Outline

Overview

This practical unit focuses on critical engagement with materiality and form. The course introduces fundamental knowledge and technical skills for students to produce a series of 3D objects through a series of casting and complimentary construction techniques including high-definition casting. Students will work with a broad range of traditional and experimental materials. Emphasis is placed on developing students' material and spatial awareness of three-dimensional forms in context and investigating their conceptual applications. Students will be required to design, plan and produce a series of sculptural works, utilizing mediums and techniques explored throughout the semester. Additionally, students will critically contextualise and discuss their projects against historical precedents and contemporary practices that inform their creative inquiries. Postgraduate students will further investigate possibilities to expand their project into an ambitious site-based intervention.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DESA9013
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	AWSS2027
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Project 2: Thinking Through Context Oral presentation with objects (documentation pdf) and written statement	40%	STUVAC Due date: 31 May 2023 at 18:00	30x30x30cm, 10MB, 5 minutes, 100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Journal Journal	30%	STUVAC Due date: 31 May 2023 at 18:00	A4 Journal PDF w800word analysis
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 1 - Object of dichotomy Oral presentation with objects (documentation pdf) and written statement	30%	Week 07 Due date: 05 Apr 2023 at 18:00	15x15x15cm, 5MB, 5 minutes, 100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Journal (Formative) Journal	0%	Week 07 Due date: 05 Apr 2023 at 18:00	Process entries from week 1-6
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment Project 1, The Object of Dichotomy: This project looks at how materials and form affects the meaning of an object. For this project students are required to produce two different objects cast in the same material, OR, one object cast in two different materials. You must critically analyse your process and outcomes to understand how this shift in materiality OR form affects the conceptual meaning of your objects. You will therefore have to comprehend the semiotic meaning inherent to materials and forms and how their consideration can imply or create meaning. This project will be supported by presentations, individual consultations, and technical classes to help you develop your project.
Assessment project 2, Objects and their Contexts: This project looks at how context can change the possible meanings of an object. For this project students are required to develop a project using casting as your primary process to create an object or a series of objects that are to be considered in various contexts of your choosing. This project will be supported by presentations, individual consultations, and technical classes to help you develop your project.
Journal: Your Journal documents your leaning, your research and development, and processes used in the making of your assessment projects. The journal is a site to test, record, explore and experiment. Students are required to keep a journal sketchbook to record your week-by-week class notes and independent research. The journal should contain drawings and images to illustrate the progress of your ideas and work at different stages of completion and notes about processes taught in class. It should show the development of your ideas through reflection and research and demonstrate a critical process of thinking and visualizing, a realistic and critical self-evaluation of your work.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

Project 1 & 2 -10% per day Journal -5% per day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to casting - materials, process, and concept / Casting the Built Environment: Materials and Process	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	Casting the Built Environment: Concept	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	Introducing Assessment 1, The Object of Dichotomy / Experimental Casting - demonstration by tutor	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	Thinking THROUGH materials/process/concept	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	Preparing for assessment 1 submission	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	Preparing for assessment 1 submission	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	Assessment 1 Due, Presentations and reflection on outcomes as a group	Studio (3 hr)
Week 08	Assessment 2 Introduction, casting and context / casting in high resolution - the simulacra and the hyper-real	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	Casting in high resolution - the simulacra and the hyper-real - critical considerations and examples	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	Casting in Metal and Glass - process/materials/concept. Critical discussion on the use of "traditional" or "prestigious" materials - the politics of materiality.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	Project 2 development - individual consultation/self-driven work	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	Project 2 development - individual consultation/self-driven work	Studio (3 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Assessment 2 Presentation and verbal feedback Concluding discussion/feedback	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and Study Commitment:

Students should note that participation to all classes is essential. Please arrive on time and participate in the full class session.

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Independent Study: In addition to 3 contact hours per week, students are expected to spend 6 -12 hours per week on independent study for this unit.
Absence: If you are absent from a class it is important that you do the work missed in class in your own time and submit the work for assessment at the specified time.

Required materials: Pencil, pen, Stanley knife, 30cm ruler, scissors, and bring your visual journal to every class.

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

All weekly readings and additional material will be made available on Canvas.

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. critically engage with ideas in the field of contemporary 3D practice; sculpture, spatial practices, visual arts, especially as these ideas relate to students own practice of architecture
LO2. critically and creatively apply a range of primary and secondary research sources to develop your thinking and practice
LO3. critically select and integrate these sources into your own thinking, making and documentation
LO4. develop and apply both traditional and experimental techniques in a variety of materials
LO5. plan and achieve a goal by researching and developing two projects in sculpture
LO6. demonstrate the commitment to utilise a visual journal to express ideas, research and sketches
LO7. demonstrate personal self-reliance, by taking responsibility for self-directed learning.

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.

Unit is constantly updated in consultation with the tutor and DMAF

Additional information

No class in week 13 to minimise assessment clashes.

The unit may be adjusted for each session. Please refer to information and materials provided on Canvas for any changes and updates.

Additional costs

Students are required to pay an additional material fee online in week 2 the latest. Payment receipt to be checked by the tutor in week 3. Students who have not completed the payment will lose access to materials required for this unit of study. Payment method will be advised via Canvas.

Work, health and safety

DMaF LAB SAFTEY INDUCTION AND COMPETENCY UNIT:
Access within all areas of DMaF Lab is strictly subject to completion of the Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU). This ensures that all users of the Lab are informed as to the operation of its extensive and complex machinery in a safe manner. You may need access to DMaF Lab to complete coursework, please ensure that you have completed SICU and have obtained your DMaF Lab Competency Card by Week 4. Teaching sessions for SICU will only be available during the first few weeks of each semester.

How to complete DESA1555 - Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU):
• The course is two sessions, each three hours in length and includes written and skill-based assessment.
• Please select DESA1555 Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU) from your Canvas dashboard and sign up to one
Timber and one Metalastics teaching session.
• Once both workshop sessions have been successfully completed, take the SICU Exam (Online Quiz) through Canvas and
receive a 100% grade.
• Upon completion of the SICU, you may obtain your DMaF Competency Card. It is mandatory to display your DMaF Lab
Competency card whilst using the facilities.
• If you have any queries or questions about the SICU, please write to adp.sicu@sydney.edu.au

Please check with DMAF for weekly Lab opening hours to manage your access during the semester.
http://dmaf-lab.com/

*Studnets are required to wear appropriate footwear to enter labs and workshops

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

DESA9013: Arch and Design Material Processes (Casting)

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect