Urs Bette is a registered German architect. He holds a Masters degree from the University of Applied Arts, Vienna, and a PhD from RMIT University Melbourne. His design works have been shown at the Architectural Biennale Venice, the AEDES Architecture Gallery Berlin and the FRAC Centre Orléans. His research investigates ‘the unreasonable’ in the design process, revealing strategies that facilitate the poetics of architecture within a discourse whose primary evaluation parameters revolve around expectations of efficiency and quantifiable performance. An overview of his works can be found at www.bette.at. A record of his research is accessible at: http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/list/author_id/4551624/

Margit Bruenner holds a PhD in visual Arts and undertakes her artistic research through performative intervention, video and drawings that investigate the spatiality of affective relations. Margit undertook her Architecture Masters with Pritzker Prize winner Hans Hollein, at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna. Her works have been shown at the Museum of Modern Art Vienna; the Architectural Biennale Venice; AEDES Architecture Gallery Berlin; the Centre for Contemporary Photography Melbourne, the Australian Experimental Art Foundation; and the Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, USA. Parallel to her creative practice she is a research fellow at the University of Adelaide.

Enzo Ferraro holds a Masters degree in architecture from the University of Adelaide. His masters project ‘ Visual-Anti’ draws on reactive and passive dualities found in culture and nature, which he links through technological invention and cunning graphic persuasion. Enzo’s ongoing obsession with creative thinking has pushed him to explore design through other disciplines, including; installation, theatre and film. He balances his desire for three dimensional expression with graphic design projects, including clients like EMI and Warner Music, and works as a Design and Project Manager at Damien Chwalisz Architects.

Studio Groups
ST01_12418: Thursday, BS South, 524 - Gallery West, 10am - 1pm | lunch | 2pm - 5pm
ST02_12417: Thursday, BS South, 527 - Gallery East, 10am - 1pm | lunch | 2pm - 5pm
ST03_12416: Friday, BS South, 524 - Gallery West, 10am - 1pm | lunch | 2pm - 5pm
ST04_12415: Friday, BS South, 527 - Gallery East, 10am - 1pm | lunch | 2pm - 5pm

Lectures
Thursday 7 Mar - 7 Mar 9am - 10am Ligertwood, 231
Friday 15 Mar - 5 Apr 9am - 10am Ligertwood, 231
Friday 3 May - 31 May 9am - 10am Ligertwood, 231

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On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe and explain the formal structure, construction and function of a work of architecture as a product or response to physical as well as cultural contexts
2. Demonstrate a broader theoretical understanding of relationships between built form, content, context, concept, and construction, with particular reference to culture-specific practices, perceptions, beliefs and operations
3. Interpret culture-specific practices as generative parameters to creatively synthesise an architectural project
4. Compose an innovative design on the basis of exploration and critical reflection
5. Explore and transpose culture-specific means of representation to develop and communicate a design project
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the architect as an agent of cultural change

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Recommended publications / readings will be announced and made accessible by throughout the semester. The University library has a collection of relevant design journals, which are an excellent resource for design ideas, theoretical texts, detailing and presentation techniques. E.g. El Croquis, Assemblage, Architectural Design, Harvard Design Magazine, Log, Project, Quaderns, Architecture Review and Architecture Australia. The School has a lecture series where respected practitioners and academics speak on contemporary architectural practice. In order to expand your knowledge of contemporary directions in design it is highly recommended that you attend these lectures. Dates and details will be made available through email and on the School’s website.

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All course materials, assignments, texts, etc. will consecutively be made available through MyUni. The school uses the University email system to get in touch with the students. It is imperative that you check your email regularly and keep up to date with any new announcements. Course information and materials will be made available through MyUni. Please see the general Course Information as well as the individual Studio Groups. MyUni is an essential online tool which will be used to communicate information regarding the course including details of assignments and interim grades. There are many other learning resources and assessment pieces that rely on the MyUni system for delivery. Therefore it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the various functions of MyUni and employ it to its fullest extent.

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The format for Studio Cultures is the Design Studio, a structure that parallels industry processes for design development and resolution. Students are required to present their work each week in the Studio workshop environment, subjecting it to analysis, critique and response by staff and students.

Students must maintain a written diary of these sessions, recording the responses to their weekly pin-up. The work presented in pin-ups may include weekly in-studio design exercises and/or "work in progress" on major assignments. In all cases the work needs to be articulated and referenced in regards to the individual topics, theoretical backgrounds and practical issues pursued by the students.

The studio sessions are supplemented by a weekly lecture.

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It is a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. The University expects full-time students (ie. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote at least 48 hours per week to their studies. Accordingly, students undertaking this 12 unit course are expected to devote 48 hours per week to contact activities and self-guided study. Self-guided study should be used towards preparation of weekly pin-ups and the steady development of your project. The following figures are based on this framework, and might assist in managing your workload. The workload, established by the expected final outcome (presentation & exhibition) is significant. It adds up to a full time job! Organise your time wisely.

