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Unit of study_

DESA3011: Introduction to Building Construction

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides a comprehensive overview of standard domestic scaled construction in Australia. It begins by introducing a number of recurrent themes in construction including the idea of building culture, the various modes of delivery and variety of classifications of buildings and building elements, rational construction and construction detailing from first principles. There follows a review of construction techniques of well-documented and/or accessible exemplars. Finally, the unit will review current issues related to key attributes of buildings which make them sustainable, particularly with regard to material selection, appropriate detailing and energy and resources conservation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DESA3011
Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eugenia Gasparri, eugenia.gasparri@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment 1_Case study: residential building (overview)
1_Case study - report
40% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO1
Assignment group assignment 2_Case study: residential building (in detail)
2_Case Study - report and presentation
60% Week 12 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • 1_Case study: residential building (overview): Choose four residential buildings of different types. Identify and describe building typology, materials, construction technologies and details.
  • 2_Case study: residential building (in detail): Choose one residential building under construction. Provide an in-depth analysis of the construction process and activities. Identify and describe building typology, materials, construction technologies and details. Produce annotated 1:5 scale construction drawings.

Detailed information for each assessment 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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Unit introduction. Lecture (1 hr) LO5
Assessment Tasks – overview, group formation. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Overview of building types. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Task 1 – confirm case studies, review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 The construction site. Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Task 1 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Floor systems. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Task 1 – review and discuss. Task 2 – confirm case study. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Wall systems. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Tasks 1 & 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Window and door systems. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Task 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Roof systems. Services overview. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Task 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Project Overview. Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Task 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Technical drawings. Construction management. Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Task 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Advanced construction series_1 Lecture (1 hr) LO5
Task 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Advanced construction series_2 Lecture (1 hr) LO5
Task 2 – review and discuss. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Task 2 – final presentation. Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Feedback session. Close the loop! Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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 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. Identify Australian domestic scaled building types and typologies.
  • LO2. Critically analyse case study examples and report on their typology, materials, construction and details.
  • LO3. Correctly detail a range of building assemblies, being able to understand construction process, methods, tools, etc.
  • LO4. Correctly represent technical drawings at an appropriate scale to document a building’s assembly at a detail level.
  • LO5. Understand that technical and construction considerations can both derive from and enhance architectural concepts.

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.

Changes were made according to USS feedback - 2021. In particular, one lecture will be dedicated to technical drawings to provide more guidance on Assessment 2.

Additional costs

You will be required to meet the costs associated with printing for tutorial working sessions and to make a number of site visits in the Sydney metropolitan area.

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.