Design Approaches and Methods (PG)

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Entry into the Melbourne School of Design or approval of the subject coordinator.

Note: If you have not previously undertaken any design subjects it is recommended that you seek permission from the subject coordinator.

702-447 (ABPL40015) Design Approaches Methods (UG)

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The subject will critically explore approaches and methods in architectural design. It aims to undertake a careful, reflective engagement with a range of design approaches in architecture - from maximalist to minimalist - to examine their pros and cons, their ease of use, their outcomes and their utility and efficiency. The subject aims to assist students in developing a flexible and considered personal approach to architectural design so that they are able to judge which methods and approaches are useful in certain design circumstances.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Clarify and consolidate their personal design predilections, tastes, working methods, approaches and ambitions;
• Engage reflectively with a range of design approaches and methods to examine their pros and cons, their ease of use, their outcomes and their utility and efficiency. These features may be examined in general terms and in relation to the individual student.
• Access a flexible, considered, "horses-for-courses" approach to architectural design;
• Make balanced judgements about the optimal design methods and approaches that are to be applied to a given circumstance;
• Make informed forecasts about the design outcomes (including advantages and/or shortcomings) that result from the application of particular design approaches;
• Appreciate that works of architecture intended to be art need to cue attitudes, responses and/or interpretations in those that use them and propose how this might be achieved.

• Class participation (15%);
• A journal (45%);
• A portfolio of worked examples (40%) to a total equivalent of 5000 words.

None specified

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Awareness of different approaches to design tasks;
• Ability to select the appropriate design approach.