CQUniversity Unit Profile
BLAR12036 Building Design 1
Building Design 1
All details in this unit profile for BLAR12036 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Building Design 1 will introduce you to creative design as a process of investigation, critical observation and experimentation. You will be introduced to the client briefing process as well as to basic aesthetic and sustainable design principles and their application to the design of low rise residential and commercial buildings. By engaging in a series of short design-based projects that involve critiquing, listening consciously, researching and creatively solving design problems, you will learn how to create spatial environments that are conducive to human well-being and that meet stakeholder requirements.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: BLAR11049: Built Environment Communications and Skills or ENEG11005: Fundamentals of Professional Engineering

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2024

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: 20%
2. Portfolio
Weighting: 40%
3. Portfolio
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Evaluations

Feedback

Students reported that the subject is very large compared to the other units in the course.

Recommendation

It is recommended that a review is undertaken at course level to explore ways to address this issue.

Feedback from Student Evaluations

Feedback

Students reported that the weekly activities helped to gain an understanding of the theoretical knowledge that was then applied in the design assessments.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the weekly activities continue to be offered.

Feedback from Student Evaluations

Feedback

Students reported that the feedback received on their draft design projects was helpful and essential to shaping their understanding and approach to the design process.

Recommendation

Feedback will continue to be offered on draft design projects.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Develop spatial environments that are conducive to human well-being demonstrating experimentation and self-reflection
  2. Critique designs through the lens of building design processes demonstrating research abilities, conscious communication skills and critical, creative insight into related thought and design processes
  3. Design environmentally sustainable low rise residential and commercial buildings
  4. Create aesthetic low rise residential and commercial buildings
  5. Creatively solve design problems to meet stakeholder requirements.


Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Portfolio - 20%
2 - Portfolio - 40%
3 - Portfolio - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Portfolio - 20%
2 - Portfolio - 40%
3 - Portfolio - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Microphone and camera for use with Zoom
  • ArchiStar is recommended (free access provided by CQU - contact the Unit Coordinator if you don't have access yet)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Stephanie Flowers Unit Coordinator
s.flowers@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

What is the role of the building designer and what is the design process?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

How do I design approach, entrance and circulation within the building?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Review: Spatial relationships within a building

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

How does the site influence the design of a building?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 Due: Week 4 Thursday (1 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

How do I find a concept and form for a building?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

How do I design the exterior of a building?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Review: How do I apply all the theory to my design?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Introduction to commercial building design.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2 Due: Week 8 Thursday (5 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Concept, circulation and spatial design for commercial buildings

 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Spatial relationships within the context of the built environment

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Review: How do I apply all the theory to my design?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

End of Term Review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 3 Due: Week 12 Thursday (3 Oct 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Assignment 1

Task Description

This assessment item will address the Unit Learning Outcomes 1 and 5.

You will develop a spatial environment that is conducive to human well-being to meet prescribed stakeholder requirements as per an interactive client briefing.

There will be opportunities for you to present your sketches and plans for feedback - it is strongly recommended that you attend the live feedback sessions.

Your submission will be a Portfolio document containing sketches and plans of your design and written responses to the assessment tasks, the focus of which will relate directly to Topics 1, 2, and 3.

Weekly topic tasks will be available on the Weekly Activity Forum and are to be submitted as part of this assignment via the Moodle portal.

Full and detailed tasks for this assignment and the assignment rubric will be available from the Assessment Block in Moodle.

Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.

 


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Thursday (1 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

Submission via Moodle portal.


Return Date to Students

Vacation Week Thursday (15 Aug 2024)

Students will be advised of any adverse circumstances that might delay this.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be allocated as specified in the assignment brief in the Assessment Block in Moodle.
Assessment Criteria are based on demonstration of the following:
  • creative resolution of design problems to meet stakeholder requirements
  • critical thinking and problem solving employing experimentation and self reflection

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle portal.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop spatial environments that are conducive to human well-being demonstrating experimentation and self-reflection
  • Creatively solve design problems to meet stakeholder requirements.

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Assignment 2

Task Description

This assessment item will address the Unit Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4.

You will develop a spatial environment that is conducive to human well-being with a focus on both aesthetic and environmentally sustainable design as per an interactive client briefing. You will provide feedback to fellow students on draft versions of their designs and gain feedback on your draft versions via the assignment forum. There will also be opportunity for you to present your sketches and plans for feedback - it is strongly recommended that you attend the live feedback sessions.

Your submission will be a Portfolio document containing sketches and plans of your design and written responses to the assessment tasks. This assessment builds on what you have learnt in Topics 1 - 3 and relates directly to Topics 4, 5, 6 and 7. Full and detailed tasks for this assignment and the assignment rubric will be available from the Assessment Block in Moodle.

Weekly topic tasks will be available on the Weekly Activity Forum and are to be be submitted as part of this assignment via the Moodle portal.

Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Thursday (5 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

Submission via Moodle portal.


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Thursday (19 Sept 2024)

Students will be advised of any adverse circumstances that might delay this.


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
You must achieve 40% minimum in this assessment.

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be allocated as specified in the assignment brief in the Assessment Block in Moodle.
Assessment Criteria are based on demonstration of the following:
  • identification and creative resolution of design problems to develop spatial environments conducive to human well-being
  • research and evaluation of site constraints in order to develop an environmentally sustainable building
  • critical thinking and problem solving employing experimentation and self reflection to design an environmentally sustainable and aesthetic building
  • constructive engagement in online discussion forums using a structured communication process when required
  • use of conscious communication skills and critical, creative insight into related thought and design processes (demonstrated in plans, report and online presentation)
 

 

 

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle portal.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice
  • Social Innovation


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop spatial environments that are conducive to human well-being demonstrating experimentation and self-reflection
  • Critique designs through the lens of building design processes demonstrating research abilities, conscious communication skills and critical, creative insight into related thought and design processes
  • Design environmentally sustainable low rise residential and commercial buildings
  • Create aesthetic low rise residential and commercial buildings

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Assignment 3

Task Description

This assessment item will address the Unit Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5.

You will develop a spatial environment that meets stakeholder requirements with a focus on both aesthetic and environmentally sustainable design. You will provide feedback to fellow students on draft versions of their designs and gain feedback on your draft versions via the assignment forum. There will also be opportunity for you to present your sketches and plans for feedback - it is strongly recommended that you attend the live feedback sessions.

Your submission will be a Portfolio document containing sketches and plans of your design and written responses to the assessment tasks. This assessment builds on what you have learnt in Topics 1-7 and relates directly to Topics 8, 9, 10 and 11. Full and detailed tasks for this assignment and the assignment rubric will be available from the Assessment Block in Moodle.

Weekly topic tasks will be available on the Weekly Activity Forum and are to be be submitted as part of this assignment via the Moodle portal.

Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Thursday (3 Oct 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

Submission via Moodle portal.


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be returned on 24 October 2024. Students will be advised of any adverse circumstances that might delay this.


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
You must achieve 40% minimum in this assessment.

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be allocated as specified in the assignment brief in the Assessment Block in Moodle.

Assessment Criteria are based on demonstration of the following:

  • identification and creative resolution of design problems to develop spatial environments that meet stakeholder requirements
  • research and evaluation of site constraints in order to develop an environmentally sustainable building
  • critical thinking and problem solving to design an environmentally sustainable and aesthetic building
  • constructive engagement in online discussion forums using a structured communication process when required
  • use of conscious communication skills and critical, creative insight into related thought and design processes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle portal.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice
  • Social Innovation


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critique designs through the lens of building design processes demonstrating research abilities, conscious communication skills and critical, creative insight into related thought and design processes
  • Design environmentally sustainable low rise residential and commercial buildings
  • Create aesthetic low rise residential and commercial buildings
  • Creatively solve design problems to meet stakeholder requirements.

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?