ARCHTECH 708 : Advanced Building Technologies

Creative Arts and Industries

2023 Semester Two (1235) (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

This course examines how climate-responsive skins can improve building performances, particularly how this topic is developing in different contexts of the Pacific Rim.
The instigators for sustainable development, such as climate change and human wellbeing concerns, are affecting how we conceive buildings. One way this is approached is by exploring buildings' relationship with the dynamics of temperature, humidity, rainfall, daylight and wind flow. These climate factors can affect the quality of indoor and outdoor environments and influence energy consumption and buildings' carbon footprint. In contemporary architecture, the relationship is primarily managed through the design of the building skin, also called building envelope.
Students will investigate how adaptive technologies and materials can be used to improve building performances within specific climate contexts, taking precedence from traditional to contemporary building technologies. Students are expected to critically reflect on international best-practices and regional requirements intrinsic to sustainable building design.
This seminar is highly recommended for students interested in research and design with architectural technologies in their master's thesis and beyond.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ARCHTECH 314 and 315

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. Evaluate climate-responsive façade designs by demonstrating a broad understanding of sustainable buildings and their relationship to materials and technologies (Capability 2.3, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Evaluate advanced façade designs by demonstrating a broad understanding of how climate conditions can be addressed at different latitudes (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Propose appropriate climate-responsive façade strategies through the critical evaluation and synthesis of human needs, technical knowledge, local culture, and climate (Capability 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2 and 5.2)
  4. Demonstrate advanced written, graphic and verbal skills in communicating technically complex topics and insights (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
  5. Develop and conduct independent research to inform the design of sustainable, climate-responsive façades (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation 1 5% Group Coursework
Presentation 2 5% Group & Individual Coursework
Presentation 3 10% Individual Coursework
Essay 80% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Presentation 1
Presentation 2
Presentation 3
Essay

Student presentations: students will present the progression of their research and their findings towards the completion of the assignment.

Assignment: Students will write a 3500-word essay with illustrations responding to their independent inquiry about climate-responsive facades for a building in a selected region in the Pacific Rim. The illustrated essay will include a reflection on the existing literature and context, as well as their proposed solutions for improving climate-responsive façades in the selected building and region.

Pass Requirements: Submitting the Essay is compulsory. Not submitting the Essay will lead to a DNC in your academic record and to the automatic failure of this course. 

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, and 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 field of advanced façade design.

Workload Expectations

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

The course workload is divided in:

- 6 hours of lectures;

- 9 hours for student presentation of their findings;

- 10 hours of tutorials for research and assignment work;

- 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

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.

See the Talis reading list for essential and recommended resources. 

Health & Safety

N/A

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.

The number of student presentations has been reviewed according to the feedback provided. 

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 08/07/2023 08:21 a.m.