Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The ability to integrate a deep understanding of building construction technologies with broader aspects of architectural design is a core capability of architectural graduates. This unit, in the final semester of the program, will facilitate your exploration of this relationship at a pre-professional level. This unit allows detailed development of building technologies in an integrated learning environment; technological explorations are related to design project work.

Aims

This unit aims to equip you with the capabilities to make informed design decisions that optimise your responses to the opportunities, constraints, and conflicting needs of design technologies (structure, construction, buildability, assembly, materials, components, and services); and integrate these responses with other design considerations (spatial quality, context, planning, tectonics, and form).

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1. Manage, research, analyse, coordinate, and integrate structural design, construction systems, and building services into a functionally effective design proposal.
2. Enhance the architectural qualities of a building design though appropriate application and integration of design (construction) technologies.
3. Prepare a comprehensive set of construction drawings (contract documents) that record and communicate relevant information (appropriate for communicating with a range of construction industry professionals).

Content

This unit covers the following subject areas:

• Technical design and detailing


• Construction planning


• Technical drawing standards


• Information management


• Contract documentation

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: Hours per week
Tutorial: 3 hours

Learning Approaches:
This unit will involve the participation in a 'simulated practice office' environment. This immersive learning environment will require you to work in teams to achieve shared goals (project goals and learning goals) under the direction of a 'supervisor' (teaching staff); the production of a set of contract documents as directed by an 'architect'. This unit will also involve some formal tutorial sessions and self-paced individual learning activities. You will at times be expected to take responsibility for managing your own learning outcomes within the learning environments provided (physical, conceptual and virtual/on-line).

Learning approaches will cover the following:
- Problem based learning
- Case studies
- Reflective analysis

This unit seeks not to provide data, but to build design skills and analytical techniques within students. The nature of rapidly changing construction technologies means that information becomes outdated very quickly. The teaching and learning approach is therefore one of facilitating students to do their own research, and make their own explorations of architectural technologies, and to build the capabilities of being a lifelong learner.

Assessment

Overview of Assessment:
Assessment will be based on two assignments. The assignments will require a range of analysis exercises to be performed in a structured order that will inform the development of a design project. Formative feedback will be offered on assignment work during the semester at key times during tutorials. Further detail will be provided on "Assignment Handouts".Formative Assessment:
Assessment type: Ongoing
Weighting: Nil

Advice and feedback will be given during the semester to assist students preparing their assignments.

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will prepare a written and illustrated report that describes the structural, construction and building services (HVAC, vertical transportation, electrical, hydraulic, etc.) in a building design project. This report will require the skill to manage, research, analyse, coordinate, and integrate design technologies.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Design- Construction Documents
Description: You will prepare, as part of a student team, a comprehensive and fully integrated set of construction drawings (contract documents), compliant with relevant technical standards and codes. Assessment of this task will include a group component and an individual component.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There are no set texts for this unit.

The production of construction drawings (contact documents) will require the use of a computer with appropriate software (you will be given more detailed information before the start of the semester). It will however be possible to complete the learning and assessment tasks of this unit using software installed on the computers in the QUT computer laboratories. You will be expected to print out hard copies of your drawings (for assignments) as well as provide digital copies.

Additional Costs
None.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 30-May-2012