ARCH 7020 - Professional Practice (M)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

This course examines practice management and project management in the built environment professions, particularly architecture and landscape architecture. Topics in practice management include: ethical practice; the character and operation of practices; legal requirements; cash flow and profitability; running a business; professional memberships and registration; risk and professional liability; and personal career planning. Topics in project management include: project stages; procurement and feasibility; statutory requirements; management of time, cost and quality; and contracts and contract administration in private and public realms. Alternative and innovative pathways through the profession are also considered.

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Course Details

Course Code	ARCH 7020
Course	Professional Practice (M)
Coordinating Unit	Architecture and Landscape Architecture
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Corequisites	ARCH 7019 or LARCH 7019
Incompatible	ARCH 7014 or LARCH 7014
Restrictions	Available to M Arch (Cswk) and M L Arch students only
Assessment	Seminar papers, reports, quizzes

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Katharine Bartsch

Professional Practice is designed and delivered by Industry Professor Tony Giannone (Tectvs) and Industry Professor James Hayter (Oxigen) supported by Associate Professor Katharine Bartsch.

Delivery of Professional Practice is supported by staff from Tectvs and Oxigen.

Industry Professor Tony Giannone https://www.tectvs.com/

Please direct content related queries to Tony during scheduled class time.

Industry Professor James Hayter http://www.oxigen.net.au/

Please direct content related queries to James during scheduled class time.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Please respect the facilities throughout the University.

In the School of Architecture and Built Environment students are required to fabricate models, projects and other hands-on creative activities. Of course, you will make a mess in the process! No problem! Please clean up after yourself. If the materials are recyclable and you don't want to reuse them yourself, put them in the recycling bins. Don't leave paper/cardboard/offcuts on the floor or table, put them in the bin. Don't leave broken blades etc. on tables, put them in a sharps bin. Don't leave work (models, drawings etc) in a space (tutorial room, computer lab, studio) and expect to find it when you come back. The facilities are shared. The School recommends that you store your work in a locker available from ASA or in Hub Central.

The tables in the learning and teaching spaces (tutorial rooms, computer labs, studios) are NOT cutting mats. Would you use an exacto knife or a scalpel to cut model making materials directly on your dining table at home? No? Don't do it at the University. Use a cutting mat. If you don't have one, buy one. All students should have a cutting mat in their Equipment Kit. You are expected to bring this with you if you are model-making, using glue etc.

Students are permitted to bring food and drink into the learning and teaching spaces. Please respect your peers. When you have finished your bottle of water, coffee cup, bubble tea, Coke, juice, Boost, Red Bull etc. etc. put it in the bin. Don't leave your takeaway meal festering on a table cultivating mould. Put it in the bin.

The importance of hygiene and cleanliness is amplified during COVID 19. Respect your peers. Respect your facilities. Please clean up after yourself at all times. This is your responsibility.

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Please refer to Course Planner for the Timetable.

Course Learning Outcomes

Professional Practice is designed to provide an insight into a number of topics relevant to graduate employment, professional conduct and the practice of architecture and landscape architecture. Lectures, tutorials and assignments are designed to encourage an awareness and basic knowledge of the nature of design practice, business and professional roles, organisational frameworks, management and legal procedures, business and project-based activities, in order to further develop and apply this knowledge in graduates early working lives.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Demonstrate knowledge of the scope of professional practice
2	Demonstrate knowledge of the staging of a project from client engagement, design and documentation, tendering work, superintendence and construction administration through to post-construction
3	Demonstrate knowledge of project programming and time management
4	Identify available procurement methods and demonstrate knowledge of the selection process for appropriately qualified contractors in accordance with the procurement method and project contract
5	Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical obligations in regard to practice management, IP, and provision of professional services
6	Demonstrate knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements and obligations in regard to architectural practice, practice management and registration as an architect/landscape architect
7	Demonstrate knowledge of professional communication with client and relevant stakeholders throughout the project
8	Prepare a professional portfolio

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-8
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-8
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1-8
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-8
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	5
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	7, 8

Learning Resources

Required Resources

The resources for this course are identified in MyUni.

Recommended Resources

Rory Hyde, 2012, ‘FUTURE PRACTICE Conversations from the Edge of Architecture’, Routledge.

Australian Institute of Architects www.architecture.com.au
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects www.aila.org.au

The Writing Centre:
The Writing Centre offers practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, and referencing techniques for success at university. Please note, the drop-in service is not an editing or grammar checking service but the Centre can help you develop your written English. Consult “The Writing Centre” for on-line resources re: essay writing guides, study guides, referencing.

You can book a virtual meeting with writing mentors. Details are available at the website. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/

Online Learning

MyUni / Canvas
MyUni / Canvas is an essential online tool which will be used to communicate information regarding the course including details of assignments and interim grades. There are many other learning resources provided on MyUni. Therefore it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the various functions of MyUni and employ it to its fullest extent. https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au

All Course communication is via MyUni. Please check your course MyUni account regularly as all important Course-related announcements will be communicated via this means. Based on this communication, it will be assumed you are aware and prepared before each studio, lecture or scheduled meeting time. Tutors will NOT respond to individual email correspondence. Be prepared to ask your questions in class, preparation before class is therefore essential so you can make full use of this time to communicate and seek advice from tutors.

Given the many professional commitments of the course coordinators, consultation will only be available during the scheduled tutorials.

University Email
The School of Architecture and Built Environment uses the University email system to get in touch with the students. So it is imperative that you check your email regularly and keep up to date with any new announcements.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures and Tutorials

All Lectures and Tutorials are delivered on Tuesday morning. The tutorials are Face-to-Face and the time and dates and venues can be viewed on Course Planner.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The University expects full-time students (ie. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote at least 48 hours per week to their studies. Accordingly, students undertaking this 3 unit course are expected to devote 12 hours per week to contact activities and self-guided studying.

The 120 hours for Professional Practice should be used towards preparation of weekly tasks and for completion of the various assignments associated with the course, including development of various skills required
to complete the same. Please organise your time wisely.

Assignment 1
VALUE SYSTEMS
Assessment: 25%

AIM. Prepare a simple house extension or garden concept design that articulates your current personal Ethics and Social and Environmental value system.

Assignment 2
PROJECT CONTROL AND PROGRAM
Assessment: 25%

AIM. Prepare a pro-forma for a package of documents that are required to be tendered with a contract and complete contract schedules and annexures. Use the material/information provided in the lectures to develop these documents as a set to be delivered to the client.

Assignment 3
PRACTICAL APPLICATION 35%

AIM. Prepare a package of documents that are required for a job application that will be provided to a potential employer. Incorporate what has been learnt over the course to develop these documents.

Quizzes
15% of overall mark.

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1. Overview. Professional Practice
From Graduation to Registration to Practice
Careers and how practice is changing
Ethics + Codes of Practice
Social responsibility + Sustainability
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Continuing Professional Development
Associations: AIA, AILA: IFLA, UIA
Mentors
Skills required for practice

Week 2. Setting up a Practice
Legislation + Registration
Studio setup
Insurances PI + Public Liability
OHS
Business management
Resources
Mentors
CPD
Employing staff

Week 3. Project Control
Client - Practitioner Agreement
Services provided
Responsibilities + Obligations of Practitioner + Client
Cost of the Works
Programme
Fees
Authority
Specialist Consultants required + engagement
Intellectual property
Insurances + Liability
Disputes
Special Conditions

Week 4. Staging a Project: Tendering Work
Client Brief
Preparing a proposal
Marketing/website/social media/wards/industry reputation
Methods of determining fees

Week 5: Staging a Project: Engaging with a Client
Obligations of all parties to a contract
Australian Standards and forms of engagement

Week 6. Staging a Project: Schematics and Documentation
Concept design + Approvals (Development Plan)
Design Development
Construction Documentation – not necessarily drawings
Drawings, specification, schedules, contract
NCC and BCA
Approvals – DA and BRC

Week 7. Staging a Project: Superintendence and Construction Administration
Roles of Superintendent, Contractor and Principal
Contractor tender + evaluation
Australian Standards
Standard forms + management of construction
Administering the contract

Week 8. Staging a Project: Post Construction
Practical Completion
Defects Period

Week 9. Programming and Management
Importance of time management
Techniques
Keeping timesheets and equating these to fees

Week 10. Staff Obligations and Employment
OHS+W
Legal obligations
Salary awards

Week 11. Industry Participation and Community Obligation
Industry networks
Professional Associations
Pro bono work
Specialisation and planning your career

Week 12. Personal Portfolio
Your Portfolio

Specific Course Requirements

All specific course requirements are communicated on MyUni.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assignment 1
VALUE SYSTEMS
Assessment: 25%

AIM. Prepare a simple house extension or garden concept design that articulates your current personal Ethics and Social and Environmental value system.

Assignment 2
PROJECT CONTROL AND PROGRAM 25%

AIM. Prepare a pro-forma for a package of documents that are required to be tendered with a contract and complete contract schedules and annexures. Use the material/information provided in the lectures to develop these documents as a set to be delivered to the client.

Assignment 3
PRACTICAL APPLICATION 35%

AIM. Prepare a package of documents that are required for a job application that will be provided to a potential employer. Incorporate what has been learnt over the course to develop these documents.

Quizzes
15% Overall

Assessment Related Requirements

Available on MyUni.

Assessment Detail

Available on MyUni.

Submission

All assignments must be submitted via MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator