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UWA Handbooks 2012 - Units
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UWA Handbooks 2012 - Units

Unit details

ARCT4461 Architectural Practice [UG, PG]

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Credit 6 points
Availability Semester 1 (see Timetable)
Outcomes Students (1) develop familiarity with the process of architectural practice as exemplified in both large and small practices in Perth handling local, national and international projects from the public and private sectors; (2) gain a basic understanding of contracts and the legal responsibilities and obligations of the architect in practice; (3) obtain an overview of planning processes and statutes applicable to Western Australia; and (4) gain experience in the formulation and management of project design teams, project research and professional oral presentation.
Content This unit focuses on the overall practice of architecture in the workplace. It enables students to develop some familiarity with the day-to-day procedures of professional practice, and to gain a basic understanding of the operational context of practice. To this end the unit spends some time establishing a fundamental understanding of the basis of contracts and examines in detail a standard form of contract for architectural services and for building works. The unit examines the context of the practice of architecture in law, from an examination of the nature and content of various Australian state architects acts and those of nearby Asian countries to planning processes and statutes. The roles and responsibilities of the various professional boards and professional bodies responsible for and affiliated with the practice of architecture are examined from the point of view of the architect in practice.

The weekly structure of the unit is based around the ALVA Mentor Scheme. In this scheme, in which a wide range of practices in Perth participate, small student groups are assigned to a 'mentor' practice, and usually to an individual in that practice. Students meet with their mentors regularly throughout the semester for investigations and discussion centred around structured topics in practice. Lectures and in-class workshops are programmed to coordinate with the schedule of topics covered in the mentor program and are detailed in the unit guide published each year. Assignments are designed to develop teamwork and awareness of team management issues both within an office context and across the disciplines that make up typical project teams. Particular examples are worked through involving the interface between the architect and the landscape architect, and the architect and the engineering team.
Assessment This unit is assessed by two major assignments undertaken throughout the course of the semester both inside and outside formal class meeting times. Typically, assignments involve a high degree of teamwork and are problem-based requiring both investigatory and propositional responses. Assignments are set to permit an evaluation of topics covered in the unit and are designed to extend and develop the formal instructional program.

Each project requires a demonstration of the abilities to locate, select and organise relevant project information and to communicate that information clearly, unambiguously and in a professional manner. Particular emphasis is placed on the oral presentation of some elements of the group projects.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree or Master of Architecture (coursework) student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.
Unit Coordinator(s) Assistant Professor Patrick Beale
Location UWA (Crawley)
Mode on-campus
Unit rules
Contact hours—lectures and tutorials/workshops: 48 hrs
Unit Outlinehttp://www.unitoutlines.alva.uwa.edu.au/Units/ARCT4461/SEM-1/2012
Note Enrolled students can access unit material via WebCT (Moodle from 2012)
Texts

Topic outlines and case studies are made available.

Statutes

Refer to the unit guide and lecture/seminar handouts.

Recommended
reading

Practice Services Advisory Notes: Australian Institute of Architects. [This is available from Practice Services, Melbourne, telephone (03) 9650 2477. A copy is held in the School Resource Room.]



  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.
  • Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/learning). Student Services location: First Floor, Social Sciences South Building; telephone: 6488 2423.
  • Books and other materials wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. See the Bookshop Text List Search page at http://www.coop-bookshop.com.au/bookshop/action/DataSubjSelect. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.
 

UWA Handbooks 2012 - Units

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Thursday, 6 October, 2011 at 10:02 AM
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