Course Title: Provide design solutions for residential buildings

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: ARCH5310

Course Title: Provide design solutions for residential buildings

Important Information:

Please note that this course has compulsory engagement attendance requirements for teaching activities.

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see when this course requires mandatory attendance. 

School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6188 - Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)

Course Contact: Catherine Ciavarella

Course Contact Phone: +61399254818

Course Contact Email: catherine.ciavarella@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 100

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply the theories and principles of design to the design of residential buildings (National Construction Code (NCC) Classes 1 and 10) construction.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU23452 Provide design solutions for residential buildings

Element:

1.Research the key elements of architecture in residential building design

Performance Criteria:

1.1 

Identify architectural terminology and language for application in research. 

1.2 

Identify emerging residential design trends and key themes of change to inform application in practice 

1.3 

Develop knowledge of Australian architecture through review and critical analysis of the design concept, influences and features of recognised works and emerging trends. 

1.4 

Identify and record the principal characteristics of residential architectural styles. 

1.5 

Review elements of global architecture for their influence on Australian regional residential architecture. 

Element:

2.Determine principles for residential building design

Performance Criteria:

2.1 

Research sound and innovative design solutions and analyse its application to identify tectonic concept. 

2.2 

Explore the relationship between art, architecture and nature to explore the intent of the design and determine the application of form, functionality and aesthetics in design. 

2.3 

Research the relationship of human behaviour, functionality of spaces and aesthetics of architectural facades 

Element:

3.Apply design principles to the context of a residential building site

Performance Criteria:

3.1 

Analyse the project brief to determine client requirements for the design. 

3.2 

Analyse the correlation between human behaviour, function, aesthetics, typology, neighbourhood character and site context to determine patterns of movement, spatial relationships and the visual goals determined by the project brief. 

3.3 

Develop circulation patterns/bubble diagrams to illustrate patterns of movement and spatial relationships. 

3.4 

Integrate social, sustainable and technical factors according to relevant building and planning regulatory requirements and contextual and site restraints. 

3.5 

Establish information of precedent buildings to facilitate application to current concept development. 

3.6 

Analyse and apply planning controls to design to comply with local council regulations. 

Element:

4.Develop and express ideas through freehand sketching

Performance Criteria:

4.1 

Produce sketches using appropriate media to interpret design solutions and concepts and to illustrate details of construction, structural and aesthetic elements of the design. 

4.2 

Use visualisation techniques to enhance readability and interpretation and to display a range of material finishes. 

4.3 

Produce sketches with accurate proportions and according to project timelines. 

Element:

5.Resolve and communicate design solutions to a residential built form

Performance Criteria:

5.1 

Evaluate and integrate architectural theories to a conceptual program. 

5.2 

Research features of comparable building designs to inform the development of the design solution. 

5.3 

Combine design theories, concepts and ideas to produce the design solution. 

5.4 

Integrate elements of human needs, environment, sustainability, technology and Livable Housing Design Guidelines into the concept design. 

5.5 

Review a range of design options and select the most appropriate for development. 

5.6 

Confirm the developed design solution against the project brief and communicate to relevant stakeholders through appropriate presentation media. 


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you will be required to apply the theories and principles of design to the design of residential buildings, (National Construction Code (NCC) Classes 1 and 10) construction.  
The course requires the ability to research, analyse and evaluate information on the history and elements of architecture and their influence on current practice. It includes developing a design response, which meets the requirements of a project brief, and communicating a final design
solution to relevant stakeholders.  This unit applies to building designers who apply the principles, theories and emerging trends of design to residential building projects within the legal responsibilities of building designers.


