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Unit of study_
ARCH9082: Building Conservation
2027 unit information
Building Conservation is a practically focused introduction to the techniques and bodies of knowledge essential to extending the life of existing buildings and their materials. Expert practitioners, including architects, material specialists, and skilled tradespeople, will introduce contemporary approaches to building restoration, repair, and maintenance, alongside demonstrations of techniques that support longevity, and reduced environmental impact. Students will document and investigate an existing building through recording and condition assessment, with attention to performance, durability, and opportunities for sustainable intervention. Throughout the unit, we will examine the causes and processes of material deterioration in relation to environmental conditions, use patterns, and ageing, and evaluate appropriate strategies for repair, upgrading, and adaptation. By the end of the unit, you will be familiar with: the fundamentals of building maintenance and conservation; and practical techniques that support sustainable care and long-term resilience of the built environment.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Urban and Regional Planning and Policy |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand the behaviour of a range of traditional building materials
- LO2. recognise threats to building materials from moisture, wind, biological and chemical attack and other forces that lead to deterioration;
- LO3. record a simple building in drawings and photographs
- LO4. document and assess the condition of the fabric of a building
- LO5. develop an approach to conserving the fabric of a building.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intensive October - November 2026
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intensive October - November 2027
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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Important enrolment information
Additional advice
Students only need to complete either ARCH9082 or ARCH9083 to complete the core of the Master of Heritage Conservation degree. If students choose to attempt both units the second unit will be treated as an elective for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the degree.
Disclaimer
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