Total contact hours: 6 hrs per week x 12 weeks
Total self-guided study: 18 hrs per week x 12 weeks
Total workload hours: 24 hrs per week x 12 weeks

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ACTIVITIES	FORMAT	TOPIC	LECTURE
W1	studio	mapping	YES
W2	studio	evolution	YES
W3	studio	coupling	YES
W4	studio	space	YES
W5	studio	idea	YES
W6	Mid Review	presentation	NO
B1	no contact	model	NO
B2	no contact	model	NO
W7	studio	topography	YES
W8	studio	performance	YES
W9	studio	atmosphere	YES
W10	studio	drawings	YES
W11	studio	observer	YES
W12	Final Review	presentation	NO
W13	Exhibition	presentation	NO

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1 - General Semester Progress: discussions / pin-ups
Due Date: weekly Time: studio hours
Weight: 10% Type: summative
Method: pin-up / desk crit Objective: 1, 4

2 - Mid Review: Graphic Proposal with reflective commentary
Due Date: week 6, Thu / Fri Time: studio hours
Weight: 40% Type: summative
Method: pdf MyUni Objective: 2, 3

3 - Final Review: Exhibition prints + model
Due Date: week 12/13, Thu / Fri Time: studio hours
Weight: 50% Type: summative
Method: pdf MyUni, print & model Objective: 2, 3

Participation in the weekly meetings is required in order to demonstrate the projects’ progress and to take benefit from the tutors’ feedback. Students are asked to maintain a diary of comments and suggestions.

Mid- and Final Review are joint events of all studio groups with their respective tutors and invited guest. Mid and Final Reviews are scheduled during studio hours. Digital versions of presentations need to be uploaded to MyUni prior to the presentations. Presentation timelines and venues will be issued in a timely manner. Student participation in Mid and Final Review is compulsory. Work handed in but not presented in person is considered as ‘did not submit’.

1 - Semester Progress
Description: Students discuss their work in progress during weekly pin-ups and desk-crits with their studio leaders and fellow students. Those discussions should be accompanied by drawings, models, or any other materials as described in the weekly task sheet

Criteria: Students will be credited for clear and confident articulation of their work, presentation of ideas, drawings and design strategies, self-criticism, knowledge of like projects, as well as the student’s contribution to the discussion around other students’ work.
Submission: weekly pin-ups


2 - Mid Review
Description: Students show the development of their design from initial investigations, tests and trials, to preliminary ideas, concepts and a subsequent proposal, in form of screen presentation that includes reflective commentary on each of the design tasks. Work on it is supposed to commence from the start of the semester and capture the weekly discussions and pin-up sessions. The continuous editing of a presentation is a formalised way to reflect upon your design process and helps you synthesising possible solutions. The aim is to critically evaluate each steps, substantiate and test its credibility, and arrive at a coherent proposal that can be successfully communicated. Material shown may include annotated diagrams, drawings, renders, models, photographs, as well as any other material that supports the understanding of the design process.

Criteria: Students will be credited for a comprehensibly laid out booklet that gives evidence of their design thinking, demonstrating their understanding of the given or selected task / topic / problem, the rigor and intensity of their investigation, knowledge and understanding of like or relevant projects, originality and inventiveness in both approach and subsequent proposal.

Submission: Presentation via projection in a public forum. Students will be required to speak to their display and answer questions from the assessment panel. A pdf version of the booklet has to be uploaded to MyUni prior to the presentation. The file needs to be named: familyname_firstname_MID.


3 - Final Review
Description: The final design proposal is presented on 2 A0 posters. The content shall be similar to the Mid Review, however, be more focused on the final design and developed to higher detail. The presentation should be supported by annotated diagrams, drawings, photographs, renders, models, a written project description, any other material that supports the design, and as negotiated with the studio leader. It should include a graphical summary of the design process, any technical aspects that are pertinent to the scheme, and demonstrate structural considerations through physical model, axonometric drawing or section. The best works will be shown in a public exhibition at the Black Diamong Gallery in Port Adelaide.

Criteria: Students will be credited for a coherent presentation that draws a clear and legible argument from the initial investigations to the conceptual idea and final design proposal. Students will be credited for courageous investigations, demonstrated knowledge and understanding of design strategies, innovation, integration of functional and technical aspects, as well as addressing cultural, social and urban design issues. Students will be credited for a legible and detailed documentation of their designs through plans, sections and elevations, renderings and models, expressing their confidence in using the language of architectural communication.

Submission: The presentation format are 2 portrait A0 posters, accompanied by a single or multiple models. Content shall be similar to the Mid Review, but developed to higher detail. Students are required to speak to their display and answer questions from the assessment panel. The prints have to be on the wall 1/2h before the presentation starts. A pdf version of the prints needs to be uploaded to MyUni prior to the presentation. This file needs to be named: familyname_firstname_FIN.

1 - General Semester Progress: discussions / pin-ups
Due Date: weekly 
Weight: 10% Type: summative
Method: pin-up / desk crit

2 - Mid Review: Graphic Proposal with reflective commentary
Due Date: week 6
Weight: 40% Type: summative
Method: pdf MyUni & in-class presentation

3 - Final Review: Exhibition prints + model
Due Date: week 12
Weight: 50% Type: summative
Method: pdf MyUni & in-class presentation

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