ARCHTECH 108 : Introduction to Technology and Sustainability

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduction to structural concepts and construction principles, including building elements, systems and foundation options. Properties of commonly used construction materials, with a focus on timber frame constructions, their regulatory context, applications and detailing, and appropriate ways of applying the principles to design studio projects. Climate and vernacular architecture. Principles of climate-sensitive design. Sustainability and resilience in the built environment.

Course Overview

This is a 'core' paper

Course Requirements

Restriction: ARCHTECH 106, 107

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 an understanding of the structural and construction principles and systems for timber-framed small-scale residential buildings. (Capability 1.2)
  2. Demonstrate and understand characteristics and behaviour of timber as a building material. (Capability 2.2)
  3. Demonstrate 3. Understand the components and connections and fasteners of timber-framed small-scale buildings. (Capability 3.2)
  4. Apply fundamental knowledge for the relationship between material and construction. (Capability 4.1)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the New Zealand Standard of timber-framed small-scale residential houses. (Capability 5.1)
  6. Use the appropriate disciplinary vocabulary. (Capability 6.1)
  7. Demonstrate the achievement of the outcomes above, as individual student work. (Capability 5.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 01 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 02 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 03 10% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignments 01
Assignments 02
Assignments 03
Final Exam
Formative and Summative Assessments   
Formative Assessment will be given during the weekly feedback in the tutorials by the tutors. The Summative Assessment will be based on the Examination. Written feedback can be given for Assignments on CANVAS.   
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. 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. The form is available on Canvas and t must be submitted to the course coordinator.  
Sitting the final examination is compulsory. Not sitting in the exam will lead to a DNS in your academic record and to the automatic failure of this course.

Teaching & Learning Methods

The course will be delivered in a combination of lectures and tutorial courses.  
• The lectures contents are connected to the tutorials and to the assignments made in the tutorials. 
• In the lecture the students learn the knowledge of structural and construction principles and systems for small-scale residential buildings. In the tutorial the students have to practices the development of construction details for small-scale residential buildings. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 26 hours of lectures, a 18 hour tutorial, 20 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 86 hours of work on assignments and exam preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials and lectures to complete components of the course. 
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings. 
The course will not include live online events. 
Attendance on campus is required for the exam. 
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

New Zealand Standard Timber-Framed Buildings 3604:2011.  
Timber Treatment, Summary information from NZS 3602:2003.  
NZS 1100.301 Technical drawing: Part 301: Architectural Drawing, 1985.  
External Moisture – An Introduction to weather tightness design principles - Department of Building and Housing, 2004.  
Greg Burn: Branz Building code compliance, 2012.  
Greg Burn: Branz Building basics: Weather tightness, 2010.  
Alan Bulleyment: Branz Timber-framed homes: a simple guide to their good construction, 2004.  
Daniel l Schodek: Structures: Pearson / Prentice Hall, 2008.  
Fuller, Moore: Understanding structures, WCB/McGraw Hill, 1999.  
Angus J MacDonald: Structure & Architecture, Oxford ; Boston : Architectural Press 2001.  
Branz Bulletin: Load Paths, 2017.  
Branz Bulletin: Critical Connections, 2017.  
Branz Bulletin: Timber pole house construction, 2017.  

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

Students are expected to attend to tutorials and lectures weekly. Attendance in tutorial class and in tutorial sessions, as well as engagement with course activities, modules and readings, supports academic success. Therefore it is strongly recommended that students make every effort to attend tutorial class and complete all the necessary in-class requirements. Please note that participation to Tutorial sessions will be tracked by Tutors each week.  
Emails will be answered from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during weekdays. Emails will not be sent or answered during the weekends. Any emails received after 5:00pm will be answered within 48 hours counting from the next day. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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 10:59 a.m.