ABN414 Advanced Building Science
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABN414 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | DAN104 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,900 |
| International unit fee | $5,616 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABN414 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | DAN104 |
| Coordinator: | Veronica Garcia Hansen | v.garciahansen@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit aims to develop an understanding of low-energy and high-comfort architectural design solutions for large-scale buildings. This hands-on unit addresses natural means of control of indoor conditions for the achievement of thermal and visual comfort of building occupants with a focus on the evaluation of design solutions through simulation. It explores the role of building science and simulation tools in the design of high-performing buildings. Buildings are large energy consumers, most of which come from their operations. In a world of finite resources, architects must understand the environmental impacts of their design decisions, considering all technical and scientific issues involved to achieve maximum comfort while minimising energy consumption. This unit further develops scientific knowledge associated with architectural practice and, in particular, skills required for designing and evaluating large-scale projects dealing with environmental design.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of building science necessary for high performance building design.
- Demonstrate ability to use various tools for the evaluation of high performance buildings of large scale.
- Apply integrated strategies and solutions, principles of passive low-energy design techniques to complex building design to achieve physical comfort for building occupants.
Content
The major topics covered in this unit will include:
- Design and evaluation of thermal and visual comfort in large scale buildings
- Natural energies and passive techniques for large, complex buildings (passive solar, passive cooling, daylighting)
- Solar access
- Heat and air flow
- Evaluation tools for high performance buildings.
Learning Approaches
Learning in this unit will be focused on your ability to apply knowledge to practice. A blended learning approach will be adopted, with a mix of face-to-face and online resources. The practical applications will include:
- Solving case-based exercises in class
- Critically assessing buildings in terms of energy consumption
- Using simulation tools for design evaluations.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in following ways:
- In-class formative exercises
- In-class review of weekly activities
- Criteria referenced assessment rubrics
- Verbal feedback from teaching staff at completion of projects.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment will take the form of two projects. While each project will be assessed for grading at the completion of the project, there will also be ongoing formative feedback throughout the semester, to guide your progress. Assessment expectations will be provided through criteria referenced assessment rubrics, and also discussed during relevant lectures and presentations.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study
Evaluation of high performance building in terms of visual and thermal performance using simulation tools.This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report
Application and integration of building science, including energy efficient strategies and solutions for thermal and visual comfort for the design of a high performing building of large scale. This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Requirements
All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.
Resources
Specific resources and materials will be shared through the unit Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit is based in QUT teaching spaces, and as such there are no out of the ordinary risks or hazards.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE83 Master of Architecture
- Identifying, explaining and working with appropriate knowledge of architecture, its history and precedents and with knowledge of people, environments, culture, technology, history and ideas pertinent to architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO1, Case Study, Report - Propositional, imaginative, iterative, integrated thinking to synthesise complex architectural designs.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Case Study, Report - Supporting their decision-making using evidence-based, reasoned argument and judgement pertaining to architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO2, Case Study, Report - Communicating with a variety of audiences in appropriate ways.
Relates to: ULO1, Case Study, Report - Demonstrating their understanding of architecture's status as an ethical service-oriented profession committed to responsible care for the inhabited environment.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Engaging proactively and autonomously in the effective procurement of architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO2, Case Study, Report