Outline

Overview

Architectural Studio 3 is a final design studio option of the Master of Architecture. This unit requires students to produce an original design proposition in respect to an architectural brief that integrates a specific research agenda and a critical theme pertinent to current architectural discourse. In the continued engagement with critical topics, students further specialise their areas of design and research expertise. Delivered by visiting national and international architects, design practitioners and researchers, this unit will provide students with a platform to demonstrate design prowess and an engagement with critical cultural discourse. Within the programmatic framework of the studio, students will develop individual design propositions and research approaches that demonstrate skills in critical evaluation, independent decision-making and communication through multi-disciplinary collaboration and discussion with academics, practitioners, researchers, government and industry. Through thoroughly investigated, well-resolved and technically adept architectural projects, students deliver contributions to knowledge in their chosen field of investigation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MARC6010
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	MARC6000
Prerequisites ?	MARC5000 and MARC5010 and MARC5020
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Duanfang Lu, duanfang.lu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Portfolio Portfolio. Refer to Canvas for details.	10%	Formal exam period Due date: 08 Jun 2023 at 22:00	Max 6,000 words including references.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Interim Presentation I. Conceptual Design Presentation on conceptual design. Refer to Canvas for details.	20%	Week 05 Due date: 23 Mar 2023 at 22:00	15-minute presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Interim Presentation II. Architectural Resolution Presentation on architectural resolution. Refer to Canvas for details.	20%	Week 09 Due date: 27 Apr 2023 at 22:00	15-minute presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final presentation Presentation on final project. Refer to Canvas for details.	50%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2023 at 22:00	15-minute presentation
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1. Conceptual design (20%)

Assessment 2. Architectural resolution (20%)

Assessment 3a. Final project (50%)

Assessment 3b. Portfolio (10%)

Assessment criteria

Grade	Description
High Distinction 85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The design proposal 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 design proposal 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. The design proposal evidences excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass 50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed. The design proposal evidences satisfactory, though marginal quality for the majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail 1 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed. The design proposal does not evidence satisfactoryquality for the majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

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
Formal exam period	Final Design & Portfolio Review (60%)	Studio (1 hr)
Week 01	Thematic approach to architectural design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Organise groups Review Project Brief Conceptual design	Studio (5 hr)
Week 02	Framing the project	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Preliminary Thematic Framing Preliminary Site Analysis	Studio (5 hr)
Week 03	(Re)sourcing themes	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Preliminary Design Strategies: Site and Building Parti/Strategy Diagrams	Studio (5 hr)
Week 04	Reading precedents	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Developed Design Strategies	Studio (5 hr)
Week 05	Theorising the project	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Preliminary Technical Strategies	Studio (5 hr)
Week 06	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Conceptual design review (20%)	Studio (5 hr)
Week 07	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Easter Friday Recess	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 09	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Interim design review (20%)	Studio (5 hr)
Week 10	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Design Development	Studio (5 hr)
Week 11	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Technical Development	Studio (5 hr)
Week 12	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Design Development	Studio (5 hr)
Week 13	Theory lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Final Design Review Formative Assessment	Studio (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2022/542&RendNum=0

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas, and uploaded files 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.

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

LO1. Exercise critical thinking in order to empirically and creatively research a pre-existing system/precedent
LO2. Demonstrate competency in 3D modelling and scripting concepts through Rhino and Grasshopper and associated software literacy
LO3. Utilise an understanding of the parametric process in order to produce multiple imaginative solutions to a design problem
LO4. Utilise rendering software and post production techniques to successfully communicate through a carefully crafted visualisation
LO5. Integrate knowledge gained about computational strategies to the design process to enable creative and innovative solutions at various scales

