Outline

Overview

The Digital Architecture Research Studio explores the application of digital technologies in architectural design and fabrication, and explores their potential to reinvigorate architectural discourse, develop new forms of architectural expression and make significant contributions to improving productivity and sustainability in the built environment. The studio will prompt students to develop critical positions in response to a studio brief selected from one or more options that probe the possibilities of digital design and fabrication and extend and explore those positions through a research-based architectural design process. MARC4001 Urban Architecture Research Studio, MARC4002 Sustainable Architecture Research Studio and MARC4003 Digital Architecture Research Studio are all available in both Semesters 1 and 2. Students may enrol or pre-enrol freely, but some will be asked to swap to create equal groups. After three semesters each student will have done each of the studios. The studios examine the relationships between architecture and urbanism; architecture and sustainability; and architecture and digital design. Each is based around one or more design projects which address a specialised area of study, supported by lectures and seminars which introduce the relevant theory, knowledge and design precedents. Studios require the investigation of key technical issues and systems, and their innovative integration in the design, with the preparation of appropriate documentation. On the successful completion of these units, students will have demonstrated: an ability to formulate, interpret and communicate appropriate concepts derived from the study of brief and site; an ability to extend those starting points into a working design proposal; an ability to develop the design proposal in response to critique, and produce a building design which demonstrably embodies understanding of the principles associated with the specialised study area; an ability to communicate the design ideas effectively through appropriate graphic and three-dimensional means using architectural conventions; and an ability to cohesively design and execute a comprehensive presentation of the project. These units are core to the Master of Architecture.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MARC4003
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rizal Muslimin, rizal.muslimin@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Yi-Ju Tseng, yi-ju.tseng@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Joseph Emmi, joseph.emmi@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rizal Muslimin, rizal.muslimin@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Rizal Muslimin, rizal.muslimin@sydney.edu.au
	Cristina Aranzubia Hernaiz, cristina.aranzubiahernaiz@sydney.edu.au
	Nathan Brasier, nathan.brasier@sydney.edu.au
	Zie Liu, zie.liu@sydney.edu.au
	Ivana Seizova, ivana.seizova@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Final portfolio review Digital Portfolio	20%	Formal exam period Due date: 15 Jun 2020 at 12:00	2 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Preliminary Research Online Presentation and Digital Report	30%	Week 07 Due date: 06 Apr 2020 at 10:00	6 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Parametric Modeling take-home exam using Rhino/Grasshopper on students' device.	10%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2020 at 17:00 Closing date: 13 Apr 2020	1 week
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final project review Online Presentation, Online Poster, and Digital Model	40%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2020 at 10:00	6 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Preliminary Research: In groups of 2, students will focus primarily on investigating the project requirement, computational methods through literature review and weekly exercise, and developing initial rule-based design strategy to deliver the project brief.
Parametric modelling: This individual assessment monitors the student’s basic skills in parametric modelling. The assessment corresponds to the lab-tutorial materials and example questions for students to exercise will be provided in the lab.
Final project review: Students will need to transfer previously acquired research towards detailed design and prototyping for the design brief of a strategy suitable for the site and tested through design principles.
Final portfolio review: Collation of the semesters work in A4 size report. This will be submitted as a digital and physical copy. All models and panels will be submitted again as part of this submission.

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.

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 studio	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper introduction	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Introduction to studio brief and research interest as groups	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	Parametric Design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper beginner	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	Rule-based Design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper intermediate	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	Guest Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper advanced topic	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
	Project Case	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper advanced topic	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
Week 06	Grasshopper advanced topic	Computer laboratory (3.5 hr)
Week 06	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	Presentation, feedback and parity	Studio (4 hr)
Week 08	Physical Simulation 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper Advance Topic	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	Physical Simulation 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper Advance Topic	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	Parametric Visualization	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper advanced topic	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	Practice Case	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper help desk	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	Studio wrap up	Lecture (1 hr)
	Grasshopper help desk	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
	Group tutorials	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

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. independently research, analyse, and synthesise diverse sources of design and digital media knowledge through appropriate measures, develop personal initiative, and critically review personal design research
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of design driven by multiple parameters (program, context, and structural systems), and their impact on implementation as a design driver for an architectural project development
LO3. demonstrate an adequate level of computational design skills through a suite of different software programs (Rhino, GH, and relevant GH plugins)
LO4. develop, test, document, and communicate your design process and a major project at various scales, through a variety of analogue and digital media, as models and prototypes
LO5. resolve a complex design situation and creatively shape a major design project to a high level of detail and technical resolve (modelling)
LO6. understand a building project cycle and the roles and responsibilities of the architect and other participants in a design team
LO7. communicate your semester work in a precise, clear, and coherent work documentation in the portfolio.

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.

Submission dates for assessment 1a and 1b are extended

Additional information

Additional costs

This unit has costs associated with it for digital fabrication (such as laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC), material expenses, and printing.

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARC4003: Digital Architecture Research Studio

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - 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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect