aug 2025 at 10:00 Closing date: 15 Aug 2025	5 minute film presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Portfolio (Assignment 3) Design a digital portfolio to communicate the architectural design proposal	30%	Week 01 Due date: 11 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 Aug 2025	n/a (this is a submission)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

This unit asks you to do do pre-readings (see reading list) and preparation work (familiarising yourself with film/movie apps). You will then form teams and use the preparation work to assist you in developing an architectural proposal in response to the studio brief and present this as a short film. You will then summarise and refine your proposal and present it as a digital portolio – this is indicidual work. A daily schedule with instructions will be published in CANVAS.

Assessment criteria

Result Name/Mark Range	Description
High Distinction 85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction 75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit 65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass 50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail 0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties are outlined in the UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND PLANNING RESOLUTIONS: COURSEWORK AWARDS, Section 9. Link: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2022/542&RendNum=0#:~:text=(3)%20For%20every%20calendar%20day,of%20zero%20will%20be%20awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Pre-semester	Intensive Studio. Activities: Prepare for the Intensive studio by engaging with the unit readings and written a reflective statement for assignment 1, due on day one of the Intensive Week. The daily schedule of activities for the Intensive week will be made available on CANVAS. Activities will be team-based and include site visits, group tutorials, peer review activities, team work and presentations.	Block teaching (30 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Head of School and Dean, Associate Dean Education or relevant Unit Coordinator. The Head of School and Dean, Associate Dean Education or relevant Unit Coordinator may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Carson Chan (2010) “Exhibiting architecture: show, don't tell.” Domus (17 September 2010). https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2010/09/17/exhibiting-architecture-show-don-t-tell.html

On Curating: Politics of Display (Issue 22, April 2014):
http://www.on-curating.org/issue-22.html#.W5h1YWaB3Uo

Mertens, Deltelf. "Mies's New National Gallery: Empty and Full." In What Makes a Great Exhibition?, edited by Paula Marincola, Reaktion Books, Limited, 2007. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/usyd/detail.action?docID=1887783.

Handberg, Kristian.”In the Labyrinth of the Contemporary Condition: The Labyrinthine as Curatorial Topos of Postwar Modern in the German Art World Between 1945 and 1968” Stedelijk Studies Journal 7 (2018). DOI: 10.54533/StedStud.vol007.art09.

Klonk, Charlotte. Spaces of Experience: Art Gallery Interiors from 1800 to 2000. New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2009.
SCITECH, FISHER 70834. Pdf of relevant chapters available on CANVAS.

Löschke, Sandra Karina. "Communication Material: Experiments with German Culture in the 1930 Werkbund Exhibition." In The Material Imagination: Reveries on Architecture and Matter, edited by Matthew Mindrup, 215-36. Farnham: Ashgate, 2015.
Ebook: full text available online at USYD library website

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the key ideas and concepts in historical and contemporary architectural discourse, and critique and challenge them using the conventions of humanities research.
LO2. Work collaboratively in interdisciplinary contexts to address complex built environment problems, accommodating differing cultural values and practices to promote just outcomes and enact positive change.
LO3. Develop skills and fluency in various modes of architectural representation, including drawings, models and film to communicate convincing architectural propositions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

I hear that that this unit asked you to do a considerable amount of work within one week but that you enjoyed the intensity. This year, you will have a little bit more time more time to prepare the portfolio. I also understand that you enjoyed working as teams and you will continue to do so in 2025.

Additional information

Additional costs

n/a

Site visit guidelines

USYD Campus history tour (guided)

Work, health and safety

Please follow up-to-date University advice on Work, health and safety requirements.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BDES1028: Honours Intensive Studio 1

Intensive July - August, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links