Professional Core of Architectural Studies
The Architectural Studies curriculum has five types of courses which are taught using
distinct learning modes. These are: Design Studios, Architectural History and Theory,
Technology, Visual Communications and Disciplinary Elective courses.
Apart from Design 1 and 2 which are 6 credits all other design studio courses are 12
credits. All other courses are 6 credit courses. All Design Studios and the majority of
Architectural History and Theory, Technology, and Visual Communication courses are
offered in two parts with Part I running in the first semester and Part II running in the
second semester of a single academic year. This split is designed so that the knowledge
and skills learnt in each course can be directly related to concurrent project work in the
Design Studio course, to allow a more specific and structured approach to student
learning.
The Design Studio, Architectural History and Theory, Technology, and Visual
Communication courses are assessed through 100% continuous coursework
assessment.
Architectural Design Studio Courses
(6 credits requiring approximately 180 hours of student learning activities per course,
otherwise 12 credits requiring approximately 360 hours of student learning activities
per course)
Each of the studio courses is a semester course.
These courses engage students, under staff guidance and supervision, through a range
of problem-based design exercises addressing core and related issues essential to the 
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training of an architect. The studio projects provide opportunities to apply key
architecture theories and concepts learned in concurrent courses.
Teaching is conducted in lectures / workshops / review sessions (24-36 contact hours
for a 6-credit course and 96 contact hours for a 12-credit course), and involves working
on projects in both group and individual formats. Work is regularly presented and
discussed in critical review sessions. Site visits, data research and practical workshops
are required. The courses are assessed on the portfolio of project work produced, as
well as contributions to discussions and activities in the studio sessions. For both 6-
credit and 12-credit courses, assessment is 100% continuous coursework assessment
of an architecture project represented in drawings, diagrams, photos, renderings,
animations, physical models, prototypes and project presentation.
ARCH1079 Design 1 (6 credits)
ARCH1080 Design 2 (6 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH1079 Design 1)
ARCH2079 Design 3 (12 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH1080 Design 2)
ARCH2080 Design 4 (12 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH2079 Design 3)
ARCH3079 Design 5 (12 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH2080 Design 4)
ARCH3080 Design 6 (12 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH3079 Design 5)
ARCH4079 Design 7 (Capstone Experience) (12 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH3080 Design 6)
ARCH4080 Design 8 (Capstone Experience) (12 credits)
(Pre-Requisite: ARCH4079 Design 7)
Architectural History and Theory courses
(6 credits requiring approximately 120-180 hours of student learning activities per
course)
Collectively these courses examine the theories and practice of architecture through a
comparative study of the history of architectural design and urbanism, in various
geographic and cultural contexts. Teaching is conducted in lectures / workshop /
review sessions (24-36 contact hours per course), and the course work includes reading
of critical texts, site visits, research, case studies and the preparation of assignments,
essays and reports. Work is regularly presented and discussed in critical review
sessions. The courses are assessed through 100% continuous coursework assessment.
Continuous assessment is usually by various methods including PowerPoint
presentation, reports (up to 10,000 words), short essays (1,500 – 2,000 words), quizzes,
projects and/or sketch books.
ARCH2058 Architectural History and Theory 1 (6 credits)
ARCH3058 Architectural History and Theory 2 (6 credits)
ARCH3062 Architectural History and Theory 3 (6 credits)
ARCH4603 Architectural History and Theory 4 (6 credits)
ARCH4606 Architectural History and Theory 5 (6 credits)