86004 Design Studio: Foundations in Interior Architecture
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to the foundational principles, theories and methods of interior architecture (IA). Students build on the foundational skills and knowledge that are applied throughout their degree and future professional career.
Students develop a detailed understanding of interior design and theories of space through experience with materials, model-making, ergonomics and human factors. Students are also introduced to the core IA principles of performative space and urban interior, and gain experience with design methods, presentation and critique procedures through the development of a design project.
The design studios constitute the core vehicle for student learning and development throughout the IA program. The studios combine design tutorials, lectures, workshops, presentations and critical feedback. Students in this studio develop formal and informal experimental methods, and through rigorous, iterative practices engage in the realisation and presentation of design concepts. The design process evolves through the introduction of ideas, events, programs and spatial organisation. With related readings and theory providing context, students develop and present a design response to an interior, a site and a series of contemporary issues in the built environment.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Articulate and evaluate individual design practice |
|---|---|
| 2. | Explore configurations between context, objects and bodies |
| 3. | Challenge and interrogate theoretical speculation |
| 4. | Intensify theoretical speculation through texts and lectures |
| 5. | Explore and integrate performative strategies and practice into spatial design |
| 6. | Present a resolved final design project |
| 7. | Demonstrate competency in advanced and engaging communication methods |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to take autonomous responsibility for actions and decisions (A.1)
- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, initiate partnerships with others, take a leadership role when required and constructively contribute to peer learning and critique (C.1)
- Ability to communicate ideas effectively, including oral, written, visual, analogue and digital presentations (2D and 3D) (C.2)
- Ability to apply experimentation in thinking and practice as a means toward developing an individual design approach (I.1)
- Ability to apply and utilise appropriate communication techniques, knowledge and understanding to enable practical applications in spatial design (P.1)
- Ability to rigorously explore, apply and extend multiple representational techniques (P.2)
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of interior and spatial design precedent and to contextualise one's work within the extended discipline (R.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject uses various teaching and learning strategies to induct and engage students in foundational skills and knowledge of Interior Architecture. It is structured on a three-fold approach that includes: 1 hr interactive lectures, 2 hr tutorials and 4hr design studios.
Interactive Lectures: Students will engage with theories of space in Interior Architecture through an interactive lecture series. This includes reflective and responsive learning activities that may include presentations, videos, simulations, discussion of readings, and case study analysis.
Tutorials: Students will participate in developing knowledge of spatial theories through tutorials. This includes flipped classroom teaching and learning strategies, including students preparing discussion points, presentations and responses based on content that may include readings, videos, external activities and case study analysis. Formative feedback from tutors will be provided on a weekly basis, including feedback on group participation.
Design Studios: Students will develop and demonstrate their application of foundational skills and knowledge of Interior Architecture through problem-based teaching and learning strategies. This includes students developing multi-modal design responses and engaging in various active learning strategies that may include collaborative learning, individual work, case study analysis, brainstorming and simulation. Formative feedback from studio leaders will be provided on a weekly basis including feedback on group participation.
Expectations
It is imperative that students arrive prepared and on time for each campus and online engagement. For tutorials and design studios, bring all relevant work to class. Where no progress has been made, preparation has not been done or work has not been brought in, studio leaders are unable to give feedback. Model making is one of the corner stones of design practice. Students must bring their models to studio and/or present them online, for ongoing feedback.
The use of mobile phones for private use is not permitted during lecture, tutorial and studio. When learning via online video, cameras must be kept on at all times.
It is expected that students have their work prepared and ready to discuss within five minutes after the starting time of each class. Preparation is a requirement to receive critique. If you are unsure how to move forward on your projects, work up multiple options for discussion in studio.
Content (topics)
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This subject addresses the following issues and topics:
1.0 Iterative and generative design processes
2.0 Material analysis and possibilities
3.0 Scalar differentiation in relation to the body and event
4.0 Multiple forms of spatial representation and resolution
5.0 Project conceptualisation, resolution and presentation
6.0 Theories of spatial design
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Wearable Analog
| Intent: | Overview: Wearable Analog based on topoanalysis Aim: To develop a detailed understanding of site, theories of space, materials, model making, ergonomics and human factors. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 6 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.): A.1, C.2, I.1 and P.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Design/drawing/plan/sketch | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Deliverables:
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Design Intervention
| Intent: | Overview: Group design intervention based on performance intervention Aim: To introduce students to the foundational IA principles of performative space and urban interior and to develop their experience in design methods, presentation and critique procedures through a design project. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 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.): C.1, C.2, I.1, P.1 and P.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Deliverables: Group:
Individual:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Theories of Space
| Intent: | Overview: Theories of space assessment? Aim: To develop a detailed understanding of theories of space | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 4 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.): A.1 and R.3 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Deliverables: Individual:
| ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Attendance
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Pursuant to “UTS Rule 3.8.2”, students who do not satisfy attendance requirements, may be refused permission by the
Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.
Qwickly Attendance will be used to keep a record of lecture attendance. Students are required to 'check-in' online during the first 10 minutes of each lecture.
Students who are unable to attend for personal reasons (e.g. sickness) are to notify the subject's coordinators by email on the day of absence.
Late and Incomplete Assignments
Assignments submitted after the due time/date will incur the late penalties listed below unless a formal extension of time has been granted by the Subject Coordinator. This should be approved BEFORE the submission deadline where possible. Work submitted more than 5 working days after the stated submission date, will not be accepted for assessment unless a formal extension of time has been granted by the Subject Coordinator on receipt of a Special Consideration Form. (Please refer to the “Exemptions and Absence” and “Special Consideration” sections of the DAB Subject Information Book).
Work submitted up to 5 days* later than the deadline should have an “Extensions and Absence form” attached (with appropriate Doctor’s Certificate or equivalent documentation). Depending on the circumstances, the Subject
Coordinator may apply the following penalties:
Up to 1 day late: 10% late reduction **(24 hours from the specified deadline)
Up to 2 days late: 20% late reduction
Up to 3 days late: 30% late reduction
Up to 4 days late: 40% late reduction
Up to 5 days late: 50% late reduction
Over 5 days late: NOT ACCEPTED
• The 10% per day penalty is applied to the mark that would have been received if the submission had been on time.
• Any work submitted after 5 working days late would need a ‘Special Consideration’ document to be accepted for
assessment.
• Students cannot expect to receive verbal or written feedback for work submitted more than 5 days late.
* If equipment or software is not available for students to complete the late work, then the Subject Coordinator may
decide to exclude weekends from the number of days late in calculating the penalty.
** Where no exact time is specified for a deadline it will be assumed that the deadline is 9am on the date specified.
Required texts
The following texts are the required readings as part of the interactive lecture series. Studio groups will be assigned additional readings on a case-by-case basis. Required readings will be made available to students and should be read BEFORE the following weeks:
Week 2: Charles Rice. ‘Rethinking Histories of the Interior’. The Journal of Architecture 9, 3 (Autumn 2004): 275-287.
Week 4: Charles Rice. ‘Grotto as Interior.’ E.R.O.S. Issue VII, The Interior (2015): 173-182.
STUVAC Week 1: Auge. M. 'From Places to Non-Places.' Verso (2008): 75-115.
Week 10: Rem Koolhaas. ‘Junkspace.’ A + U Special Issue: OMA (May 2000): 17-24.
Week 11: Charles Rice. ‘Stalking John Portman’. AA Files 64 (April 2012): 21-29.