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Course Outlines

DESST 3514 - Construction III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2016

In this course students will study the construction of architecture, landscapes and urban environments. The course will build on the topics introduced in Construction II: history and theory; representation and documentation; materials and detailing; engineering structure and fabric; structural engineering principles; plants; grading and drainage; and digital documentation. The topics of: building codes, regulations, standards, specifications, building procurement and contracts; and parametric modelling will be introduced in this course. Revit and Building Information Modelling (BIM) will be introduced. The course aims to develop advanced knowledge, skills and understanding in the areas of: the relationship between construction and design; the representation of construction in a historical and theoretical context; construction materials and detailing; and the relationship between structure and fabric; planting, irrigation and grading; structural principles and digital construction documentation. Students will have foundational knowledge, skills and understanding in the areas of: the use and impact on construction and design of building codes, regulations, and standards; the writing of specifications, methods of procurement and contracts; and construction documentation using parametric modelling software.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DESST 3514
    Course Construction III
    Coordinating Unit School of Architecture and Built Environment
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge DESST 2518
    Restrictions Available to B.ArchDes students only
    Quota A quota will apply
    Assessment Quizzes, physical model making, digital models, hand drawing and digital drawing
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Jian Zuo

    Refer to MyUni for more information
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

    Refer to the Course Handout Booklet on MyUni for more information
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. recognize how materiality affects building design
    2. define how digital tools can inform the design process
    3. describe how BIM affects project workflow
    4. apply the rationalisation of design scheme to accommodate building structure and services while maintaining design integrity
    5. demonstrate how to use REVIT
    6. illustrate how to integrate digital tools with other design inputs (like sketch drawings)
    7. work in teams and with other consultants
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    		 1,2,3,5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    		 2,4,6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    		 3,6,7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    		 4,5,6,7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    		 1,3,6,7
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    		 1,2
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources

    Please refer to MyUni for details of recommended readings and websites

    The following texts are suggested reading for this subject:

    • 'Detailing for water: why do buildings leak?' (Rico J Bonaldi. Pub Bonaldi Australia. )(a portion of this text will be made available on MyUni)
    • Concrete Basics (this will be made available on MyUni)
    • 'Barrys Advanced Construction of Buildings' (Stephen Emmitt, Christopher A Gorse)
    • 'On Weathering' (Mohsen Mostafavi, David Leatherbarrow)
    • 'Building Your Own Home' (George