Outline

Overview

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

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Case studies	Analysis Analysis of a place	40%	Week 05 Due date: 26 Mar 2026 at 23:59	A3 portfolio - Maximum 8 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Proposal Proposal for a regenerative design solution	50%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 23:59	A3 portfolio - Maximum 10 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation and contribution to individual and group work In-class tasks and group work	10%	Weekly	Weekly	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

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.

Contribution (Individual): Students are expected to contribute to and engage with weekly skill-building tasks and discussions. Students are assessed based on their contribution to group work.

Attendance (Individual): Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early depature will be deemed as an absence. Studnets who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have approved special consideration may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit.

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)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Unit & Climate and nature action	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Case studies discussion & Assignment 1 introduction	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Regenerative design thinking & Place-based design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Place-based site analysis discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Living buildings and structures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Assignment 1 review	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Biomimetic design and Assignment 2 introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Biomimetics discussion and Assignment 2 group formation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Biophilic design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Biophilia discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Biodiversity-sensitive design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Biodiversity-sensitive design discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	The practice of regenerative design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Assignment 2 review	Tutorial (2 hr)

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

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. 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The group task`s weighting has been decreased as per the 2025 USS.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MARC5330: Regenerative Design Technologies

Semester 1, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links