ABB214 Environmental Principles of Architectural Design
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: | ABB214 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (ABB102 or DAB102 or DLB102 or DTB102) and (ABB105 or DYB112) |
| Equivalent(s): | DAB211 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,436 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABB214 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (ABB102 or DAB102 or DLB102 or DTB102) and (ABB105 or DYB112) |
| Equivalent: | DAB211 |
| Coordinator: | Veronica Garcia Hansen | v.garciahansen@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit familiarises you with the basic design principles and passive strategies for heating, cooling and daylighting necessary for architectural designs that respond to human needs (human comfort), are climate-responsive and energy efficient. Understanding the importance of climate-responsive design provides you with the tools to integrate environmental design principals in buildings that reduces carbon emissions for building operations. In a world of finite resources, understanding the physical phenomenon we have to deal with in design is essential for responsible professionals. Technical and scientific issues are an integral part of design projects. It is a fundamental task of architectural design to achieve maximum comfort requirements of the building occupants while minimising energy consumption and operational carbon emissions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain how basic passive solar strategies affect building climate performance and operational carbon emissions.
- Analyse a building/structure based on design and passive principles and identify ways to achieve physical comfort for building occupants.
- Apply environmentally responsible design principles to a design project, with regard for materials, components and systems, and their whole like carbon implications.
Content
- Sustainable design principles
- Thermal performance of buildings
- Solar geometry and solar control
- Natural ventilation
- Daylighting design
- Design with climate
- Passive solar hearing
- Passive solar cooling
Learning Approaches
- Problem based learning
- Focus on practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways
- In-class formative exercises
- Weekly formative feedback through quizzes
- Feedback during workshop based activities
- Peer to peer feedback
- Canvas general comments to cohort group
Assessment
Overview
Assessment will be based on quizzes, problem-based learning assignment and a design project.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Home Audit
During the first half of the semester, you will have lectures, tutorials and self-directed activities that will scaffold the process for the analysis of your home in terms of basic architectural science principles, using observations and manual calculations.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Design project
Application and integration of basic building science and knowledge gain through hands-on experiments, observations, simulations and demonstrations to designing buildings appropriate to specific climatic regions.
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.
Resources
Required and recommended readings and resources will be identified on Canvas prior to and during the semester.
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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB05 Bachelor of Architectural Design
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills in architecture.
Relates to: Home Audit - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative architectural solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Home Audit, Design project - Plan, develop and complete architectural research and projects.
Relates to: Design project