AR5807 Architectural Design Thesis

The Master of Architecture design thesis will span two semesters and three modules (AR5805, AR5806 and AR5807), establishing the final design criteria for achieving the degree of Master of Architecture. Students will be able to select from a variety of thesis advisors, and either align their theses with their advisors’ research interests and expertise, or pursue their own self-directed thesis themes.

The three modules dealing with the design research thesis have been put together to allow students to develop a high level of competence in creative practice design research; this competence would then lead to architectural outcomes in a wide range of topics. The first two modules, AR5805 and AR5807, will involve creative practice research with direct design outcomes. AR5806 will then synthesise these design research efforts into a full-length design research compendium that complements evidence with textural descriptions, theoretical writing and other written strategies, alongside graphic, photographic and visual material.

Its fundamental purpose will be to enable students to develop a rigorous method and deep-dive focus in a specific area of design research. Students will be
required to mount a body of evidence to demonstrate that their research has translational potential in the field of architecture through creative practice. Students will also be expected to exercise high-level competence in creative practice research, design thinking, representation and communication.

Learning Objectives:
1. To understand and critically manifest creative practice research methods in an individually directed thesis milieu
2. To understand and take a critical position on creative practice research methods, outcomes, and evidence; and to illustrate the impacts of the modes of research on the formation of an architectural proposition
3. To identify, position and relate individual creative practice research to a community of practice
4. To position individual research in the larger domain of architecture and to communicate how creative practice research advances the discipline
5. To understand and take a critical position on translation of creative practice research outcomes into architectural approaches, techniques, and strategies or tactics
6. To design with creative practice research and conceptual tools, and to be able to make informed ethical judgments in architecture
7. To utilise advanced representational techniques (i.e. digital and analogue media) to communicate research, design iterations, and design techniques in
architecture
8. To utilise advanced digital data, visualisations, contemporary simulations in 2D, 3D, and 4D mediums to research architectural approaches to design.
9. To utilise advanced analogue and digital tools in making
10. To communicate creative practice ideas in concise and considered verbal, written, and performative presentations, utilising a wide range of mediums.