Teaching Schedule

Week Task
01-01 AT01 - Issued
01-02 AT02 - Issued
01-06 AT01 - Submitted
01-09

AT02 - Submitted

AT03 - Issued

01-16  AT03 - Submitted
02-01  AT04 -  Issued
02-16  AT04 - Submitted


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

  • Owen Hopkins, Architectural Styles: a visual guide, Laurence King Publishing, 2014.
  • Francis D. K. Ching, A Visual Dictionary of Architecture, Wiley, 2011.
  • Francis D.K. Ching, Architecture Form Space & Order, Wiley, 2014.
  • Lorraine Farrelly, The Fundamentals of Architecture, AVA Publishing, 2012.
  • Lorraine Farrelly, Basics Architecture: Representational Techniques, Fairchild Books, 2015.
  • Lorraine Farrelly, Basics Architecture 02: Construction and Materiality, AVA Publishing, 2009.
  • Kari Jormakka, Basics Design Methods, Birkhauser Architecture, 2007.
  • Bert Bielefeld & Sebastian El Khouli, Basics Design Ideas, Birkhauser Architecture, 2007.
  • Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris, Basics, Design Layout, AVA Publishing, 2005.
  • Jan Krebs, Basics Design and Living, Birkhauser Architecture, 2018.
  • Anthony di Mari, Operative Design, (A Catalogue of Spatial Verbs), BisPublishers, 2012.
  • Charles Doidge, Rosie Parnell & Rachel Sara, The Crit, an Architecture Student’s Handbook, Routledge, 2016.
  • NCC Volume 2, https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/login
  • AS2890 Off Street Carparking, Standards Australia, (access via RMIT Library).
  • AS1428 Disabled Access, Standards Australia, (access via RMIT Library).
  • Understanding Rescode.pdf (Weblink)
  • Planning Schedules 54 & 55.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS. 


Assessment Tasks

AT-01 - Residential Design Project 01

AT-02 - Residential Design Project 02

AT-03 - Residential Design Project 03

AT-04 - Residential Design Project 04

Refer to the Canvas Task page for project brief & submission requirements.


Assessment Matrix

An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available on Canvas.

Other Information

Assessment Task 

Assessment Task 1 - Product 

Assessment Task 2 - Product 

Assessment Task 3 - Product 

Assessment Quizzes - Knowledge 

Assessment  

This course is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment. 

  

CA: Competency achieved 
NYC: Not Yet Competent 
DNS: Did Not Submit for Assessment 

  

All work for assessments is required to be submitted on the due date and time as outlined in the Assessment Tasks. Exception to this is where an approved Equitable Learning Services plan after discussion with teacher, an application for Special Consideration or an approved Extension of Time is in place, submitted before the task’s due date with appropriate documentation. Any extensions will be in relation to the original submission date only. There are no extensions to resubmissions. 

  

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission) 

 

All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. 
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension of time for your assessable work. 

 

Please see following access for the details on applying for extension of time to assessments; 

Special consideration; 
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration   

  

Application for extension of time; 
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work 

  

Equitable assessment arrangements (EAA); 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/equitable-learning   

If your work is incomplete, you are strongly encouraged to submit your work on the due date, in order to meet the submission requirements. Should it be below competency you may be asked to resubmit within 5 working days. 

 

Assessment matrix 

An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available from the course contact person (stated above 

Other information 

Attendance  

The major learning experience involves studio-based exercises, demonstration and production. 

It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to be successful in this course. 

Canvas 

Use Canvas to access your course content and announcements, submit assignments, and receive your grades and feedback;  

All course communication to and from students is to be through Canvas only.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/it-services-for-students/canvas 

Student feedback at RMIT: 

You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects. 

The following link is an outline and ways that you will receive your feedback at RMIT; 

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/feedback-mechanisms 

Student Progress Monitoring  

Academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. 

Please see following access to the Student progress policy webpage; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress 

Submitting Assessments onto Canvas 

Here is a guide to submitting assessments on Canvas; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/submitting-assessments-in-canvas 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism  

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. 

Please see following access for more information on Academic Integrity at RMIT; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity 

    

 Orientation 

It's time to get ready; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/new-student-guide  

Get involved in student life at RMIT 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview