Bachelor of Architectural Design

Design goes far beyond the visual.

It responds to possibilities and limits, to hopes and needs.

It’s equal parts creative and calculated.Architectural design is about understanding landscapes and the way humans create places within them.

Architecture, landscape architecture and urban design share the purpose of aiding society while creating structural works of art.

The multi-disciplinary core courses in the Bachelor of Architectural Design foster intellectual development, critical thinking and creative action. The program is intended as a framework within which to develop these skills for those individuals who have an interest in the environment and design and who wish to enhance buildings and human modified places with creative environmental design solutions. The majority of the teaching activities are based around the design studios, where topics are developed and discussed with studio leaders. These studio sessions are supplemented by courses in various other topics such as representation, construction, environment and history and theory. Representation introduces students to the latest computer and hand based drawing techniques. Construction uses specialist equipment for modelling and experimentation and the Environment course includes issues of ecology. History and theory engages with the traditions of the discipline to consider frameworks for contemporary design. Students can also apply for entry to an additional Honours year.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Study plans are available on the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences website

Example Study Plan

Indicative Study Plan Year level 1 Core courses DESST 1503: Design Studio IDESST 1505: History Theory IDESST 1504: Representation IDESST 1506: Design Studio IIDESST 1507: Construction IDESST 1508: Environment I Year level 2 Core courses DESST 2516: Design Studio IIIDESST 2517: Environment IIDESST 2518: Construction IIDESST 2519: Design Studio IVDESST 2520: Representation IIDESST 2521: History Theory II Year level 3 Core courses DESST 3513: Design Studio VDESST 3514: Construction IIIDESST 3515: Representation IIIDESST 3516: Design Studio VIDESST 3517: Environment IIIDESST 3518: History Theory III Credit Transfer and Portfolio RequirementsA submission of a portfolio, academic transcript and list of course syllabus are required for applicants who wish to seek credit transfer for studies completed at a tertiary institution (ie TAFE SA, other universities) to count towards the Bachelor of Architectural Design. The portfolio must be printed on A3 in hardcopy or submitted in electronic form. All CAD drawing files must be supplied as PDFs in a single document not exceeding 100MB. Applicants should consider the legibility and hierarchy of their images and text. The portfolio is used to assess design skills and knowledge and should demonstrate familiarity with a range of design processes and media. Representation media should ideally include, but are not limited to: Adobe Photoshop, In-Design, Illustrator, AutoCAD, Revit and other 3D packages, as well as hand drawing, sketching, painting, collage, model-making and photography of models.In addition to final rendered images, applicants should include information on the process of design development and construction documentation (if any). The folio may include material developed with others in an office/practice situation where this is clearly referenced and the applicant’s contribution explained.

For those who are based in Adelaide, we will be offering a blended delivery mode that combines face-to-face with remote learning in as many courses as possible, taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene. All lectures will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions.

For our students who are studying offshore for the remainder of the 2020 Academic Year, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses.

Career Readiness

What is the pathway to becoming an architect or landscape architect?

The career paths of architects and landscape architects are many and varied. High levels of skill and flexibility are needed in professions that are responding to global and local needs. To prepare for these exciting possibilities, the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Adelaide delivers one undergraduate Bachelor of Architectural Design program that leads to two professional graduate degrees – Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Architectural Design program provides a study pathway for students who wish to undertake the School’s graduate Master of Planning (Urban Design) program or the Master of Property.

The Bachelor of Architectural Design followed by the Master of Architecture is recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects and accredited by the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia. These two programs can be completed in five years of study. A total of two years practical experience, at least one of which must be taken after graduation, and an examination by the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia are prerequisites to registration as an architect.   

A similar pathway applies for aspiring landscape architects, with the Master of Landscape Architecture being recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and examined by the Registered Landscape Architects Board for registration.

The Master of Planning (Urban Design) is available to graduates of the Bachelor of Architectural Design program and are accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). This degree has significant input from the School of Social Sciences and content bridges both the natural and built environment. Also covered are issues of urban development and design and public interaction with the planning process and human concerns with the design and development of urban spaces. The Master of Property is available to graduates of the Bachelor of Architectural Design with a credit average or above and is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This degree is located in the School of Architecture and Built Environment but draws extensively on expertise from across the Faculty of The Professions with input from economics, law, finance and project management.It is important to note that while many Bachelor of Architectural Design graduates continue in either architecture and/or landscape architecture others follow a variety of career directions. The Bachelor of Architectural Design leads to careers which require skills in analysing and interpreting situations, the use of creative decision making approaches, and the formulation of proposals for change or conservation.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Architectural Design are well equipped to continue on to a broad spectrum of future studies in other fields because of the program's emphasis on critical thinking, creative action, communication skills and digital technologies. These pathways could include teaching, health sciences, environmental law, international development, urban and regional planning, marketing and business.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

Adelaide Graduate Attributes

1. Deep discipline knowledge
2. Critical thinking and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Career and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Professional Accreditation

Please note that to practise as an architect or landscape architect, you must complete a professionally accredited combination of degrees in your chosen discipline.We offer the following choices:

• Bachelor of Architectural Design followed by Master of Architecture recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects and accredited by the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia.
• Bachelor of Architectural Design followed by Master of Landscape Architecture recognised and accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
• Bachelor of Architectural Design followed by Master of Planning (Urban Design) recognised and accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
• Bachelor of Architectural Design followed by Master of Property recognised and accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
• Bachelor of Architectural Design followed by Master of Construction Management recognised and accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Potential careers

Asset Manager, Construction Manager, Draftsperson, Environmental Designer, Project Manager, Project Officer, Environmental Project Officer, Planning Officer / Urban Planner, Town Planning Engineer, Landscape Architect, Architect