Architectural Finishes

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Quota 40

Students will be selected into the subject as they self-enrol during the timely re-enrolment period. If the enrolment quota is exceeded, priority will be given to MC-UCH students, and then to MC-ARCH students. Any students enrolling after the quota has been reached will be withdrawn from the subject and advised of the alternative subjects available.

For detailed information on the quota subject application process and due dates, refer to the EDSC Quota Subjects webpage: http://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/quota-subjects

170 hours

Admission into a course at the Melbourne School of Design.

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

The investigation and conservation of integral, applied and decorative surface finishes and other decorative building elements.

To impart skills in the documentary investigation and physical analysis of architectural finishes, basic laboratory analyses including uses of the stereo binocular microscope in investigating surfaces finishes, sampling methods for applied finishes, and related matters.

• 1 x practical, field, laboratory or documentary exercise( equivalet to 1500 words), which will take place during the teaching period, worth 30%.
• 1 x journal due end of teaching period (equivalent to 1000 words), 20%.
• 1 x written report of 3000 words or equivalent, due five weeks after the end of the teaching period, 50%.

English Heritage, Practical Building Conservation (10 volumes), 2012

Barbara Appelbaum, Conservation Treatment Methodology, 2010.




Phyllis Murphy, Decorating with Wallpaper c.1840-1914, Melbourne, 1987.


William Millar, Plastering: Plain and Decorative (reprint edition) 2004.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• the use of the microscope in paint investigation;
• the sampling of wallpapers;
• the use of documentary sources on decoration