Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Architecture, Design and Planning School
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and techniques of architectural representation including architectural drawing conventions, two-dimensional drawing, digital image capture and manipulation, and three-dimensional modelling. Students examine the interface between thinking, drawing (sketching) and drafting (technical documentation), and the exchange between working by hand and digital representation.
ARCH1160 is the foundational communications course offered in the Bachelor of Architectural Design. ARCH1160 develops knowledge and skills in architectural communication ranging from freehand, measured, presentation and technical drawing, expressive drawing, photographic techniques, digital manipulation and the use of colour.ﾠARCH1160 also introduces students to digital communication technologies and architectural drafting conventions. ARCH1160 delivers theoretical knowledge in lectures. Theory is then applied in workshops supported by self-directed online video modules that students can access via the Blackboard eLearning website.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are assumed to have Year 12 English. Visual communication skills gained from the study of art, graphics or other design-based subjects may be of benefit but are not assumed knowledge.
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
ARCH1100 and ARCH1140
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
DSGN1300
Restrictions
BArchDes and BDes (Buildings and Environments major) students only. Study abroad students must seek Head of School's permission to enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to the principles, conventions and technologies of architectural communications.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Record built environment information using a range of media and technologies.
LO2.
Create drawings and images using a range of media and complying with architectural conventions.
LO3.
Integrate and translate between drawings and images created in different mediums.
LO4.
Select appropriate architectural communication technologies, drawing modes, conventions and qualities.
LO5.
Prepare a set of drawings that convey context and design information.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Portfolio | Submission 1 | 40% |
24/03/2025 1:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Portfolio |
Submission 2
|
60% IVAH |
Portfolio 16/06/2025 1:00 pm Poster 16/06/2025 1:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Submission 1
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Portfolio
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
24/03/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
The submission will be a compilation of works developed throughout all architectural communication studios. It should present all works produced and developed within a specific format described below. The portfolio is intended to be a standalone document that will expose all the works developed in the ARCH1160 Communications course.
Complex / authentic assessment using AI and/or MT to support learning: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged. Uploaded files must contain readable text and not be rasterised. Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission. To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete, so that what has been done can be graded.
Late submission
The late penalty for this assessment item will be calculated as follows:
First 1-hour block - initial 1 hour grace period no penalty.
Second 1-hour block - An penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted
Third 1-hour block - An additional penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted. (adding up to a total penalty of 20% of the maximum possible mark)
Any submissions received after three hours will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each one-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Submission 2
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Portfolio
- Weight
- 60% IVAH
- Due date
Portfolio 16/06/2025 1:00 pm
Poster 16/06/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
The final submission for ARCH1160: Architectural Communication will be a compilation of all works (including submission 1) developed throughout architectural communication studios. It should present all works produced and developed within a specific format. There are two components to Submission 2, a portfolio and a poster. The portfolio is intended to be a standalone document that will expose the final work developed in the Architecture Communication 1 course.
Complex / authentic assessment using AI and/or MT to support learning: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied to receive a specific grade in the course. This assessment item is designated as a Hurdle in this course. This means a minimum achievement of 50% (a grade of 4) is required for this assessment item in order to pass the course. Meeting the hurdle requirement for a course does not guarantee a passing grade for the course and in order to pass this course, students also need to achieve a minimum grade of 4 overall.Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged. Uploaded files must contain readable text and not be rasterised. Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission. To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete, so that what has been done can be graded.
Late submission
The late penalty for this assessment item will be calculated as follows:
First 1-hour block - initial 1 hour grace period no penalty.
Second 1-hour block - An penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted
Third 1-hour block - An additional penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted. (adding up to a total penalty of 20% of the maximum possible mark)
Any submissions received after three hours will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each one-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
REQUIRED DRAWING EQUIPMENT
The basic drawing equipment kit required for the course. The order form will be uploaded onto the BLACKBOARD site under the OVERVIEWﾠsection.
Students are required to bring their own drawing equipment as follows:
- Adjustable set square
- Scale ruler
- A3 tracing padﾠ
- A3 cartridge pad
- A5 sketch book
- Set of Artline black felt tips 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8
- Mechanical pencil Hb leads & eraser.ﾠ
- Scalpel & blades with point end
- 300mm Steel ruler
- Set of Graphite pencils (8 minimum)
- Set of colouring pencils (12 minimum)
- Set of brush colouring markers (6 minimum
WORKING OUTDOORS
Students should be cognisant of predicted weather conditions on the scheduled days of field work. In most instances field work will proceed irrespective of weather conditions. If conditions are deemed unsuitable a group email will be sent to all students with details of alternative arrangements. Students will be expected to wear appropriate clothing and enclosed shoes for field work and workshop activities. For hot weather days this may include: hats, water bottles and sunscreen and for wet weather days adequate rain protection and warm clothing is necessary. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from workshop locations as required.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 12 |
Lecture |
Lecture Week 1 - Sketching Spaces Week 2 - Creative Understanding Week 3 - Technical Representation Week 4 - Technical Representation Week 5 - Spatial Composition Week 6 - Colours and Shadows Week 7 - Abstract Representation Week 8 - Computer Aided Design Mid Semester break Week 9 - Building Information Modelling Week 10 - Edit & Transform Week 11 - Rendering & Post-Production Week 12 - Representation & Presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Studio |
Studio Week 1 - Observe & Understand : Techniques: Photo & Site Drawings Week 2 - Observe & Represent : Techniques: Line Shadow Drawing Week 3 - Drafting & Communication I : Techniques: Plan, Section & Elevation Week 4 - Drafting & Communication II : Techniques: Axonometric Week 5 - Understand & Model a Place : Techniques: Freehand & Modelling Perspective Week 6 - Understand & Render Atmospheres : Techniques: Colour & Shadow Week 7 - Visual Communication I : Techniques: Maps & Diagrams Week 8 - Model & Represent : Techniques: Technical Drafting Mid Semester break Week 9 - Simulate Space I : Techniques: Informed Modelling Week 10 - Simulate Atmospheres : Techniques: Rendering Week 11 - Visualisation & Representation : Techniques: Rendering Week 12 - Representation & Presentation : Techniques: Visual Presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.