Digital Excellence Strategic Framework

School of Architecture & Built Environment · 2025–2030

SABE Values Digital Competency Domains Strategic Pillars

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The Framework
Three concentric layers, one unified vision

DEF2030 is organised as three interdependent rings — from the school's core values outward through digital competencies to the five strategic pillars that drive action.

Inner Ring

SABE Values

Five cross-cutting values that are woven through every competency domain and strategic action — not add-ons, but embedded criteria.

Middle Ring

Digital Competency Framework

Ten domains across two tiers (Foundational & Applied) that define measurable digital skills for Architecture and Construction Management graduates.

Outer Ring

Strategic Pillars

Five action pillars that operationalise the competency framework through curriculum, research, sustainability, culture, and infrastructure.

Inner Ring
SABE Core Values

The School's five values (SABE Roadmap 2020) operate as cross-cutting keys — woven through every competency domain, assessment, and strategic initiative.

🌏

Care for Earth

Environmental sustainability woven into every digital design and fabrication practice

🏠

Care for Country & First Peoples

Indigenous data sovereignty and respectful place-based digital practice

🫂

Care for Others

Social justice and inclusive access to digital tools and education

💐

Care for Gender Equity

Challenging bias in AI and data, ensuring equitable digital participation

Care for Individual Agency

Empowering students to critically choose, interrogate, and shape their own digital practice

Middle Ring
10 Digital Competency Domains

Adopted from the CLC Digital Skills Framework (2025), DigComp 3.0, and UK ARB Competency Outcomes (2023) — adapted for the built environment. Use the filters below to compare emphasis weightings by program.

Outer Ring
Five Strategic Pillars

The five pillars operationalise the competency framework, with each initiative mapped to specific domains and discipline-specific actions.

1

Curriculum Innovation & Digital Pedagogy

10-domain audit and redesign, AI literacy module, progressive digital assessment rubrics, and new micro-credentials via PixelSpace Lab.

2

Research & Industry Engagement

Digital Design Research Cluster, Industry Advisory Board, Autodesk/Graphisoft partnerships, annual innovation showcase, and targeted research grants.

3

Sustainable Practices & Digital Fabrication

Sustainable model-making guidelines, BIM sustainability analysis, PixelSpace Lab digital twin pilot, and 50% waste reduction target by 2030.

4

School Development & Digital Culture

Mapped staff upskilling, Digital Technologist leadership, Community of Practice, domain-informed hiring, and recognition incentives.

5

Technology Infrastructure & Resources

Software licensing (Revit, Rhino, Power BI, Procore), computing upgrades for VR/BIM, annual tech review, and PixelSpace Lab as the central hub.

Implementation
Three-Phase Roadmap
Phase 1

Foundation · 2025–2027

  • Issue sustainable model-making guidelines
  • Establish Digital Design Research Cluster
  • Conduct full competency curriculum audit
  • Launch AI literacy module (D3, D4)
  • Embed D3, D4, D5 in Year 1 of both programs
  • Convene Industry Advisory Board (Q3 2026)
  • Staff BIM, computational design & AI workshops
  • Upgrade computing for VR/BIM
  • Pilot PixelSpace Lab digital twin (D8)
Phase 2

Expansion · 2028–2029

  • Launch Built Environment Data Analytics elective
  • Deploy BIM, Reality Capture & AI micro-credentials
  • First annual Digital Innovation Showcase
  • Establish Digital Pedagogy Community of Practice
  • Achieve 2–3 Tier 2 research grants
  • Expand industry partnerships and MOUs
  • Integrate D6–D10 advanced mapping across programs
  • Track waste reduction metrics via digital twin
Phase 3

Maturity · 2030+

  • 100% of graduates proficient in ≥7 domains
  • All 10 domains addressed across both programs
  • 50% reduction in physical model waste
  • 100% staff completed core digital training
  • 25% staff hold advanced digital certifications
  • Recognised as regional leader in digital education
  • Active industry partnership portfolio
  • Annual IAB competency review embedded
By 2030
Key Outcomes
10

Digital competency domains addressed across both programs

100%

Of graduates proficient in at least 7 relevant domains

50%

Reduction in studio physical model material waste

25%

Of academic staff holding advanced digital certifications