Skip to main content
Unit of study_

DAAE3001: Sustainable Architectural Practice

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit of study begins by exploring the concept of ecologically sustainable design as it applies to architectural practice and defines those key attributes of buildings which make them sustainable. It discusses the implication of applying sustainable design principles upon contemporary architectural practice. This unit will cover the fundamentals of passive solar design, the environmental impact of building materials, water sensitive design and the environmental certification of buildings. Through the use of case studies and project work students will learn about how to design environmentally sustainable buildings by understanding contemporary trends in sustainable architectural practice, methods to critically evaluate environmental claims about buildings and will develop a personal position on applying sustainable design principles to architecture. This unit is an Architecture Elective in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture and elective in other courses.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DAAE3001
Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BDES1023 or (DAAE1001 and DESA3011) or (DAAE2002 and DESP1001)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Emma Heffernan, emma.heffernan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Emma Heffernan, emma.heffernan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Assessment 1: Climate change precedent study analysis
Video & display: Precedent study analysis & climate change research
30% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2024 at 23:59
3-4 min video A2 information display
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Assessment 2: Plan and design a resilient demonstration microhome
Design competition
70% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
4 x A2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The projects for the semester will focus on developing a demonstration microhome to deal with flooding, extreme heat, water conservation and resource efficiency.

  • Assessment 1: Climate change precedent study analysis: 
    • As a group you are asked to coordinate and each develop an information panel that can inform and engage the public with these issues and point out some practical things they can do.
    • You will also produce a short video explaining the impacts of climate change on buildings and buildings on climate change.
  • Assessment 2: Plan and design a resilient ESD demonstration microhome:
    • In your groups, you are asked to develop a resilient microhome and show how the siting and form of the building can play with key aspects of flooding, you could also consider heat and/or resource efficiency in your design response.
    • You will be working to a real competition brief in this unit. 

Further information can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction an excellent 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 meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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:

In accordance with University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022, for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to the late work. For work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, 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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit Architecture and Future Climate Scenarios Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Discussion on Environmentally Sustainable Design Assignment 1 tasks: understanding the requirements Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Water in Flux and Rising Sea Levels Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 1 tasks: Precedent analysis Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Temperature in Flux Extreme climates become normal Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 1 tasks: Preparing informative displays Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Future-proofing architecture Handprints for Good Design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 1 tasks: Identifying and evaluating design strategies for adaptation, Review of assignment 1 progress Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Forming the building: Shaping with sunshine Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Introduction and commencement of microhome design Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Visit to site Field trip (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Passive House Approach Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2 tasks: Application of passive solar design principles Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Climate design principles Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2 tasks: Application of adaptation strategies for flood Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 09 Good bones and skin Efficient structures and facades Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2 tasks: Structure and facade detail development Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Materials in flux Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2 tasks: Presentation prep, Progress reviews Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Formative reviews of design projects (student presentations) Presentation (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Biomimicry and adaptable skins Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2 tasks: Project refinement Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Unit Wrap up Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2: Final formative feedback Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022

Clause 8 (3) (a). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption.

 

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

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. integrate knowledge from a diverse range of allied fields related to environmental sustainability into a set of sustainable design principles
  • LO2. evaluate the appropriateness of a range of sustainable design principles to design projects
  • LO3. develop an ethical position about the environmental consequences of design decisions
  • LO4. present information in graphic and written form regarding the relationship of the design of a building and its environmental impact
  • LO5. collect, organise and analyse information and ideas about existing buildings and environmental initiatives
  • LO6. work effectively in groups towards a common outcome.

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.

We have reviewed and revised lecture content and updated assessments to better link the first and second assessments.

Additional costs

You will be expected to produce printed drawings each week and regular printed reports which will require additional expenditure. You may also wish to make working physical models and consider purchasing one of the recommended texts. You will be working on a real competition brief. The School of Architecture Design and Planning will fund one student from each tutorial to enter the competition. Other students are able to enter at their own expense.

Site visit guidelines

We will be visiting the site for your project in this unit. The site will be located in Central Sydney and accessible by public transport. Students will safely make their own way there. The site will be a publicly accessible space. No safety equipment will be required.

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.