Outline

Overview

The Sustainable Architecture Research Studio will focus on the theories, technologies and techniques that promote the creation of a sustainable built environment. The studio projects will explore the interdependent issues of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The studio will prompt students to develop critical positions in response to a studio brief selected from one or more options that probe sustainability and extend and explore those positions through a research-based architectural design process. MARC4001 Urban Architecture Research Studio, MARC4002 Sustainable Architecture Research Studio and MARC4003 Digital Architecture Research Studio are all available in both Semesters 1 and 2. Students may enrol or pre-enrol freely, but some will be asked to swap to create equal groups. After three semesters each student will have done each of the studios. The studios examine the relationships between architecture and urbanism; architecture and sustainability; and architecture and digital design. Each is based around one or more design projects which address a specialised area of study, supported by lectures and seminars which introduce the relevant theory, knowledge and design precedents. Studios require the investigation of key technical issues and systems, and their innovative integration in the design, with the preparation of appropriate documentation. On the successful completion of these units, students will have demonstrated: an ability to formulate, interpret and communicate appropriate concepts derived from the study of brief and site; an ability to extend those starting points into a working design proposal; an ability to develop the design proposal in response to critique, and produce a building design which demonstrably embodies understanding of the principles associated with the specialised study area; an ability to communicate the design ideas effectively through appropriate graphic and three-dimensional means using architectural conventions; and an ability to cohesively design and execute a comprehensive presentation of the project. These units are core to the Master of Architecture.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MARC4002
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Arianna Brambilla, arianna.brambilla@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Portfolio Reflective journal and portfolio	20%	Mid-semester exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2020 at 09:00	-
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Sustainability Matrix research and presentation of a line of inquiry	40%	Week 06 Due date: 30 Mar 2020 at 09:00	Max 4 A3 pages – or equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final design It comprises the comprehensive resolution and presentation of the project	40%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2020 at 09:00	Online submission: 4 panels A2
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Task 1: This assessment task comprises research and presentation of a line of inquiry or a set of themes that will drive the research, investigations and design phase. In this assessment, students will define the sustainability matrix that will be used as performance assessment criteria. The matrix will represent the individual sustainability agenda of each student, and it will include all those indicators/performance that the student considered essential for sustainable design. The report must be graphically based through the use of sketches, diagrams, scheme design, and info-graphics.
Task 2: This assessment task comprises the comprehensive resolution and presentation of an architectural design project. The design brief can be found on Canvas and discussed with the tutors and UoS coordinator during the semester. The design must underpin a clear lien of inquiry and sustainability agenda decided by the group on the basis of Task 1; and it must be an outstanding example of climate change resilient design. The building performance in regard to energy consumption, thermal environment and carbon emissions must be calculated and discussed during the presentation.
Portfolio: This assessment is built in PebblePad and it comprises two sections. 1) Students will be asked to keep a reflective journal online with a regular log. The journal must be shared fortnightly with the teaching team. 2) At the end of the semester, students will create and submit a reflective e-portfolio, which must include the final design and elements of reflections to show the individual learning journey

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	When you don’t 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.

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 01	Introduction to sustainable design and climate change	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 01	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 02	Building physics Pills	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 03	Design with sunlight	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 04	Design with air	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
	Computer lab	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Design with water	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
	Computer lab	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Design with natural elements	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
	Computer lab	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Design on life cycle	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
	Computer lab	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Interim presentation workshop	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 09	Design for people	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 10	Design with humidity	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 11	Guest lectures	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 12	Sustainable futures	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 13	Final presentation	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The School’s requirement of 90% attendance is waived. Participation in this unit is required via online components.

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.

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. research, critically evaluate and develop the project design brief to account for stakeholder objectives and requirements
LO2. identify, critically evaluate and integrate contextual information related to the site and to applicable regulatory conditions of design
LO3. identify, critically evaluate and incorporate in the design requirements the critical information related to the physical and environmental conditions relevant for the project brief
LO4. understand climatic analysis methods and tools, and integrate this knowledge into the early design phase with the articulation of design strategies, principle and guidelines that could help to develop and assess the first design options
LO5. prepare a design strategy and conceptual architectural proposition that creatively responds to the project brief, the site and the relevant wider context
LO6. critically investigate and evaluate technological options for design, including strategies for structure, construction, materials and environmental systems
LO7. research and critically evaluate several possible design proposals consistent with the project requirements, including physical, environmental and cultural contexts
LO8. apply creative imagination and aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design propositions
LO9. incorporate the advice of relevant specialists and consultants in developing the project design
LO10. integrate appropriate technological propositions for design, including strategies for structure, construction, materials, environmental and transport systems, including climate control, thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics
LO11. understand the principles of evidence-based design, use the appropriate tools to evaluate and support the design options, and provide clear evidence of efficient design
LO12. apply creative imagination and aesthetic judgement to produce a coherent design proposition that satisfies regulatory requirements and resolves site planning, function, spatial planning and circulation, physical composition, scale and form, technological aspects such as structure, construction, materials and environmental systems
LO13. demonstrate the integration of design, technical and other consultant and specialist advice throughout the design process
LO14. complete and communicate in a timely manner accurate and comprehensible documents that include, as required, drawings, models, consultant and specialist advice, reports and other relevant modes of information to fully and clearly describe the design proposition.

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.

Students feedbacks have been taken in consideration since the unit was last offered

Additional information

Canvas:

Additional costs

Students will be required to make physical models and produce printed drawings with additional expenditure.

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARC4002: Sustainable Architecture Research Studio

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect