Building Science

This unit introduces students to the procedures, principles, and methods of construction with a particular focus on typical residential buildings. The unit provides a regulatory and scientific framework and practice of both quantitative and qualitative aspects of projects. The unit includes consideration of environmental sustainability, whole life carbon implications, building design decisions, their impacts on both the natural and built environments, and the comfort conditions of their occupant(s). This unit provides prerequisite knowledge essential for the NBC2004 Building and Construction Studies unit. It includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activities, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical, real-world contexts.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify regulatory frameworks in construction including codes and standards and discuss the types and functions of domestic buildings, and the regulations that apply to them.
2. Provide energy efficient strategies, approaches, and alternatives to improve building design, construction, and function for sustainability, comfort, and cost, by integrating green roofs, walls, and facades into residential construction and eco-specification;
3. Explore and expand on ways in which water management and site maintenance can be applied, improved and optimised to conserve resources, habitat and ecology while minimising damage, costs and waste;
4. Explain the protocols and the aims, objectives and points to be observed when undertaking inspections of domestic buildings and ways to mitigate faults and problems before they occur; and
5. Identify, define and distinguish between the roles and the activities of building clients, designers, contractors and suppliers, and their involvement within the design and construction processes.