University of Technology Sydney

11555 Masters Architectural Design Thesis

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 12 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10413 Bachelor of Design Architecture Master of Architecture AND 11551 Masters Architectural Design Studio 1 AND 11552 Masters Architectural Design Studio 2 AND 11553 Masters Architectural Design Studio 3 AND 11319 Masters Architectural Design Pre-thesis
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject aims to further architectural design skills through the integration of a specific research agenda of the student's own area of interest that may be tested through project-based speculations under the supervision of an advisory academic. The research agenda is developed by the student as part of a preceding special research project and may include topics such as, but not limited to, computation and digital design in architecture and manufacturing, material and construction in architecture, environmental and performance based design in architecture, urban design, and activism and the role of the architect and design within critical cultural discourse. The subject also develops a critical understanding of architecture as both a discipline with an existing body of knowledge and a set of practices that continuously challenge and add to that body of knowledge. The subject requires the testing of ideas and modes of practice in architectural design, and the production of design proposals that accurately and persuasively convey the most relevant ideas and practices. This subject is the fourth of four studio subjects required to complete the Master of Architecture degree.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

A.1. Demonstrate a capacity to take autonomous responsibility for actions and decisions
A.3. Demonstrate a capacity to position work within an extended disciplinary context
C.2. Demonstrate a capacity to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written, visual, physical and digital modes
C.4. Demonstrate a capacity to engage in, and contribute to, debate at the highest professional level
I.1. Demonstrate a capacity to develop innovative approaches
I.2. Demonstrate a capacity to understand and challenge disciplinary conventions
I.3. Demonstrate a capacity to initiate and execute meaningful self-directed iterative processes
P.2. Demonstrate a capacity to apply relevant digital and/or manual techniques and technologies to architectural practice
P.4. Demonstrate knowledge of current architectural practice
R.2. Demonstrate a capacity to independently select and apply appropriate research methodologies to carry out investigative study
R.3. Demonstrate a capacity to analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales to initiate alternative approaches
R.5. Demonstrate a capacity to reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Establish and develop an informed and ethical position towards social, technical and environmental issues and practices (A.1)
  • Communicate ideas professionally and effectively through a variety of mediums: oral, written, visual, physical and digital (C.2)
  • Produce inspirational responses that demonstrate the successful integration of sub-disciplinary areas of knowledge: history, theory, tectonics and/or practice (I.1)
  • Creatively use architectural media, technologies and materials (I.2)
  • Thoughtfully apply disciplinary learning in work, with a continuing commitment to personal professional development (P.2)
  • Define, develop and apply an appropriate design method in the execution of an architectural project (R.2)
  • Independently analyse, synthesise and formulate complex ideas, arguments and rationales and use initiative to explore alternatives (R.3)

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Assessment Task 1- Mid Review

Intent:

This assignment task is intended to bring the student thesis project into an advanced draft state for review and in depth public critique, leading to the final thesis outcomes.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

A.1, C.2, I.1, I.3, P.2, P.4, R.2, R.3 and R.5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.3, .4, .5, A.1, C.2, I.1, P.2, R.2 and R.3

Type: Design/drawing/plan/sketch
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria:

To be developed as part of the thesis topic by the thesis supervisor.

Assessment task 2: Assessment Task 2-Final Review

Intent:

This assessment task evaluate the quality and completeness of the students final design proposal.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

A.1, C.2, I.2, I.3, P.2, R.3 and R.5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.3, .5, A.1, C.2, I.2, P.2 and R.3

Type: Design/drawing/plan/sketch
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 45%

Assessment task 3: Assessment Task 3

Intent:

To create a printed record of the thesis project, with scope for critial reflection.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

A.3, C.4, I.2, P.2 and R.5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.3, .4, .5, I.2 and P.2

Type: Portfolio
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 15%