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Unit of study_

MARC4002: Sustainable Architecture Research Studio

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 Jennifer Ferng, jennifer.ferng@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Jessica Bradley, jessica.bradley@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Research presentation and prototype concept
Verbal presentation along with Powerpoint and panels (6).
40% Week 04
Due date: 14 Sep 2020 at 08:00
4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment group assignment Interim review
Architectural design for a public shelter in SEA
30% Week 08
Due date: 19 Oct 2020 at 08:00
4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Assignment group assignment Final review
Architectural design for a public shelter in SEA
30% Week 12
Due date: 16 Nov 2020 at 08:00
4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

This unit is taught in blended mode with both FTF and online components. Assessments will be presented either in person or online via Zoom. All assessments will be submitted via 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.

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:

5% late penalty per day

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 Introduction to sustainable architecture and climate change Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 02 Environmental history and tropical climates Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 03 Southeast Asia cities and air conditioning Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 04 Vernacular architecture in Southeast Asia Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 05 Designing with passive cooling Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 06 Designing with ventilation Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 07 Designing in urban contexts Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 08 Interim presentations Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 09 Humanitarian architecture Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 10 Resilient communities and environmental adaptations Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO13
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 11 Guest lecture Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO13
Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 12 Final presentations Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14

Attendance and class requirements

The School’s requirement of 90% attendance is waived. Participation in this unit is required via in-person and online activities.

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 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. research, evaluate and develop a project design brief to account for stakeholder objectives and requirements
  • LO2. identify and integrate contextual information related to the site and applicable regulatory conditions of design
  • LO3. identify and incorporate critical information related to the physical and environmental conditions relevant for the project brief
  • LO4. understand and integrate climatic analysis methods
  • LO5. prepare a conceptual architectural design that creatively responds to the project brief, the site and the relevant wider context
  • LO6. investigate and evaluate strategies for structure, construction, materials and environmental systems
  • LO7. research and evaluate 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 architectural design
  • LO10. integrate appropriate strategies for climate control, thermal comfort, lighting
  • LO11. understand principles of evidence-based design and provide clear evidence of efficient design
  • LO12. apply creative imagination and aesthetic judgement to produce a coherent design proposition that resolves site planning, function, spatial planning and circulation, physical composition, scale and form, 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 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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 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.