86530 Design Studio: Knowledge Spaces

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.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 86005 Design Studio: Inhabitations AND 86004 Design Studio: Foundations in Interior Architecture
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

... It is no coincidence that the word ‘curator’ is etymologically related to ‘cure’: to curate is to cure. Curating cures the powerlessness of the image, its inability to show itself by itself. Exhibition practice is thus the cure that heals the originally ailing image that gives it presence, visibility; it brings it to the public view and turns it into the object of the public’s judgment (Groys 2009). This Studio focuses on the interior design of Knowledge spaces, including Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Learning spaces. The Design Studio is driven concurrently from a design and a curatorial position and involves a research component, a written component and a significant design and documentation component.

The scale of engagement varies (depending on the studio leader) from built-in furniture scale detailing (for example, in an archive) to biennale scale exhibitions involving multiple interventions across various sites. The Studio foregrounds individual student research as a driver for the design of interior space and form. It is focused on the adaptive reuse of existing buildings to create knowledge spaces rather than creating new architectural objects. The interior focus of the Studio highlights narrative structures, spatial narrative, circulation patterns, planning, light, materials, colour, technology, detail and display strategies as integrated design components. In addition, the design studio addresses pragmatic concerns, including; sustainable practice, accessibility, safety, cultural awareness and heritage concerns.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Conceptualise design briefs.
2.	Articulate and evaluate individual design practice.
3.	Understand and challenge given precedents.
4.	Reinforce trans-disciplinary techniques.
5.	Challenge and interrogate theoretical speculation.
6.	Explore and integrate performative strategies and practice into spatial design.
7.	Present a resolved and cohesive final design project.
8.	Demonstrate proficiency in advanced and engaging communication.
9.	Demonstrate capacity to work both individually and as part of a team.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

• Ability to develop and establish an informed and ethical understanding and/or position toward social, technical and environmental practices (A.2)
• 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 understand and generate design propositions across a diverse range of design scenarios and negotiate final propositions with multiple stakeholders (I.2)
• Ability to initiate and execute meaningful self-directed iterative processes (I.3)
• Ability to apply and utilise appropriate communication techniques, knowledge and understanding to enable practical applications in spatial design (P.1)
• Ability to reflect on, challenge and interrogate theoretical speculation (R.4)

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

Classes incorporate focused teaching and learning strategies, including short presentations, videos, lectures, field trips, discussion of readings and student individual and group work presentations, complemented by independent student reading and research.
The design studio is an intense, fast-paced and highly interactive learning format. It is taught collaboratively by practising design professionals and UTS academics. In each studio session, students receive formative feedback and reflection from studio leaders and peers while working iteratively towards the final design project.
Design communication methods include sketches, plans, drawings, models and reflective and analytical writing.
This subject includes interactive and collaborative learning experiences through lectures and design studios.

This subject uses an inquiry-based learning strategy that involves students researching and developing their own/group solutions to complex problems and scenarios.
This subject aims to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task to assess your English language proficiency and determine your subject-specific learning objectives.

Grades and feedback are available through ReView and/or CANVAS.

Content (topics)

1. History and definition of knowledge spaces
2. Precedent studies in knowledge spaces
3. Exhibition studies and design
4. Spatial Narrative
5. Spatial planning and composition
6. Iterative design processes
7. Critical thinking and reflection
8. Design experimentation
9. Design and compositional theory

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Design (re)Brief Local Precedent Study and Annotated Lecture notes

Intent:	Task 01 - Design (re)Brief - 10%. Research into themes, technologies and content to inform the individual design program and design intent, resulting in a research-based briefing (or re-briefing) document that acts as a foundation for your design work. The document can contain (as applicable) dramaturgical notes, research context, concept statement, curatorial statement, sketch designs, reference images and diagrams. Further information on your Group's Design Studio Handout in CANVAS This task includes a milestone assessment component that evaluates English language proficiency. You will be guided to further language support after completing this subject if your results in this milestone task indicate you need more help with your language skills. Task 01A - Local Precedent Study - 15%. Presentation and uploaded report. Local Precedent Study. Verbal Group Presentation and uploaded portfolio presentation - further information in your Group's Design Studio Handout in CANVAS and the Precedent Study Handout also in CANVAS Task 1B - Annotated lecture notes - 10%. Please upload your annotated lecture notes at the end of the semester (19.05.2024) as a single .pdf upload via CANVAS - further information in your Group's Design Studio Handout in CANVAS and the Annotated Lecture notes also in CANVAS
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 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.2, I.1, I.3, P.1 and R.4
Type:	Portfolio
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	35%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Ability to understand, explore and challenge the spatial and compositional qualities of a given set of precedents. 30 3 R.4 Ability to critically and theoretically engage with the brief, and to generate a thoughtful and speculative response to it. 20 2 A.2 Ability to utilise different media (drawings, film, readings, performance, etc.) to inform and produce a design proposal. 20 4 I.3 Ability to effectively present and communicate the project. 20 8 P.1 spatial narrative and circulation addressed and understood 10 6 I.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Interim Design Presentation

Intent:	Interim Presentation Assessment task 2 is the Design Development interim presentation comprising Drawings, Sketches, Models and an oral presentation (10 minutes per student). Please refer to your group's Design Studio Handout in CANVAS - for details of the specific requirements.
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 5 and 8 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.2, C.2, I.2 and I.3
Type:	Presentation
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	15%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Ability to critically and theoretically respond to the brief 30 1 A.2 Ability to convey your research through your design presentation. 10 5 I.3 Ability to effectively present and communicate your project through models 30 2 I.2 Ability to communicate the intent of your design proposal through drawings 30 8 C.2 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Final Design Presentation

Intent:	Assessment 3 is the Final Design and Documentation Presentation comprising of Drawings, Sketches, Models and Documentation Drawings presented in person (or via zoom) - Then upload a .pdf portfolio and (digital) model as required by your studio leader. Please refer to your Studio leader and your group's Design Studio Handout in CANVAS for details of the specific requirements and presentation schedule
Objective(s):	This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 5, 7 and 9 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, I.2, I.3, P.1 and R.4
Type:	Presentation
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	50%
Criteria:
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Ability to critically and theoretically resolve your initial proposal 20 1 R.4 Ability to develop ongoing research over the assessment 15 5 I.3 Ability to effectively conclude and communicate your project through models 25 2 I.2 Ability to resolve the intention of your design proposal through your final drawings 25 7 P.1 Ability to work individually and as a Team 15 9 C.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Pursuant to UTS rule 2.5.1, students who do not satisfy attendance requirements may be refused permission by the
Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.
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.

To be clear, if you do not attend 10 out of the 12 lectures, the University reserves the right not to grade any of your work, and you will fail the subject.

In the same way, if you do not attend 10 out of the 12 Tutorials / Studio sessions, the University reserves the right not to grade any of your work, and you will fail the subject.

Missing any classes seriously impacts your learning and makes completing assignments very difficult.

If you find yourself in a position where you are in danger of breaching the attendance regulation (due to illness or other exceptional circumstances), please get in touch with the subject coordinator immediately.

Students are expected to read weekly reading material and view suggested online material. The readings, lectures and tutorials are interconnected systems supporting the subject's intended learning outcomes. If students are concerned about their literacy skills, they are encouraged to contact the UTS Higher Education Language and Presentation Support (HELPS) service as early as possible.

Required texts

Refer Studio Handout

Recommended texts

Refer Studio Handout

References

Refer Studio Handout

Other resources

Refer Studio Handout