Outline

Overview

This studio expands the scope of architectural design to include the role of materials and structure as a proponent of built form. Through the design of a small-scale public building in a constrained urban site, students learn to synthesize conceptual, programmatic, and organisational strategies with the material and structural parameters of an architectural project. In-class lectures and assignments will introduce students to both digital and analogue modes for exploring fundamental material and structural logics of architectural design. This unit will also introduce students to regional and international precedents to demonstrate the application of innovative practices using materials and structure in the built environment. The objective of this unit is to equip students with an ability to think critically about the transformation, evaluation, and creative synthesis of different materials and structure into an imaginative and plausible architectural response to a project brief.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	BDES1023 and BAEN1001
Corequisites ?	BADP2004
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Simon Weir, simon.weir@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Design Proposal Portfolio of Proposed Design	45%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2025 at 09:00	Multi-page PDF
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance	Attendance Students are required to meet the minimum 90% attendance to pass this unit.	0%	Ongoing	Duration of class
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Early Feedback Task In-class test of basic technical knowledge in written and representational #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 02 Due date: 07 Feb 2025 at 16:00	3 hrs
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Preliminary Exercises Presentation of Preliminary Exercises	20%	Week 06 Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 11:00	Multi-page PDF, printed sheets, models
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Design Proposal draft Presentation of Design Proposal Draf	30%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 13:00	Multi-page PDF, printed sheets, models
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ? = restricted AI ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 : Week 2.
Early Feedback Task. 5%.
In-class test of life drawing and technical drawing skills.

Assessment 2 : Week 6.
Presentation of Preliminary Exercises. 20%.
In-class presentation of exercises conducted in Weeks 2-5.

Assessment 3: Week 13.
Design Proposal draft. 25%.
In-class presentation of Design Proposal.

Assessment 4. Exam Period.
Design Proposal. 45%.
Portfolio of Proposed Design.

Attendance: Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have approved special consideration may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

Result Name

Mark Range

Description

High Distinction

100-85

Outstanding design, fabrication and communication

Distinction

84-75

Excellent design, fabrication and communication

Credit

65-75

Good design, fabrication and communication

Pass

50-64

Satisfactory design, fabrication and communication

Fail

49-0

Unsatisfactory design, fabrication and communication

For more information see guide to grades.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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:

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.

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.

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	Introduction – Description of the Unit	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Site Visit & Analysis, Intro to timber, concrete, and brick.	Studio (5 hr)
Week 02	Concrete Roof and Ceiling Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	More timber, concrete, and brick. Timber walls.	Studio (5 hr)
Week 03	Sunlight and Orientation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Glass and Metal Wall and Roof Design.	Studio (5 hr)
	Observe the conditions of the site.	Field trip (1 hr)
Week 04	Brick and Tile, Arches and Vaults	Lecture (1 hr)
	Brick and Tile design	Studio (5 hr)
	Observe the conditions of the site.	Field trip (1 hr)
Week 05	Project precedents	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Review of Materials	Studio (5 hr)
Week 06	Project precedents	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Assessment 1 Presentations	Studio (5 hr)
Week 08	Outline of Assessment 2 & 3	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Site analysis into site model	Studio (5 hr)
Week 09	Trusses and Diagrids	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Site Response Strategies	Studio (5 hr)
Week 10	Project precedents	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Design development	Studio (5 hr)
Week 11	Project precedents	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Design Development	Studio (5 hr)
Week 12	Project precedents	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Design Development	Studio (5 hr)
Week 13	Presentation skills	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	No Description	Studio (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance mandatory.
Students will need to bring tools for drawing, drafting and model making into class.

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The Construction Reference from BDES1023 is assumed:
https://www.yourhome.gov.au/

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. Critically interpret and evaluate an architectural brief for a small-scale public building and devise an imaginative and plausible response.
LO2. Develop design solutions that effectively synthesize building form, materiality, spatial organisation, and building technologies to programmed activities.
LO3. Convey architectural propositions through creation of rendered, accurate and appropriately scaled architectural plan, section, and elevation drawings using analogue and digital media techniques.
LO4. Critically select from and use both hand and digital fabrication techniques to produce a physical scale model of design proposals.
LO5. Evaluate feedback from others in a manner that is both reflective and proactive.
LO6. Demonstrate the ability to study precedents and apply knowledge of precedents to the development of architectural ideas and proposals.

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 the first time this Unit is being run.

Additional information

Additional costs

There will be substantial costs for model making materials, and drawing tools: drawing pens, pencils, scale rulers. Students can find many of the necessary materials in the DMaF Lab, payable through SydPay. Any student experiencing financial difficulties purchasing modelling materials can apply for a bursary by writing to: adp.studentlife@sydney.edu.au

Work, health and safety

Model making exercises will require cutting materials and sutting mats.

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

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BAEN2011: DIL: Material and Technology

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links