ABB105 Spatial Materiality

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces and explores the materiality of the built environment, focusing on sustainability and technological advances. It will cover several themes of materiality, including physical and psychological properties, extraction and creation processes, positive and negative environmental impacts, and applications for creating sustainable works of architecture, interiors, and landscapes. The unit will consider historical and cultural uses, including historical and contemporary uses by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through observation, analysis, and reflection, you will understand critical materials and how they can heighten the human experience of spatial environments and have a positive environmental impact through design and application.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Describe the physical properties of common construction materials. (CLO1, CLO3)
2. Explain the historic development of the built environment through its physical creation. (CLO1, CLO3)
3. Understand the process of materials selection and their impacts on design outcomes. (CLO1)
4. Understand operational and embodied energy and whole life carbon implications of materials. (CLO1)

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit adopts a blended learning approach with resources and activities in the classroom and online. You will learn primarily by actively participating in the teaching activities and the online learning environment. This is not a passive experience but rather one that requires your involvement, engagement, and commitment. This unit uses an interactive mode of delivery; as such, engagement in the in-class activities is a vital part of the learning experience.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• in-class group activities
• on-line formative exercises
• in-class trial examination (early in the semester)
• criteria-referenced assessment rubrics
• feedback from teaching staff after completion of the first assessment

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will take the form of a late-semester report and an invigilated written examination at the end of the semester. The report will seek to assess your deep understanding of a single material/system and its properties, applications, and impacts. The examination will seek to assess your breadth of knowledge across many materials, systems, and applications in the built environment.

Assessment expectations will be provided through criteria-referenced assessment rubrics and discussed during relevant lectures. Teaching activities at key times throughout the semester will provide guidance and feedback on assessment tasks.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Report

You will investigate and report on the physical properties and social and environmental impacts of a chosen building material and/or construction system. The report will be set out as a 'user guide' for designers and builders. The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Examination

Multiple-choice examination assessing knowledge of building materials and construction systems, including their properties, applications, and impacts. Questions will be drawn from lectures, tutorial activities, and readings.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

There are no additional costs or special requirements associate with this unit.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction

There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
   Relates to: Report, Examination
2. Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
   Relates to: Report, Examination

AB05 Bachelor of Architectural Design

1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills in architecture.
   Relates to: Report, Examination
2. Communicate architectural knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
   Relates to: Report, Examination