Outline

Overview

This design integration lab provides the creative framework for students to explore how a design inquiry seeks to minimise the environmental footprint. The unit extends the study of architectural design as a process of investigation, critical observation, and experimentation. Through a project brief located in a rural setting, students learn to balance a range of complex issues inherent in the production of architecture including material, structure, program, site, history, and representation, with a view towards sustainable, energy efficient and low-carbon design. Such knowledge is developed through a suite of lectures and accompanying practical exercises to explore the performance-based design application of sustainable building principles and technologies, including passive solar, energy efficient, low carbon design and ecological materials to different aspects of the project brief. Using these exercises as a basis students will integrate sustainable, conceptual, programmatic, and technical concerns into their own persuasive architectural proposition.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	BAEN2011
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Aysu Kuru, aysu.kuru@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Portfolio The final project presented in an architectural portfolio	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2026 at 23:59	20-30 page sbumitted portfolio	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Attendance (practicals) Participation (attendance practicals)	0%	Multiple weeks	12 (out of 13) x 3 hours	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Attendance (tutorials) Participation attendance (tutorials)	0%	Multiple weeks	12 (out of 13) x 2 hours	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Early feedback task In-class online quiz	0%	Week 03 Due date: 19 Aug 2026 at 13:59	15 question quiz	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Design Charrette Design charrette for a compendium of drawings presenting a sensory journey, site strategy and annotated sketch	20%	Week 05 Due date: 02 Sep 2026 at 18:59	5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Interim Design Review Presentation of the interim design with physical models and drawings, and submitted panels of the presentation	20%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2026 at 23:59	8 min talk, printed & submitted panels	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final Design Review Presentation of the final design with physical models and drawings, and submitted panels of the presentation	30%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2026 at 23:59	8 min talk, printed & submitted panels	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = 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

Early Feedback Task: In-class quiz due Week 3 (0%)

Assessment 1: Design Charrette due Week 5 (20%)

Assessment 2: Interim Design Review due Week 9 (20%)

Assessment 3: Final Design Review due Week 13 (30%)

Assessment 4: Portfolio due Week 15 (30%)

Attendance: Faculty requirement

All assignments are individual work.

Assessment criteria

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

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 the due time 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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 – human-nature connection	Lecture (1 hr)
	Brief reading	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	Site, climate and the environment	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Site visit	Fieldwork (5 hr)
Week 03	Sensory design. Early feedback task	Lecture (1 hr)
	Massing strategy	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Succession in architecture and landscape	Lecture (1 hr)
	Landscaping strategy and in between spaces	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Design charrette techniques	Lecture (1 hr)
	Design charrette feedback and reflection	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design charrette	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Material lifecycle	Lecture (1 hr)
	Material selection and plan, section and elevation development	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Ecological design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Veranda, threshold, and envelope design	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Biophilic design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Succession timeline drawings	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Presentation techniques	Lecture (1 hr)
	Presentation and feedback	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Interim design review	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Environmental design	Lecture (1 hr)
	Feedback integration and design development	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Technical development	Lecture (1 hr)
	Detailed design	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Portfolio techniques	Lecture (1 hr)
	Final panel layout	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Design development	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Concluding remarks	Lecture (1 hr)
	Presentation and feedback	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Final design review	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

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. Refer to the School Course Resolutions: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2022/542&RendNum=0

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

Required readings will be posted on the Canvas site.

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. Develop design solutions that effectively integrate the knowledge of passive solar, energy efficient and low carbon design principles into an imaginative and plausible architectural response to a project brief.
LO2. Use analogue and digital models and drawings to analyse historical precedents and environmental factors in terms of their efficacy for resolving an architectural solution at a given site.
LO3. Convey design ideas coherently in rendered, accurate and appropriately scaled plan, section, and elevation drawings and physical and digital model.
LO4. Evaluate feedback from others in a manner that is both reflective and proactive.
LO5. Assess and critique sustainable design ideas and principles on performance-based criteria.

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.

A mandatory site visit has been planned in class.

Additional information

Other relevant information can be found on the Canvas site.

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

Site visit guidelines

For the site visit, see the Canvas site for details.

Work, health and safety

Model making exercises will require cutting materials and cutting mats, as well as the potential use of the School`s Design, Modelling & Fabrication (DMaF) Lab.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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)

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

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Model making exercises will require cutting materials and cutting mats, as well as the potential use of the School`s Design, Modelling & Fabrication (DMaF) Lab.

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BAEN2021: DIL: Sustainability and Performance

Semester 2, 2026 [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)

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

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Model making exercises will require cutting materials and cutting mats, as well as the potential use of the School`s Design, Modelling & Fabrication (DMaF) Lab.

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links