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1. Design: Project briefing 2. Design: Pre-Design 2.1. Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project. 2.6. Preparation and analysis of project development options in response to project brief. 3. Design: Conceptual Design 3.1. Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose. 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 3.3. Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues. 3.5. Exploration and application of ordering, sequencing and modelling of three-dimensional form and spatial content. 3.7. Assessment and integration of construction systems and materials consistent with project brief. 3.8. Application of manual and digital graphic techniques and modelling to describe three-dimensional form and spatial relationships. 4. Design: Schematic Design 4.1. Evaluation of design options in relation to project requirements. 4.2. Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts. 4.3. Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design 4.5. Investigation and integration of appropriate structural, construction, service and transport systems in the project design. 4.6. Investigation and integration of appropriate material selection for the project design. 4.7. Coordination and integration of appropriate environmental systems, including for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics. 5. Documentation: Detailed Design 5.1. Application of creative imagination and aesthetic judgement in producing a resolved project design in regard to site planning, physical composition and spatial planning as appropriate to the project brief. 5.2. Resolution of project design addressing all building occupancy and functional aspects including spatial requirements and relationships and circulation aspects. 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. 5.6. Integration of relevant technical services, environmental and transportation systems. 6. Documentation: Documentation 6.3. Incorporation of the project requirements and objectives in accordance with Project Brief and approved Detailed Design. 6.4. Timely completion and communication of accurate and comprehensible documents that will include, as required, drawings, models, specifications, schedules and other relevant modes of information.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 4.1. Evaluation of design options in relation to project requirements. 4.2. Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts. 4.3. Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.4. Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives. 2.1. Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project. 2.2. Application of principles controlling planning, development and design for the project site. 3.1. Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose. 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 3.3. Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues. 3.4. Design response incorporates assessment of relevant legislation, codes and industry standards. 3.7. Assessment and integration of construction systems and materials consistent with project brief. 3.8. Application of manual and digital graphic techniques and modelling to describe three-dimensional form and spatial relationships. 4.3. Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design 4.5. Investigation and integration of appropriate structural, construction, service and transport systems in the project design. 4.6. Investigation and integration of appropriate material selection for the project design. 4.7. Coordination and integration of appropriate environmental systems, including for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 4.3. Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.7. Preparation of project brief for approval by client and relevant stakeholders. 2.1. Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project. 3.1. Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose. 3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. 3.3. Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues. 3.4. Design response incorporates assessment of relevant legislation, codes and industry standards. 3.5. Exploration and application of ordering, sequencing and modelling of three-dimensional form and spatial content. 3.7. Assessment and integration of construction systems and materials consistent with project brief. 3.8. Application of manual and digital graphic techniques and modelling to describe three-dimensional form and spatial relationships. 4. Design: Schematic Design 4.1. Evaluation of design options in relation to project requirements. 4.2. Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts. 4.3. Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design 4.5. Investigation and integration of appropriate structural, construction, service and transport systems in the project design. 4.6. Investigation and integration of appropriate material selection for the project design. 4.7. Coordination and integration of appropriate environmental systems, including for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics. 5.1. Application of creative imagination and aesthetic judgement in producing a resolved project design in regard to site planning, physical composition and spatial planning as appropriate to the project brief. 5.2. Resolution of project design addressing all building occupancy and functional aspects including spatial requirements and relationships and circulation aspects. 5.5. Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. 5.6. Integration of relevant technical services, environmental and transportation systems.

National Standard of Competency for Architects -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.4		Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives.
2.1		Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project.
2.2		Application of principles controlling planning, development and design for the project site.
2.4		Analysis of project brief in relation to clients objective budget and timeframe.
2.6		Preparation and analysis of project development options in response to project brief.
3.1		Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose.
3.2		Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options.
3.3		Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues.
3.4		Design response incorporates assessment of relevant legislation, codes and industry standards.
3.5		Exploration and application of ordering, sequencing and modelling of three-dimensional form and spatial content.
3.7		Assessment and integration of construction systems and materials consistent with project brief.
3.8		Application of manual and digital graphic techniques and modelling to describe three-dimensional form and spatial relationships.
4.1		Evaluation of design options in relation to project requirements.
4.2		Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts.
4.3		Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design
4.4		Inclusion of expertise of relevant specialists and consultants in developing the project design.
4.5		Investigation and integration of appropriate structural, construction, service and transport systems in the project design.
4.6		Investigation and integration of appropriate material selection for the project design.
4.7		Coordination and integration of appropriate environmental systems, including for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics.
5.1		Application of creative imagination and aesthetic judgement in producing a resolved project design in regard to site planning, physical composition and spatial planning as appropriate to the project brief.
5.2		Resolution of project design addressing all building occupancy and functional aspects including spatial requirements and relationships and circulation aspects.
5.3		Evaluation and integration of regulatory requirements.
5.5		Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties.
5.6		Integration of relevant technical services, environmental and transportation systems.
6.1		Identification and adoption of a strategy, program and process of documentation integrated through all project stages to enable project delivery.
6.2		Continuing coordination and integration of information and project material from relevant consultants, specialists and suppliers.
6.3		Incorporation of the project requirements and objectives in accordance with Project Brief and approved Detailed Design.
6.4		Timely completion and communication of accurate and comprehensible documents that will include, as required, drawings, models, specifications, schedules and other relevant modes of information.

Responding to student feedback

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

Due to the small number of enrolments in 12-cp MARC6010, students were re-assigned to 24-cp MARC6000, with reduced workload and assessment requirements: 1) Students are only required to attend lectures on Tuesdays 2-3pm and tutorials on Fridays 10am-1pm & 2-5pm. They are not required to attend the Tuesday tutorials unless they choose to do so. 2) Students are not required to submit a thesis or any work-in-progress related to thesis; Assessment 3b will be adjusted to portfolio only. 3) Students can choose to work as a team of two. The marking criteria of Assessments 1, 2, 3a and 3b will apply by excluding the thesis component.

Additional information

The use of AI tools is allowed in this unit as an experiment in architectural education, so long as students use them appropriately and acknowledge their use following related University policies. In any case, students should not present AI-generated contents as their own. Acknowledgements should be made following related guidelines.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARC6010: Architectural Studio 3

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect