Construction Methods A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Admission into one of the following courses

MC-ARCH Master of Architecture (300-point entry)
MC-ARCH3Y Master of Architecture (300 points)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject, running intensively in week 2 of semester 1 at the University of Melbourne's Dookie campus, explores the idea of construction as a process linking specific principles, materials, elements, systems and techniques strategically. Using a set of individual construction types as case studies, Construction Methods A will review and explain the physical anatomy of given technological types, emphasising parameters concerned with connectedness, stability, assembly and performance. Students will learn techniques to represent these types with drawings and models.

Week 1 of semester is conducted at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. This class has students outlining the subject overview and preparation work relating to health and safety.

The objectives of the class are as follows:

• to relate basic building principles to small to medium scale construction projects;
• to understand logics, conventions and challenges of technical representations;
• to appreciate both the relationship and the distance between building conception and building implementation;
• to transform this appreciation into an interpretative framework for the organization of small to medium scale architectural practice.

1. Workbook 1 (equivalent to 2500 words), Week 2 (50% in total) comprising:

• Primary report should be submitted in day 3 of week 2 (equivalent to 1000 words , 20%) and

• At the conclusion of Week 2 students submit Workbook1 (30%)

2. Workbook 2 (equivalent to 2500 words) due week 8, (50% in total) comprising:

• Primary report due week 6 (equivalent to 1000 words, 20%) and

• Final Workbook 2 (equivalent to 1500 words, 30%)

Each Workbook includes written and/or graphic submissions (e.g. tutorial exercises, class presentations, materials, construction or site reports, construction drawings and models) due in weeks 2 and 8 to the total equivalent of 5000 words.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students will have the ability to:

• Identify and follow the logics of construction;
• Communicate with peers and the community at large concerning construction matters;
• Select materials and systems to achieve coherent three dimensional designs;
• Select and work with constructional types suitable to building scale and function;
• Identify and access necessary areas of knowledge.

Week 2 of semester is conducted at the University of Melbourne Dookie campus (2.5 hours from Melbourne) from Sunday 6 March to Friday 11 March inclusive. Food and drink is at the student’s own expense.

Notes: Students will need to purchase safety boots, safety glasses, hard hat and ear muffs before the start of semester. Approximate cost $150. Enrolled students will be notified about travel arrangements, accommodation, food and other information including safety requirements prior to the start of semester.

Safety boots, safety glasses and ear muffs are required for workshop activities in this subject (to be provided by the student).