Architectural Technology (ABPL20033)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject was formerly known as Construction Analysis.
This subject explores the idea of construction as a process that strategically links structural principles to building elements, systems, materials, and techniques. The subject also covers key elements of building services and sustainability, including strategies to achieve internal comfort (related to building orientation, envelope, heating and cooling, air quality, acoustics, water and waste). Using a set of given case studies, students are asked to review and describe the physical anatomy of Australian residential buildings, emphasising how architectural ideas are conventionally translated into sustainable technological solutions. Students are asked to calculate how buildings perform, therefore understanding their impact on the environment.
Prescribed software tools
Drafting software (e.g. McNeel Rhino, Autodesk AutoCAD)
Image editing software (e.g. Affinity Photo)
Vector editing software (e.g. Affinity Designer)
Details of software availability and pricing are captured at https://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/student-experience/it-support
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Relate building manufacturing and assembly principles to diverse small- to medium-scale construction projects;
- Understand logics, conventions and challenges of technical representations;
- Analyse architectural details that respond to specific technical and programmatic requirements;
- Use technical terminology, principles and techniques of environmental control systems for residential projects;
- Integrate environmental controls into architectural designs in a sustainable manner;
- Trace the relationship or the distance between building conception and building implementation;
- Implement this trace appreciation into an interpretative framework for the organization of small- to medium-scale architectural practice.
Generic skills
- Identify and follow the logic of construction
- Communicate with peers and the community regarding construction matters
- Select materials and systems that allow architects to achieve coherent 3D designs;
- Identify, describe and apply construction systems and types that are common in small to medium-scale residential houses
- Appreciate how building details can materialise a certain design intent
- Identify the need for specific information and where to find them - books, handbooks, data sheets and further sources of knowledge
- Use specific technical terminology
- Convey ideas effectively through written, oral and graphic presentations
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH10002 | Construction as Alchemy | No longer available | |
| ABPL10007 | Environmental Technologies |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ABPL20036 | Environmental Building Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Flipbook Section As-built (Written and graphic submission)
| From Week 1 to Week 4 | 15% |
Flipbook Section 2D (Written and graphic submission)
| From Week 5 to Week 9 | 35% |
Flipbook Section 3D (Written and graphic submission)
| From Week 10 to Week 12 | 30% |
Quizzes
| Throughout the semester | 20% |
Additional details
Assessment may relate to work undertaken in other major subjects.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Sofia Colabella Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Two hours of lecture and two hours of tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Coordinator Sofia Colabella Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Two hours of lectures and two hours of tutorials per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
The following texts are recommended for general reference, and to expand the subject content. The lectures will condense and reorganise the notions covered by these books with a broader body of learning resources, integrated with the Australian building practice.
• Allen Edward, Joseph Iano, Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken (NJ) 2009.
• Allen Edward, How Buildings Work: The Natural Order of Architecture. Oxford University Press, New York 2005.
• Allen Edward, Patrick Rand, Architectural Detailing: Function Constructability, Aesthetics. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken (NJ) 2007.
• Deplazes Andrea, Constructing Architecture: Materials, Processes, Structures. Birkhäuser, Basel 2005.
• Wilkie George, Arden Stuart, Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Owner Builders. New Holland, Sydney 1997. - Incidental costs
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Construction Informal specialisation Non-allowed Breadth Subjects within the Bachelor of Design - relating to specific majors Major Engineering Systems Major Architecture Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 9 April 2025