Urban Futures Studio unit (KDA714)

Introduction

Studios in the Master of Architecture emphasise professionalism, critical and rigorous design thinking, knowledge of contemporary and emergent theories, technologies and practices, and the development of skills for a diversity of future careers in architecture. The Urban Futures Studio positions architecture as a catalyst for urban regeneration and transformation, responding to key global imperatives of environmental and human health, social equity and sustainable economic growth. You will work on design studio projects aligned with emerging research and established community partnerships to speculate on alterative urban futures within real-world contexts. Through collaborative inquiry, you will develop a critical conceptual framework informed by detailed understanding of social, political and ecological conditions and contemporary urban design theories. You will apply this framework in the development of architectural propositions in response to a brief for an urban transformation project. You will develop refined design outcomes synthesising spatial, material and technical dimensions of the project across macro and micro scales. A key focus is processes of design inquiry through material experimentation and making. At the culmination of the unit, you will present your project to experts and peers, employing a targeted communication approach, encompassing choices of visual format, content, media and techniques, that clearly communicates your conceptual approach and design outcomes.

Summary

Unit name	Urban Futures Studio
Unit code	KDA714
Credit points	25
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Architecture and Design
Discipline	Architecture & Design
Coordinator	Professor Julian Worrall
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Propose design visions for sustainable urban futures informed by contemporary theory and critical interrogation of social, political and ecological conditions.
• Develop design propositions for urban transformation projects that extend from design vision.
• Use iterative design thinking to develop and refine design detail across macro and micro scales.
• Present conceptual and pragmatic dimensions of a project to professional audiences through strategic selection of visual format, content, media and techniques.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Weekly workshop - 6-hours
Assessment	AT1 Futures: Visual seminar (25%)|Speculations: Schematic propositions & material experimentations (35%)|AT3 Propositions: Detailed design (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.