Units
Sustainable Design Systems
Unit code: BEB213
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
A range of sustainability tools will be covered that support environmental impact analysis, economic analysis and social impact assessment, within a holistic approach to design. The capabilities of the tools will be discussed and then used to build up appropriate workflows that support integrated assessment for sustainability. These will be applied to a comprehensive design problem to reinforce the students understanding.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Performing sustainability analysis of buildings using current tools is time consuming and expensive. Better integration with design and analysis tools is necessary before sustainability analysis can become rigorous and widespread. This unit synthesises material covered within both the digital design and sustainability components of the course to demonstrate current state of the art in integration.
Aims
1. To introduce methods of sustainability assessment for buildings;
2. To demonstrate digital tools that support sustainability assessment of buildings;
3. Increase awareness of the advantages and shortcomings of sustainability assessment;
4. To demonstrate flexible modelling methods to respond to analysis.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you will:
1. Compare and critically analyse various sustainability methods and determine how to apply these to design problems.
2. Demonstrate an ability to apply sustainability analysis software tools and assess the robustness of the results.
Content
A range of sustainability tools will be covered that support environmental impact analysis, economic analysis and social impact assessment, within a holistic approach to design. The capabilities of the tools will be discussed and then used to build up appropriate workflows that support integrated assessment for sustainability. These will be applied to a comprehensive design problem to reinforce your understanding.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4 Hours per week
Lecture: 2
Studio/Tutorial: 2
Learning Approaches:
This unit will be conducted through a mix of lectures and tutorials.
The lectures will cover the theory behind sustainability assessment. The tutorials will provide a mix of generic skills to ensure that all students have a sound understanding of the tools used, combined with a problem based approach that will reinforce their skills in a simulated workplace environment.
Learning approaches will cover the following:
Assessment
Assessment will be based on two problem-based learning assignments.Tutors will offer formative feedback during the semester at key times to assist the development of your understanding and the completion of your assessment tasks.
Assessment name:
Project 1 (applied)
Description:
A report on a case study analysis and performing original simulation via the tools and techniques shown in class.
Relates to objectives:
1 & 2
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid Semester
Assessment name:
Project 2 (applied)
Description:
You will work on an individual design project based on your discipline area. The scope will be decided through discussions with the tutor. You will submit a problem statement and a narrative of the approach used during design activity. This will be submitted as a series of PowerPoint slides.
Relates to objectives:
1 & 2
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
No Set text
Recommended reading will be provided in week 1 and posted on the unit's Blackboard site.
Software references:
Specific software references vary from semester to semester based on the current version of software applications. All software used in this unit will be available for installation on the students own computers.
Material from the Internet (Hypertext):
This material will be presented on the Blackboard site for the unit.
Risk assessment statement
In this unit you will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. No inductions are necessary, all work takes place in traditional classroom.
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: 31-May-2012
