Unit outline_

MARC5330: Regenerative Design Technologies

Semester 1, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit of study students will explore the concept of regenerative design from a technological perspective. The unit of study builds upon the current technical knowledge and evidence-based design in the field of regenerative design. Students will learn how to assess regenerative design through a series of indicators such as environmental and ecological impact, material lifecycle, circular design and carbon emissions. Regenerative design techniques and technologies will be explored and assessed to challenge current concepts and practices. The overarching aim of the unit of study is to equip students with relevant knowledge and skill to propose coherent and robust design solutions that consider environmental impacts and regenerative design strategies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
DESC9148
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should be familiar with architectural sketching and drawing, 3D modelling, building technology and construction process fundamentals

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Aysu Kuru, aysu.kuru@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Attendance hurdle task AI Allowed Attendance
90% attendance is required in this UoS.
0% Multiple weeks 90% attendance is required in this UoS.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment AI Allowed Analysis
Analysis of a place
0% Week 05
Due date: 25 Mar 2025 at 23:59
A3 portfolio - Maximum 8 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment group assignment AI Allowed Proposal
Proposal for a regenerative design solution
60% Week 13
Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59
A3 portfolio - Maximum 10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Analysis (Individual): Choose a place you call home. The place you choose should include a precinct (neighbourhood) and a building within the precinct (the entire residential apartment building where you live, or the whole faculty building where you study, etc.). Ideally, the place should be in Greater Sydney. Analyse the state of the natural and built environments of the place.

Assignment 2: Proposal (Group): Propose a regenerative design solution that addresses the issue you identified for the place you chose in Assignment 1. There are two options to choose the place: your group can either choose one of the places that one group mate analysed in their Assignment 1, or your group can propose a regenerative design solution that is suitable for all the places all the group mates analysed in Assignment 1 by focusing on their similarities. The proposal can be a design idea, design process, design technology or design product. Develop an implementation plan for how your regenerative design solution will be implemented in the place. Discuss how the effectiveness of your regenerative design solution will be evaluated.

Assessment criteria

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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 policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% penalty per calendar day up to and including 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.

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 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. 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 Unit & Climate and nature action Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Case studies discussion & Assignment 1 introduction Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Regenerative design thinking & Place-based design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Place-based site analysis discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Living buildings and structures Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment 1 review Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Biomimetic design and Assignment 2 introduction Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Biomimetics discussion and Assignment 2 group formation Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Biophilic design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Biophilia discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Biodiversity-sensitive design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Biodiversity-sensitive design discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Concluding remarks Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment 2 review Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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

Readings will be posted to Canvas site throughout the semester.

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, describe and critique contemporary trends and theories related to regenerative design.
  • LO2. Critically evaluate different regenerative design options and apply the most appropriate tools to support the design process.
  • LO3. Critically appraise regenerative technologies, evaluating their effects, in relation to ecological, economic, social and cultural contexts.
  • LO4. Generate an informed research proposal based on the integration of innovative regenerative techniques and technologies in an architectural design process.
  • LO5. Assess and critique case studies according to regenerative criteria.
  • LO6. Develop tailored communication to present regenerative design options and technologies.

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.

The unit delivery timetable has been revised to offer fortnightly block mode sessions.

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.