Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit introduces students to the broad set of roles, activities, contexts and documents that are common to the everyday practice of architecture in Western Australia. Legal, technical, ethical and social issues are addressed alongside the creative and professional enterprise of architects. The stages through which a project progresses are presented in relation to important contractual mechanisms and key concepts of procurement, as well as the participants and stakeholders involved in projects besides the architect: client, consultants, contractors, authorities, building users and the general public. As a way of tangibly illustrating the fundamentals of practice, weekly sessions are framed around a key document that plays an essential role in influencing, regulating and shaping the practice of architecture, its built outcomes, and the communication between participants. The documents include the Project Brief, Client-Architect agreement, Metropolitan Region Scheme, Town Planning Scheme Text and Map, Development Applications and Building Contracts. As well, the National Standard of Competency for Architects is discussed as the core mechanism underpinning the assessment of architectural competence in Australia.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) develop familiarity with the process of architectural practice (as exemplified in various modes and scales of practice and in regard to local, national and international projects); (2) demonstrate understanding of the types and key mechanisms of contracts in relation to project design and delivery; (3) identify the major documents that shape and influence architectural practice in Australia; (4) gain experience in the formulation and management of project design teams, project research and professional oral presentation; and (5) articulate the important roles, responsibilities, ethical and legal obligations of the architect in practice.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) brief; (2) quiz; and (3) mini-podcast. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Kate Hislop and Emily van Eyk
- Contact hours
- face-to-face tutorials: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks (in preparation for these seminars students are required each week to do 1-2 hours prior study of resources which is available on the Learning Management System). Plus face to face lectures for 6 weeks.
- Note
- Enrolled students can access unit material via the LMS (Learning Management System).
- Recommended
Reading -
'Acumen', a comprehensive set of advisory notes published by the Australian Institute of Architects, will form the primary text for the unit. This is available through the EDFAA library online.
A list of recommended texts and other resources will be available on LMS.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.