Outline

Overview

Students are exposed to advanced design methodologies that underpin integrated building engineering. The Unit of Study is articulated in the following four components. Selected cased studies are presented in the initial part of the Unit of Study to introduce some of the key design challenges in dealing with structural projects with complex geometries and joints, for which efficient structural arrangements and details can support cost-effective solutions and have a positive effect on other building functionalities. In the second part of the Unit of Study, students will be introduced to available design methodologies and technologies that enable the embedment of a wide range of functionalities within the structural building components, therefore supporting a holistic approach to the building design. Particular attention will be given to the influence of different structural typologies and construction materials on the expected performance of the buildings and how this is perceived by occupants. Current technology available to constantly monitor the building structural performance will also be covered. These considerations will be covered focusing on the different design stages, from conceptual to final design, and the associated documentation. Students will be exposed in the third part of the Unit of Study to current technology available to mitigate urban overheating when considering the design of buildings. Particular attention will be devoted to available engineering solutions that could be installed in buildings and that could find wider applicability in future developments for urban overheating mitigation strategies. In the last part of the Unit of Study, optimisation techniques will be outlined and utilised to investigate the influence of key design parameters on complex structural systems. Sensitivity analyses will be performed to explore the impact of design parameters on the final design, with particular attention devoted to the detailing and arrangement of structural joints. Students will also be exposed to latest trends in building engineering design that support integrated approaches from conceptual to final design stages.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	CIVL1900 Introduction to Civil Engineering and CIVL1110 or AMME1362 Materials and CIVL2201 Structural Mechanics and MATH2061 Linear Mathematics and Vector Calculus and (CIVL3511 Introduction to Integrated Building Engineering or CIVL9511 Introduction to Integrated Building Engineering)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Gianluca Ranzi, gianluca.ranzi@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Questions and answers (see Assessment Summary).	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Assignment 1 Questions and answers (see Assessment Summary).	20%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	In-semester test Questions and answers (see Assessment Summary).	20%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Apr 2026 at 15:20 Closing date: 21 Apr 2026	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Assignment 2 Questions and answers (see Assessment Summary). Recorded presentation.	30%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

- In-person mid-semester test.

- Submission of assignments 1 and 2 in Canvas.

- In-person final exam managed by the Exam Office.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85-100	Have a thorough understanding of the concepts in this Unit of Study and are able to apply these concepts to new problems
Distinction	75-84	Increasing understanding and abstractions
Credit	65-74	Increasing understanding and abstractions
Pass	50-64	Are able to apply the analysis and design approaches covered in this Unit of Study to basic problems
Fail	0-49	Have no understanding of the concepts covered in this Unit of Study and are not able to solve basic problems

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:

Late penalties for assignments and exams to be managed in accordance with University policies.

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 to the integrated engineering design and key challenges for complex building systems. Outline of a selected case study.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to the integrated engineering design and key challenges for complex building systems. Outline of a selected case study.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to the different functionalities performed by selected building components and how these can be considered in modelling, e.g. thermal response. Discussion on the verification results. Introduction to Rhino and Grasshopper.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to the different functionalities performed by selected building components and how these can be considered in modelling, e.g. thermal response. Discussion on the verification results. Introduction to Rhino and Grasshopper.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Outline of a case study. Introduction to the different functionalities performed by selected building components and how these can be used in modelling (cont’d). Introduction to Rhino and Grasshopper (cont’d).	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Outline of a case study. Introduction to the different functionalities performed by selected building components and how these can be used in modelling (cont’d). Introduction to Rhino and Grasshopper (cont’d).	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to indoor comfort requirements. Overview of modelling features relevant to thermal comfort associated to building components. Introduction to the evaluation of the building performance for different construction typologies.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to indoor comfort requirements. Overview of modelling features relevant to thermal comfort associated to building components. Introduction to the evaluation of the building performance for different construction typologies.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Outline of a case study. Introduction to urban overheating and available mitigation and adaptation techniques related to building applications. Introduction to the evaluation of the building performance (cont’d).	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Outline of a case study. Introduction to urban overheating and available mitigation and adaptation techniques related to building applications. Introduction to the evaluation of the building performance (cont’d).	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Overview of case studies and considerations to their design methodology and their digital implementation in a design scenario. Possible role of monitoring strategies for buildings.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Overview of case studies and considerations to their design methodology and their digital implementation in a design scenario. Possible role of monitoring strategies for buildings.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Parametric design. Introduction to the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of building components.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Parametric design. Introduction to the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of building components.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	In-person mid-semester exam and review of material.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	In-person mid-semester exam and review of material.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Parametric design (cont’d). Introduction to the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of building components (cont’d).	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Parametric design (cont’d). Introduction to the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of building components (cont’d).	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Parametric design and optimization techniques applied to building components. Evaluation of how different design parameters influence the optimized solution.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Parametric design and optimization techniques applied to building components. Evaluation of how different design parameters influence the optimized solution.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Evaluation of the impact of design parameters on building component design scenarios of real case studies and how these can be performed in an optimization environment.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Evaluation of the impact of design parameters on building component design scenarios of real case studies and how these can be performed in an optimization environment.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Opportunities of digital information flow. Overview of selected case studies.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Opportunities of digital information flow. Overview of selected case studies.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Revision for final exam.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Revision for final exam.	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

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. Demonstrate written and graphical communication skills at professional engineering standard including capacity to justify an engineering position.
LO2. Design of building components based on integrated design approach
LO3. Perform optimisation analyses to identify well performing designs
LO4. Evaluate and discuss the results obtained from different design solutions
LO5. Address complex problems requiring interdisciplinary approaches
LO6. Apply the fundamental methods of analysis and design

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.

Student feedback of last year was very positive and no changes were suggested. Despite this, the UoS content has been revised and updated.

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

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CIVL5531: Advanced Integrated Building Engineering

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links