Outline

Overview

This unit of study exposes students to fundamentals of building technologies with emphasis on performance evaluation and understanding of structural systems. A strong focus will be given to documenting a building’s structural system, and construction methods. This unit will also encourage students to develop an integrated understanding of technical design solutions have on the technological aspects of architecture. This unit of study will help students to understand and apply principles of building physics, structural solutions, performance indicators, 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 solutions, develop ideas and work constructively. Finally, students will also be exposed to relevant building code regulation and industry practice in Australia.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BDES1023 and BAEN1001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Paolo Stracchi, paolo.stracchi@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Toktam Bashirzadeh Tabrizi, toktam.tabrizi@sydney.edu.au
	Xinyi Wang, xinyi.wang1@sydney.edu.au
	Fabrizio Ceruti, fabrizio.ceruti@sydney.edu.au
	Brian Novanto, brian.novanto@sydney.edu.au
	Victor Olivar Alcami, victor.alcami@sydney.edu.au
	Lisa Loi, lisa.loi@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small continuous assessment	Task 1: Structural Studies Small continuous assessment + Submitted work for a total of 5 drawings	15%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Aug 2024 at 18:00 Closing date: 13 Aug 2024	5 A3 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Task 2: Technological Studies (Axonometric Drawings) Set of two hand-drawn axonometric drawings based on case-study analysis	35%	Week 07 Due date: 11 Sep 2024 at 23:59	4 Weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Task 3: Integrated Design Studies (3D Digital and Physical Modeling) Task 3 consists of 1 case-study analysis via modeling	50%	Week 12 Due date: 22 Oct 2024 at 23:00	2 A1 Panels
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Task 1: Structural Studies - Task 1 consists of 5 small exercises: 3 to be completed in class and 2 to be completed at home. These exercises test students' knowledge of basic structural principles and their ability to represent them through simple diagrams.
Task 2: Technological Studies (Axonometric Drawings) - Task 2 consists of 2 case-study analyses to be completed both in class and at home. Th task tests students' knowledge of architectural tectonic principles and their ability to illustrate the analysis through hand-drawn axonometric drawings, complete with a detailed textual and graphic legend
Task 3: Integrated Design Studies (3D Digital and Physical Modeling) - Task 3 consists of 1 case-study analysis to be completed both in class and at home. This task test students' knowledge of architectural tectonic principles and their ability to illustrate the analysis through digital and physical representations, complete with a textual and graphic legend.

Detailed information for each assessment and case-studies 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit introduction. Structures: Portal Frame 1/2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	In-class exercise: Portal Frame	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Structures: Portal Frame 2/2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	In-class exercise: Portal Frame	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Connections & Structural Fundamentals	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	In-class exercise: Connections & Structural Fundamentals	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Concrete in Architecture 1/2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	In-class analysis: Detailed Axonometric 1/2 A	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Concrete in Architecture 2/2 (Analysis & Demonstrations)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	In-class analysis: Detailed Axonometric 2/2 A	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Steel in Architecture 1/2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	In-class analysis: Detailed Axonometric 1/2 B	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Steel in Architecture 2/2 (Analysis & Demonstrations)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	In-class analysis: Detailed Axonometric 2/2 B	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Mass Timber in Architecture 1/3	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	In-class analysis: Three Dimensional Study (digital and physical model)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Mass Timber in Architecture 2/3 (Analysis & Demonstrations)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	In-class analysis: Three Dimensional Study (digital and physical model)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Mass Timber in Architecture 3/3 (Analysis & Demonstrations)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	In-class analysis: Three Dimensional Study (digital and physical model)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Integrated Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	In-class analysis: Three Dimensional Study (digital and physical model)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Integrated Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Pin-Up Presentation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	What We've Learned	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Feedback	Tutorial (3 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.

Required readings

It is expected that you conduct your own research, including sourcing appropriate materials and undertaking library visits to gather data to substantiate your knowledge.

Reading suggestions are listed below:

Modern Construction Handbook by Andrew Watts, 2016.
Construction Materials Manual by Hegger Manfred, 2006.
Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures by Edward Allen, 2009.
The Structural Basis of Architecture by Bjorn Sandaker, 2011.
Why Buildings Stand Up by Mario Salvadori, 1981.

Magazines:

The Plan
Detail

Website:

Divisare.com

Canvas

The Canvas e-learning site will be used in this Unit of Study to distribute course material— including written notes from the weekly lecturers and pdf of reading material; to update you on developments via the email function; and for all your submissions, including text and design-based submissions as well as Turnitin submissions.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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 source correctly the additional consultation needed to resolve the design
LO4. detail a building envelope correctly
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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is a new Unit of Study, which is being offered for the first time.

Additional information

Additional costs

Please note that this unit of study involves additional costs for model-making and printing. 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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BADP2004: Design and Structure

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links