Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

One of our missions as designers is to identify the challenges and opportunities in translating climate change into a positive shift towards a sustainable built environment, that is not only environmentally positive but socially and economically viable. This unit deals with exactly this through systemic design thinking.

The unit will focus on rural/remote and disaster relief contexts, resources and products from across the globe. Students will make use of both theoretical and practical circular design frameworks to learn about these contexts in a comparative way, to make sense of the existing connections and propose design propositions at the different scales. They will consider the past while focusing on future buildings and products considering equally the social, the environmental and the economical aspects of the communities involved.

The unit will emphasize in particular experimentation with bio-materials and traditional techniques and processes, which are a widespread link amongst rural and remote communities across the world. The course will focus on United Nation Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Education) and 12 (Sustainable Production and Consumption).

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) analyse, compare and explain existing architectural and products developed across the globe within remote/rural/disaster relief communities, with the aim to understand what are the impacts, challenges and uses of natural resources, recognizing and prioritizing ethical design for a circular economy and longevity; (2) demonstrate into the design and construction processes, considerations for materials sourcing, components and systems from biological and technical cycles that enhances quality of design and performance of products and architecture, in light of its historical uses in traditional and contemporary settings.; (3) generate design proposals that consider worldviews and perspectives of rural/remote and disaster relief communities while drawing knowledge from building sciences and technological fields of research.; and (4) synthetize at a professional level the social, ethical and environmental responsibilities impacting upon production of a regenerative architecture and product design for climate resilience, while caring for traditional ways of living and for the use of design as a tool towards creative development in communities..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) journal; (2) in class exercises; and (3) portfolio. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Rosangela Tenorio
Incidental fees
Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
Materials (estimated cost - 120).
Contact hours
Seminars: up to 3 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.