Griffith University - establishing benchmarks in architecture and urban design
Starting in 2010 on their Gold Coast campus, Griffith University will enter the architectural education and research field with a three-year program, the Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architectural Studies). In 2013, a professional Masters in Architecture of two-years is planned to build on the undergraduate program.
I have returned from the position of Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Victoria University in New Zealand to head up Griffith’s venture into architectural education.
The undergraduate program in Architectural Studies will have a strong relationship with the Environmental Sustainability major, sharing a common first year.
Shared courses with the Queensland College of Art, as well as with programs in Urban and Environmental Planning and with Engineering will ensure that Architecture students are well versed in the essence of allied disciplines and they will graduate with a healthy culture of collaboration across disciplines.
The focus of the program will be on the sustainable design of buildings, urban places and recreation areas, with an emphasis on tropical and sub-tropical climates. Of particular note is that urban design will be taught from foundations in first year.
Programs in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design will be explored by Griffith in the future.
Also in this edition:
- Queensland urban design is jumping!
- Queensland’s Board for Urban Places
- UDAL landmarks
- Vibrant laneways and small spaces
- Towards integrated Main Street Centres – a perspective from South East Queensland
- Good urban design in remote and disinterested locations
- TOD and P&R
- Queensland Streets 2010
- Orientation vs Urbanism
- Cardinal rules for passive design
- Conferences, etc