DESC9147: Semester 1, 2021

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Units DESC9147 Semester 1 2021 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

DESC9147: Sustainable Building Design Principles

Semester 1, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Overview

Many buildings claim to be sustainable, but what are the design principles that allow them to achieve this? This unit aims to develop a critical understanding in students of building design principles that reduce the impact of the built environment on energy and other resource flows. Students will gain an overview of technical strategies that reduce the environmental impact of buildings and develop an awareness of the benchmarks and metrics used to judge the implementation of environmental design principles. The unit pays particular attention to design principles that relate to the environmental performance of the building fabric and the thermal systems of buildings.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DESC9147
Academic unit	Architectural and Design Science
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Fundamental knowledge of building design
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Daniel Ryan, daniel.ryan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Sustainable building redesign Written report	65%	STUVAC	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Bioclimatic building case study Case study and poster presentation	35%	Week 07	A0 or 2xA1
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Bioclimatic building case study: You are asked to do a case study of a classic environmental building using bioclimatic analysis. A suggested list of possible case studies will be given out and available on Canvas, but you may also elect to choose your own case study, provided the building was environmentally innovative for its time, is over 10 years old and is in a different climate type to Sydney’s.
Sustainable building redesign: You are asked to write a briefing document to redesign the building you previously studied for one of the following locations in Orange, New South Wales; Darwin, Northern Territory; and Devonport, Tasmania.

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.

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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 03	Bioclimatic site analysis and design	Lecture (4.5 hr)
Week 03	Site analysis	Tutorial (2.5 hr)
Week 05	Reducing cooling loads, shading design renewable energy systems	Lecture (4.5 hr)
Week 05	Climate consultant introduction	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
Week 06	Case studies. Materials - health and cradle to cradle design	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 06	Review of assignment 1	Tutorial (2.5 hr)
Week 08	Water sensitive design	Lecture (4.5 hr)
Week 08	Cove Tool and shading design	Computer laboratory (2.5 hr)
Week 10	Resilient Design Integrated sustainable design strategies	Lecture (4.5 hr)
Week 10	Review of proposed assignments	Tutorial (2.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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 knowledge of the relevant properties of building form, materials and construction elements which impact on the environmental performance of buildings
LO2. demonstrate competence at applying this knowledge and formulating appropriate sustainable design strategies
LO3. develop a critical awareness of claims made about the environmental performance of building form and construction materials
LO4. develop an ability to work collaboratively with others on a project
LO5. evaluate propositions for sustainable design strategies against a researched performance metric
LO6. develop abilities to rigorously communicate sustainable material attributes and appropriate strategies for environmental 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.

Unit was well reviewed and has largely been kept the same. New lecture in Bushfire sensitive design

Additional information

Additional costs

Students are expected to cover the cost associated with printing assignments.There will also be a small cost associated with cardboard model making for solar studies.

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

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