SRD163 - Architecture Design Studio 01: Thoughtscapes
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Offering information | 2026 is the final offering of this unit |
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Michael Sharman |
| Prerequisite | Nil |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | SRD161 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | 1 x 2 hour lecture per week, 1 x 4 hour practical experience (studio) per week. |
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Supplementary information | Equipment Requirements: Please note students will be required to pay additional costs (not included in standard student fees) for unit related materials. |
Content
Architectural design evolves through the exploration and reappraisal of a range of ideas and propositions that lead progressively to the eventual resolution of a coherent design proposal. SRD163 introduces students to Architectural Design by exploring the complex process of thinking, where experience, meaning and philosophy are positioned as essential to the aesthetic, spatial and physical resolution of design. Students must undertake study in areas of architectural enquiry including the language of Architecture (form and order, hierarchy, scale composition and proportion); the human body and anthropometrics; and drawing upon historical precedents evident in contemporary Architecture.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Visually and orally communicate the basic principles of architectural design. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Work with a range of media in creating and representing design ideas, and utilise the basics of model making and graphic reproduction techniques. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Explain Architecture as a physical and spatial medium and demonstrate knowledge of critical and aesthetic attitudes to design, and Architecture's place in culture both historically and currently. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Drawings and models | Series of drawing and models | 30% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2 Design project | Architectural design, drawings and models | 50% | Week 12 |
| Assessment 3 Design journal | Design journal incorporating drawings, design ideas and reflection | 20% | End-of-Unit Assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SRD163 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.