MARC4001: Semester 2, 2020

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Units MARC4001 Semester 2 2020 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

MARC4001: Urban Architecture Research Studio

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

The Urban Architecture Research Studio examines the role and agency of architecture in the urban context - interrogating the internal and external parameters that act on the design process at incremental urban scales and intensities and engaging with the social, economic, environmental, legislative and managerial frameworks that shape urban development. The studio will prompt students to develop critical positions in response to a studio brief selected from one or more options that probe urban issues, 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

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Duanfang Lu, duanfang.lu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Sebastian Tsang, sebastian.tsang@sydney.edu.au
	Francois Blanciak, francois.blanciak@sydney.edu.au
	Duanfang Lu, duanfang.lu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assessment 3. Portfolio and Participation Journal Graphic documents	30%	STUVAC Due date: 23 Nov 2020 at 17:00 Closing date: 07 Dec 2020	Maximum 40 pages for portfolio
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 1. Interim report and presentation Graphic documents and verbal presentation	40%	Week 08 Due date: 11 Oct 2020 at 22:00 Closing date: 25 Oct 2020	12-minute presentation for a team of two
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2. Final Design Project Graphic documents and verbal presentation	30%	Week 12 Due date: 15 Nov 2020 at 22:00 Closing date: 29 Nov 2020	12-minute presentation for a team of two
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

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 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
STUVAC	Portfolio submission (60%)	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 01	Lecture: Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
	Sensing the Site	Field trip (2 hr)
	Introduction, team formation, site discussion and information mining	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Architecture and the City	Lecture (1 hr)
	Social Infrastructure	Field trip (1 hr)
	Site analysis	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Postproduction	Lecture (1 hr)
	Postproduction	Field trip (1 hr)
	Research and design development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Program-Driven Design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Connectivity	Field trip (1 hr)
	Design development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Guest Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Design Development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Guest Lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Design development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Interim Presentation	Presentation (5 hr)
Week 08	Tectonics and Materiality	Lecture (1 hr)
	Placemaking	Field trip (1 hr)
	Design Development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Architectural Models	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Design Development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Guest Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Design Development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Guest Lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Design Development	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Final Presentation	Presentation (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Participation in this unit is required via online components.
The field trips are subject to pending university approvals and changing travel restrictions in relation to COVID-19. While they are highly recommended for students located in Sydney, they are not required for students out of town. They can be replaced by virtual tours and/or online research to meet the learning outcomes.

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

Readings and Electronic Resources

Students are expected to conduct their own research and select readings as appropriate for their individual projects. Required readings for Weeks 1-6 are available on the Canvas. The list of recommended readings is in the unit outline.

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. formulate, interpret and communicate appropriate concepts derived from a study of the program/brief and context/site
LO2. develop a design proposal in response to critique
LO3. produce a persuasive architectural proposition which demonstrably embodies understanding of the principles associated with the specialised study area
LO4. communicate design ideas effectively through appropriate graphic and three-dimensional means using architectural conventions
LO5. cohesively design and execute a comprehensive presentation of the project
LO6. independently and comprehensively explore relevant theories and issues raised during the design.

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.

A novel blended teaching strategy of what I would name as “the Roomless Class” is adopted this semester to meet the learning outcomes under the COVID-19 impact. Lectures and tutorials will be taught online via Zoom, with face-to-face interaction provided via five site meetings, during which full-time tutors will walk through the project site and selected projects and discuss them with students. As an Urban Architecture Research Studio, the educational objective of site meetings is to use the city as our “classroom”, with selected projects as sources of inspiration for students. Weekly Formative Tasks are added to help students progress week by week.

Additional information

Additional costs

Costs associated with model making.

Site visit guidelines

- Please carry with you your student ID card during field trips. It is highly recommended that you wear a mask where 1.5m social distancing cannot be reasonably maintained when travelling to and visiting sites.

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

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

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