Course Title: Design sustainable buildings

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: ARCH5203

Course Title: Design sustainable buildings

School: 320T Architecture & Design

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6136 - Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)

Course Contact: Catherine Ciavarella

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9819

Course Contact Email: catherine.ciavarella@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

andrew rodda

twitter/skype: andrewRMIT

Nominal Hours: 90

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to apply the principles of sustainability to building design. It includes the application of sustainable practices to minimise negative impacts of the construction process and land use on the environment, incorporate passive design, sustainable water use and energy efficiency into a building design and select suitable materials for the construction of the building. It requires compliance with relevant legislation, Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia (BCA).


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU21593 Design sustainable buildings

Element:

1. Determine the impacts of building development on the natural environment.

Performance Criteria:

  1. Impacts of building development on surrounding ecosystems are researched to identify the benefits of sound environmental policy.
  2. Triple Bottom Line approaches are determined for consideration in the designing of buildings.
  3. Current government and industry responses to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) are researched and representative organisations for ESD are identified to ascertain current policies and legislation.

Element:

2. Incorporate sustainable criteria into building design
 

Performance Criteria:

  • Location specific climates and their characteristics are identified and their impact on building design is researched to inform the design.
  • Basic principles and integration for building orientation, minimal site impact, thermal mass, insulation, glass exposure and ventilation are determined to maximise integration of sustainable design principles in the design.
  • Site influences and sun path are considered to maximise opportunities for passive heating and cooling.
  • Passive design principles are incorporated into a design project.
  • Sustainable site development practices are included in design specifications.
  • Appropriate form of construction is selected and documented according to client brief and specifications.

Element:

3. Select sustainable materials
 

Performance Criteria:

  1. Characteristics of sustainable materials are identified and analysed to inform material selection.
  2. Sustainability of a range of building materials is compared and suitable materials are selected for a specific building design, in accordance with current legislation and the BCA.

Element:

4. Incorporate systems for sustainable water use
 

Performance Criteria:

  1. Systems for water collection, storage, use and reuse are incorporated into building design, in accordance with relevant legislation and local restrictions.
  2. Alternative systems for reticulated water and effluent disposal are investigated and described.
  3. Strategies to prevent run-off are investigated and incorporated into design.

 

Element:

5. Incorporate energy efficiency into building design

Performance Criteria:

  1. Energy efficient design principles are identified in accordance with current legislation and the BCA.
  2. Renewable energy sources are researched and integrated into building design and best practice options for energy conservation are recommended.
  3. Selection and use of energy efficient fittings, appliances and services are determined and included in design specifications.

Learning Outcomes


This unit supports the attainment of the skills and knowledge required for building designers to design sustainable buildings within the context of relevant legislation, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian Standards.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities are a combination of

  • Lectures
  • Self Directed Learning
  • Independent Research

 


Teaching Schedule

 Session  Task
01 Topic delivered by Lecture   ESD-MP01 Project Brief Assigned
02 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
03 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
04 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
05 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
06 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
07 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
08 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
09 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
10 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
11 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
12 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
13 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
14 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
15 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
16 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
17 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
18 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
19 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
20 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
21 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
22 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note Taking in lecture, independent research, project development.
23 Topic delivered by Lecture ESD-MP01 Assessment Upload
24 Topic delivered by Lecture  Note taking in lecture, review of content for quiz
25 Assessment Online ESD-MP02 Online Course Exam covering all topic content.

For detail outline of the teaching schedule, course structure and current updates, refer to ‘course resources’ in the RMIT LMS and myRMIT. The teaching schedule may be subject to change; students will be made aware of prior changes.

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate design drafting workplace conditions, materials, activities,
responsibilities and procedures. Holistic or project-based assessment with other related units is recommended.

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
• apply the principles of sustainable building design in accordance with current legislation and government policies
• evaluate and recommend sustainable materials suitable for the construction of a specific building design in accordance with client brief and specifications
• research, evaluate and report on data and findings, make recommendations and develop strategies for the design of sustainable buildings for at least one building development project that complies with the applicable local government authority, relevant legislation and the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
 


Assessment Tasks

ALL ASSESSMENT TASKS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE.

SUBMITTING ALL ASSESSMENT TASKS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PASS GRADE IN THIS COURSE

  • ESD-MP01: Sustainable Design Project [50% Course Weighting]
  • ESD-MP02: Online Course Quiz [50% Course Weighting]

 

Summative assessment tasks in this course are graded. Refer to RMIT University VET Grades Curriculum-based Courses: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=6voay09je4v9#final

  • A grade of DNS will be recorded if a student fails to submit all assessments or fails the final major project.
  • Preliminary work will be reworked as necessary until final submission
  • No work can be resubmitted after the final submission
  • Refer to the teaching schedule for the final submission date
  • Late work will not be accepted unless accompanied by an approved extension of time or special consideration form. Refer to RMIT policies and procedures for details.
  • Submitting all assessment tasks does not guarantee a pass in this course
  • Work must be authenticated in order to be assessed (weekly review of work during class time)
  • You will receive verbal and/or written feedback in evaluation of your progress within class time for which you will be responsible to engage with and record.


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Task  Course Competencies 
 ESD-MP01 Elements: 2, 3, 4, 5,
 ESD-MP02 All Elements

Other Information

Academic Progress:
At the end of each semester student progress will be reviewed by the Student Academic Progress Review Committee. Students failing 50% of their program load or more, at this stage will be reviewed according to the University's unsatisfactory academic progress procedure.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r08bgjneb22t1

Student Charter:
The Student Charter, in association with the University’s statutes and laws, indicates what the University and its students can expect from each other. The University’s mission is to create and disseminate knowledge to meet the needs of industry and the community and to foster in students the skills and passion to contribute to and engage with the world. 

http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter

Student Responsibilities:
In undertaking this course students are required to be responsible for:

  • The time management of the course work in order to complete all work requirements satisfactorily and on time.
  • RMIT encourages students to attend all scheduled classes to optimise academic success. 
  • To ascertain what content or assessment has been missed, and gather the information prior to next class.
  • To be proactive in mastering the academic material of the course by challenging, questioning and extending course outcomes.
  • To be responsible for the maintenance of a non-disruptive and scholastic attitude in the learning environment.

See RMIT Academic progress information, responsibilities and support for current students:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=nzasms4pljer (unresolved)

Extension of Time for Submission of Assessable work Procedure:
Students must refer to the RMIT policy for eligibility and procedures. 

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=8r23xxpe4fne

Equitable Assessment:
Students must refer to the RMIT policy for eligibility and procedures.
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=id0959jyz9mx (unresolved)

Special Consideration:
Students must refer to the RMIT policy for eligibility and procedures.
www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w (unresolved)

Assessment Principles:
Final assessment decisions can be reviewed and or appealed.
See RMIT Assessment Policies:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic

Employability skills:
Employability skills describe non-technical skills and competencies that are an important part of effective and successful participation in the workplace.
The following Employability Skills are an inherent part of this course:
Communication, Teamwork, Problem solving, Initiative and enterprise, Planning and organising, Self management, Learning and Technology.

Plagiarism:
The RMIT policy on plagiarism is referenced under Academic Integrity at RMIT.
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n;STATUS=A?QRY=Plagiarism%20-%20student%20information&STYPE=ENTIRE

Course Overview: Access Course Overview