ARCHTECH 108 : Introduction to Technology and Sustainability

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester Two (1245) (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

ARCHTECH 108 is a 'core' paper that covers a range of important topics. It provides an introduction to structural concepts and construction principles, encompassing building elements, systems, and various foundation options. The course also delves into the properties of commonly used construction materials, with a particular emphasis on timber frame constructions. It explores their regulatory context, practical applications, detailing, and ways to integrate these principles into design studio projects. In addition, the course addresses climate and vernacular architecture, principles of climate-sensitive design, and the vital aspects of sustainability and resilience within the built environment.

Course Requirements

Restriction: ARCHTECH 106, 107

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

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 4.1)
  2. Demonstrate and understand characteristics and behaviour of timber as a building material. (Capability 3.2)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the components and connections and fasteners of timber-framed small-scale buildings. (Capability 3.3)
  4. Apply fundamental knowledge for the relationship between material and construction. (Capability 4.2)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the New Zealand Standard of timber-framed small-scale residential houses. (Capability 5.3)
  6. Use the appropriate disciplinary vocabulary. (Capability 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 01 10% Individual Coursework
Assignments 02 30% Individual Coursework
Assignments 03 10% Group Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments 01
Assignments 02
Assignments 03
Final Exam
Formative and Summative Assessments   
Formative Assessment will be conducted 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, if possible and when the application is made according to the procedure below.
1. By direct request to the Course Director/Course Coordinator, a student may request a mitigation (such as an extension) in respect to assignments if their assessment has been disrupted by illness or other unexpected event that is out of the student’s control. 
2. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date should still be accepted where that is reasonably possible within the context of the course. 
3. Notifications by students should include information about the unexpected circumstances and should attach evidence to support this if they have any.
The evidence expected should only be that which a student may be reasonably expected to be able to provide. 
 Students applying for an extension of time must obtain an Extension of Time Form for Coursework. The form is available on Canvas and must be submitted as pdf and signed to the course coordinator.  
The normative is 50% to pass the course.
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 through a combination of lectures and tutorial sessions.
• The lecture content is closely tied to the tutorials and the assignments completed during tutorial sessions.
• During the lectures, students will acquire knowledge related to structural and construction principles, focusing on small-scale residential buildings. In the tutorials, students will actively apply this knowledge by working on the development of construction details for small-scale residential structures.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course, and students are expected to dedicate 10 hours per week to each 15-point course they are enrolled in.

For this specific course, you should anticipate 26 hours of lectures, an 18-hour tutorial, 20 hours allocated for reading and contemplating the course content, and 86 hours for assignments and exam preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance at scheduled activities, such as tutorials and lectures, is mandatory to fulfill course requirements.

Lectures will be accessible as recordings, while other learning activities, including tutorials, will not have recording options available.

The course will not involve any live online events.

In-person attendance on campus is obligatory for the exam.

The course's activities are structured according to a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

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.

All feedback from students has been thoroughly analyzed and discussed with the Head of School, Course Stream Leader, and tutors.
As a result, changes have been made to the tutorial delivery dates, and a significant commitment to reusing timber-model materials has been incorporated.

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. 

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 11:43 a.m.