ARCHGEN 724 : Special Topic: Advanced Building Technologies

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines how responsive skins can be used to improve building performances. Explores the development of building technologies in the Asian and Oceania regions of the Pacific Rim.

Course Overview

Advanced Building Technologies
Buildings can be more complementary designed with information from the surrounding environment. Buildings can respond to dynamics of temperature, daylight and wind ow that ultimately generate better indoor and outdoor environments. Climate change and social changes are aecting the way we conceive buildings and we are looking more and more to design solutions that are able to respond to multiple changes over time. In contemporary architecture, this response is primarily achieved through the design of the building skin, otherwise called building envelope. The implementation of the building skin with form, mass and orientation is at the basis of the design of high-performance buildings. Students will investigate how adaptive technologies and materials can be used to improve building performances without neglecting the lesson learned from the past, also understanding how this topic is developing in dierent contexts of the Asian and Oceanian side regions of the Pacic Rim. A mix of global and local thinking (Glocal) will be used as driver of this research-led seminar which will also include the development of a brief conceptual design proposal. This seminar is highly recommended for students who are new to the University of Auckland and completed an undergraduate degree programme with less than 20% of its content devoted to building technology

Course Requirements

Restriction: ARCHGEN 720-723, 725

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of how climate conditions are addressed in the design of advanced facades at dierent latitudes (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 2.2)
  2. Understand and critically evaluate the inuence of local culture, traditions and nature on façade design (Capability 2.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Identify research and contextualize sustainable issues related to the use of materials and technologies in façade design (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2 and 5.2)
  4. Demonstrate improved written, graphic and verbal skills in regards to technically complex topics (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  5. Develop the capacity to combine creative thinking and technical skills in the design of a climate responsive building skin (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.2)
  6. Develop and demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research on climate responsive façades (Capability 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Students presentations 10% Individual Coursework
Assignment 1 40% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Students presentations
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Students presentations: students to present the progression of their research towards Assignment 1 through weekly seminars.
Assignment 1: students to select three reference projects at three dierent scales. The three projects will be located in the same area/town of the Asian and Oceanian side regions of the Pacic Rim. A 2,500 words research report will be the outcome of this assignment.
Assignment 2: students to propose their own interpretation of a climate responsive façade for the selected area through a design proposal with 1,000 words reflective report.

Pass requirements 
Where a student has been unable to attend to their studies for a period of time in the semester they may apply for an Extension of Time. Late submissions will be considered on medical and special grounds when supported by a health or other professional, and when the application is made according to the procedure below. Coursework not received by the due date, and for which no extension of time has been approved, will receive the grade ‘DNC’ (Did Not Complete). Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Students applying for an extension of time must obtain an Extension of Time Form for Coursework Submission from the School of Architecture and PlanningOce (6th Floor of the Architecture Building, Building 421, 26 Symonds Street) and complete the required details. Late submission forms must be accompanied with the appropriate sign by faculty sta.

Teaching & Learning Methods

The course will include lectures delivered by the teaching sta and guest lecturers and student seminars to discuss progress on assignments.
The lectures will feature case studies and relevant media on climate responsive building skins.
All students will be required to present their progression towards the assignments during the seminar, the proposals will be subject to discussion. It is expected that the presentations are compact and specic to convey the complex subject matter in a clear visual form.
The course is based on previously acquired skills and intends to develop new skills in the eld of advanced façade design. Students will validate theirs studies applying the acquired skills in a brief design proposal.

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15 points course represents approximately 150 hours of study.

The course workload is divided in:

- 8 hours of lectures;

- 14 hours for students presenting their ndings;

- 128 hours of independent research and assignment work.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including students presentations to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available also as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 

Learning Resources

A detailed Reading List will be provided before the course start via the Talis Reading List

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Attendance in class, as well as engagement with course activities, modules and readings, supports academic success. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students make every eort to attend class and complete all the necessary in-class and post-class requirements. Please note that participation to classes will be tracked. The lecture time is generally arranged in one slot of 50 minutes following a 10-minutes break and then, class presentations and discussion. However, it is possible that the lecture time will be arranged dierently, in order to suit the dierent topics to be delivered. Guidelines for the preparation of Assignments and related Assessment Criteria will be provided separately.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Assignments guidelines, lecture handouts and other relevant course materials will be available for download on Canvas. Canvas will be also used for direct communications (via announcements) on class activities and for thenal upload of the materials required to fulll assignments requirements.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Students will be required to submit an electronic version of their work on Canvas for Turnitin check.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

If you require academic accommodations based on the impact of a disability or impairment, please contact Alessandro on email alessandro.premier@auckland.ac.nz as soon as possible at the beginning of the course to discuss your specic needs.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

It is expected that students participate actively and positively in the educational environment including: preparing for and attending classes as required; participating in class discussions and other activities; maintaining steady progress within the course; and submitting required work on time. Commitment to the ideals of a university is demonstrated by achieving personal excellence in performance and allowing freedom of expression. Students should be aware of their individual rights and responsibilities regarding the proper use of copyright material, the ethical responsibilities of researchers with regards to animal and human subjects, and intellectual property rights. Where appropriate, students can exercise their rights to reasonable access to and assistance from academic sta and the various academic support services. Student representative organisations, such as the Class Representative system and AUSA represent students and can also be approached for support.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 03/12/2020 10:43 a.m.