Design Construction (Principles)

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
ARCH 1003
Course ID icon
Course ID
200798
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Arch and Built Env
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Damian Madigan
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course introduces building construction principles and materials and aims to equip learners with an exploratory understanding of the inter-relationship between design intent and constructed outcome. The course will cover the relationship between design and construction, the principles of engineering, building skins, the role and conventions of architectural drawings and documentation, and an introduction to architectural detailing. Through a combination of making and drawing, learners will develop critical design development skills that enable a small-scale concept design that demonstrates an understanding of construction principles. This course assumes no prior architectural or construction experience and forms part of the fundamental design, construction, and material studies within the architecture program. The course is aligned with the program goal to enable learners to apply appropriate materials and construction systems to propose and communicate solutions for fabrication.

  • Construction Principles
  • Framing
  • Building Skin

Course learning outcomes

  • Analyse construction problems and employ research and critical thinking skills to determine solutions.
  • Integrate fundamental structural principles and knowledge of building materials to resolve speculative design ambitions.
  • Apply analogue architectural techniques and conventions to communicate construction principles and solutions.
  • Identify structural, material, and other contextual considerations in the development of architectural solutions.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 21201
Section
Section FR01
Size
Size 258
Available
Available 258
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 10am Adelaide City Campus West Hawke, H2-16
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 9:10am - 10am Adelaide City Campus West Hawke, H2-16
Class number
Class number 21200
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 28
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-09
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-10
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-09
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-10
Class number
Class number 21199
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 28
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-09
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-10
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-09
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH5-10

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course