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Unit of study_

BADP2004: Building Technologies

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study exposes students to fundamentals of building technologies with emphasis on performance evaluation and materials. A strong focus will be given to the principles of designing and evaluating high-performance envelopes. This unit will also encourage students to develop an integrated understanding of the implications that materials and design solutions have on the technological aspects of architecture. Based on lectures and studio, this unit is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge needed to design and evaluate a building envelope performance. In particular, this unit of study will help students to understand and apply principles of building physics, envelope performance indicators, visualisation and effective communication of the project, building systems and technological detailing of building components. This unit will focus on teaching students how to design, specify and evaluate different building materials, including, but not limited to brick, concrete, steel and glass. Finally, students will also be exposed to relevant building code regulation and industry practice in Australia.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BADP2004
Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BDES1023
Corequisites
? 
BAEN2002
Assumed knowledge
? 

AWSS1002

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eugenia Gasparri, eugenia.gasparri@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment 1_Building design: structure and envelope technology
1_Building design - report
60% Week 09 To be specified by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO3 LO6
Assignment 2_Envelope design: optimisation and detailing
2_Envelope design - report
40% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2022 at 23:59
To be specified by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • 1_Building design: structure and envelope technology - design of a standalone residential building, including site analysis, architectural and structural layout, construction type and technologies, building envelope system and performance. Produce annotated technical drawings at the appropriate scales and 3D model.
  • 2_Envelope design: optimisation and detailing - propose a design optimisation of the envelope assemblies, by looking at improved performance and material sustainability. Produce annotated 1:5 construction drawings and 3D model.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Yes

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Unit introduction Lecture (1 hr)  
Assessment Tasks - overview, group formation Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 02 Design basics Site analysis and Passive strategies Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 – confirm site selection, review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 03 Building technology_1 Structural basics Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 04 Building technology_2 Heavyweight construction Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 05 Building technology_3 Lightweight construction Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 06 Envelope design_1 Performance basics Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 07 Envelope design_2 Opaque envelope Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 08 Envelope design_3 Transparent envelope Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 09 Envelope design_4 Ubakus (workshop) Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 1 – final presentation Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 10 Advanced tech series_1 Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 2 – confirm detail selection, review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 11 Advanced tech series_2 Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 2 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 12 Advanced tech series_3 Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 2 - review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 13 Feedback session. Close the loop! Lecture (1 hr)  
Task 2 – review and discuss Tutorial (2 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the principles of building technology (nomenclature and requirements)
  • LO2. understand the functional requirements and basic performance of the building envelope
  • LO3. understand the complexity of building technological design and be able to correctly source the additional consultation needed to resolve the design
  • LO4. detail a building envelope correclty
  • LO5. know the functional composition of the building envelope
  • LO6. understand the functional requirements of the main building material

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes are based on students' feedback from last year. Two main changes have been actioned: - Participation mark (Assessment 3 - 10%) was eliminated. Students participation and engagement will be accounted for in the overall final grade. - More lectures are now dedicated to envelope design and detailing.

Additional costs

Please note that this unit of study involves additional costs for students for the model and printed drawing. The extent of this additional cost depends on the project.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.