Course Title: Architecture Professional Practice 2

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Architecture Professional Practice 2

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1038

City Campus

Undergraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007

ARCH1334

City Campus

Postgraduate

315H Architecture & Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013

ARCH1334

City Campus

Postgraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

ARCH1472

RMIT University Vietnam

Postgraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

Viet1 2018

Course Coordinator: Helen Duong

Course Coordinator Phone: +613 9925 3555

Course Coordinator Email: helen.duong@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 100 Floor 09 Room 002-12 WS

Course Coordinator Availability: Appointment via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

You should have satisfactorily completed Architecture Professional Practice 1 (ARCH1331) before you commence this course. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

The Professional Practice stream of courses is a core subject area within the architecture program and forms a key study stream supporting design studio learning and the School of Architecture and Design’s integrated practice research model. 

 Together, the three compulsory courses develop competencies and skills outlined in the ACCA competency standards for accreditation as well as the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) Education policy, and will enable students to enter practice under the supervision of an architect and to apply for registration following completion of required practical experience. The professional practice stream also prepares students for working more broadly within an expanded field of practice and in shaping the built environment by developing an understanding of the complex systems within which the built environment is shaped, funded and procured. 

 The Professional Practice subject area is underpinned by the idea that professional practice and project management are tools which enable architects to turn design ideas into built outcomes. Each of the three compulsory courses is presented with case study projects and invited lectures from industry and practice with intention of highlighting the context within which architecture is practiced and innovative design projects are realised. 

The objectives of the course are to:  

Provide a knowledge base to prepare you for registration as an architect; 

Encourage you to critically engage with areas of professional practice by introducing key legal, ethical and financial issues and concepts and project possible future scenarios for the profession; 

Exercise your ability to independently research, analyse and integrate key areas of professional knowledge (law and economics), procurement methods and design skills; 

Introduce you to a selection of issues and changes impacting architectural practice today and ask you to form your independent position in relation to these. 

Architecture Professional Practice 2 is the second course in this stream and extends the knowledge and skills introduced in Architecture Professional Practice 1. This research based course begins by looking from outside the profession to understand the complex context within which architecture is practiced. You will be introduced to and asked to explore in detail aspects of building law, building economics, procurement models and professional conduct which shape major projects. The aim of this course is to develop your deeper and expanded understanding of the profession of architecture and to look critically at its relationship to social, economic and political environments. It will exercise your ability to research and integrate key areas of professional knowledge through your own work and asks you to establish and defend your position on key issues facing the profession and the city. 

This course includes a work integrated learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where input from industry and/ or community is integral to your experience. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

Students in MC163 undertaking this course will develop the following program learning outcomes: 

  • Research and examine a large range of local and international architectural works, cultural movements and ideas, their theoretical and cultural context and relevance to design in order to form a reasoned position and apply this through design 
  • Professionally communicate, transmit and defend complex design ideas through verbal, visual and written media to specialist and non-specialist audiences 
  • Reflect upon your learning achievements in design, taking responsibility for an articulated position toward the discipline of architecture and theorise about its contribution to the profession and demonstrate this through the planning and execution of a substantial, independent Design Major Project 
  • Identify, critique and apply a comprehensive body of knowledge in relation to the legal, economic, social and political context of the practice of architecture and its regulation as a profession. 


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Describe and discuss a general knowledge of the economic, social and political forces at work in the building industry and the built environment;
  2. Identify and analyse how projects are financed across a variety of sectors and key concepts such as feasibility, life-cycle costing and project cost appraisal;
  3. Recognise and classify key stakeholder and community consultation processes as they relate to major projects;
  4. Define the relationship of the architect to other professional consultants, contractors, clients, and stakeholders;
  5. Apply research skills which to integrate and extend knowledge introduce in the course and through independent research;
  6. Critique and make professional judgements on a range of internal and external social, political and economic factors shaping architecture as a profession;
  7. Propose and argue a researched position in response to a number of issues relating to current and future practice.

 

This course addresses core competencies included in the Architect’s Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) National Standard of Competency for Architects. Through successful achievement of the course learning outcomes listed above you will have demonstrated the following performance criteria:    

1.4 Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives. 

1.5 Knowledge of different procurement processes available and evaluation of the impact these have on the project. 

7.1 Selection process for appropriately qualified contractors is in accordance with procurement method and project contract 


Overview of Learning Activities

 

Professional Practice is taught in face to face mode through a combination of lectures and guest lectures with an extensive backup of online resources. The lecture/seminar learning modes are extended with group projects and regular feedback and review sessions.

 The course will comprise a mix of lectures from staff and external practitioners and seminar tutorials in smaller groups. Students will be constantly challenged to relate their understanding of the lectures to class discussion.

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities including:

  • Self-directed research and presentation of findings 
  • Attending lectures, tutorials and participating in class discussion 
  • Research through library holdings and online sources, indirect and primary sources 
  • Written, visual and verbal presentation of research presented in progress and through a detailed final report 
  • Critical and constructive feedback to peers 

Professional Practice courses incorporate high levels of work integration through assessment tasks and learning activities. Students simulate the resolution of practice and professional issues in design projects with assistance from industry tools and documents. The course includes external lectures from professional architects and consultants. In addition, the core staff and sessional tutors are predominately practicing architects.
 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

The Professional Practice subject area has an extensive backup of online resources with a dedicated library web portal including an interface with the AIA’s Acumen, the BCA and other related professional links. The course has a dedicated Canvas site where you can access lecture notes, handouts, assignments and additional resources. 

This is a research based course and requires students to develop locate, review and adapt knowledge through independent research. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and through seminar tutorials.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.  


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities. 

Assessment will include a series of projects and assignments which are designed to develop your understanding of how architecture is procured and delivered, the roles and responsibilities of the architect in each of these methods, frameworks of governance supporting the profession that impact project from a social, economic and environmental context, as well as simulating expanded architectural engagement processes. 

Assessment will include both group and individual work through written reports and position papers, in class presentations and your seminar participation across the duration of the course. 

Assessment Tasks: 

Assessment Task 1: Procurement and Delivery’ (50%), CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 

Assessment Task 2: Costing and Briefing’ (50%), CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.