Environmental Building Systems (ABPL20036)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
In undertaking this subject, students will learn the first principles behind environmental performance in buildings, across their life cycle, providing a robust foundation of how environmental performance can be achieved and quantified. Students will acquire the base terminology, concepts and physics behind designing and constructing buildings with a high environmental performance, optimal solar access, ventilation, envelope, efficient services (e.g., water, gas, electricity, and waste), heating and cooling, and healthy air quality. The subject is highly practical and emulates industry tasks in its assessments.
Prescribed software programs with no cost
FirstRate5
Details of software availability and pricing are captured at https://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/student-experience/it-support
Note: Please check Subject Notes section.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Explain the basic physics driving the environmental performance and indoor environmental quality of buildings;
- Demonstrate design approaches for buildings that can deliver a high level of life cycle environmental performance and indoor environmental quality through passive and active means;
- Represent the life cycle environmental performance and indoor environmental quality of buildings through effective sketches and visualisations.
Generic skills
The following skills should be obtained upon completion of the subject:
- Written, verbal and graphic presentation of ideas;
- Critical thinking and analysis;
- Evaluation of existing knowledge;
- Appropriate use of design terminology;
- Application of generic theories to specific examples.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| No longer available | |||
| ABPL10005 | Understanding the Built Environment | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
-
Please note that students with a double major in Architecture and Construction should complete ABPL20036 and do not need to take ABPL10007.
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: 14 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assignment 1: Critical Portfolio: summarising and reflecting on each week of the subject (personal assignment).
| Throughout the semester, due Weeks 4, 8 and 11 | 15% |
Assignment 2: Draft report that characterises the life cycle environmental performance and indoor environmental quality of a case study house, internationally (group assignment)
| Week 6 | 5% |
Assignment 3: Final report that characterises the life cycle environmental performance and indoor environmental quality of a case study house, internationally (group assignment)
| Week 11 | 30% |
Assignment 4: Technical interview for an environmental sustainability designer position in an international firm (personal assignment), 20 minutes.
| Week 14 | 50% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Andre Stephan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025
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: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Urban Design and Planning Major Property Major Landscape Architecture Major Construction Major Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Architecture - 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 Environments
- 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: 14 March 2025