Unit Outline

Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments Architecture Technology units focus on establishing key concepts and principles related to the physical facts of architecture and human experience of these facts. At Introductory level, these units provide foundational knowledge and skills in structure, construction and material performance. This unit is part of a suite of four units in the degree core of B.ABE and the Spatial Design practice specialisation in the Bachelor of Design. In Architecture Technology: Performance and Principles you will develop design skills in imagining and realising structural solutions for spatial environments based on knowledge of foundational principles. You will be introduced to a range of analogue and digital tools, and understand their use and value in the design and making of structures. Through collaborative workshop activities and individual self-directed experiments, you will gain knowledge of the structural performance of materials, elements and systems, and explore the implications and opportunities for the design of spaces and objects. You will also apply this knowledge to a specified design problem to produce models and prototypes at different scales.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Explain the physical and mechanical properties of structural behaviour through experimentation with materials, elements and systems.
2	Design solutions for the space or object by applying knowledge of structural principles and material properties.
3	Employ tools and techniques to imagine, communicate and fabricate spatial design propositions at various scales to fulfil the brief.
4	Apply a process of critical reflection to the design and fabrication practices employed.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT1	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	AT2	Week 9	30 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Hurdle Task: WHS certification	Refer to Assessment Description	0 %	LO3
Assessment Task 4:	AT3	Refer to Assessment Description	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1

Task Description:

To undertake structural experiments in combination with the weeks lectures and workshop. Once experiments are completed, individually document and reflect on the questions, results and findings, including additional research.

Task Length:

At least 4 hours per week outside of class to document and reflect on structural experiments

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	C1 - Explain structural behaviour (including use of terms, illustrations, and cite sources)	LO1
2	C2 - Design new structural tests applying knowledge of structural principles	LO2

Assessment Task 2: AT2

Task Description:

To design and make a cardboard object using your new skills in CAD and the Laser Cutter. The project brief will be given out in class.
To be able to complete this assessment will require attendance to weekly face to face tutorials, seeking feedback and practicing outside of class to develop your skills. For some students it may require additional reading to understand orthographic drawings.

Task Length:

Weekly homework to develop CAD drawing skills, as well as designing and making the drawn object using the Laser cutter outside of class time.

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	C1 - Design solution applying knowledge of structural principles	LO2
2	C2 - Apply CAD and visualisation skills	LO3
3	C3 - Fabricate object design using the laser cutter	LO3
4	C4 - Document and reflect design and making processes	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Hurdle Task: WHS certification

Task Description:

Workplace Health and Safety is critical in the workplace. This unit aims to develop proficiency on a range of tools and equipment within the UTAS workshops. Prior to using any equipment, you are required to undertake basic training via the OnGuard training system (details will be provided in class and via MyLO).

Task Length:

Online module.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correct answers to quiz questions based on module learnings.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: AT3

Task Description:

To design and make a Species Hotel Prototype during and outside of class time. This will entail collaborative design, working with models and developing a prototype to test and use. The task involves developing and reflecting on your design and making process – particularly structure, fulfilling the brief and realising a working prototype.

Task Length:

Both involves weekly work in and outside of class time to design and fabricate models and produce a final prototype, as well as documenting and reflecting on the application and processes in an A4 journal (minimum 6 pages to maximum 12). Can be undertaken in a team or as an individual or pair.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	C1 - Explain and analyse structural behaviour (including the use of terms and illustrations)	LO1
2	C2 - Creative design solution to the brief (incorporating the structural principles, user needs, visitor engagement and sustainability)	LO2
3	C3 - Fabricate object design and level of execution	LO3
4	C4 - Document and reflect design and making processes	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.