Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ARCH9082: Conservation of Traditional Buildings

Intensive October - November, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Conservation of Traditional Buildings is a practically focused introduction to the techniques and bodies of knowledge essential to conserving traditional buildings and their materials. Expert conservation architects and tradespeople will describe techniques in conservation and lead practical demonstrations of building and conservation techniques. Students will document and investigate a traditional building by undertaking a recording and condition assessment. In the unit we will consider the causes and forms of decay that compromise buildings and their materials and discuss appropriate modes of intervention. By the end of the unit you will be familiar with: the composition of mortars and renders; the sources and qualities of common building stone; basic characteristics of traditional carpentry among other key techniques and materials.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Cameron Logan, cameron.logan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Cameron Logan, cameron.logan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 November 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Recording and condition assessment
Drawings and annotated condition report
50% Week -03
Due date: 28 Nov 2024 at 23:00
20 - 30 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Conservation analysis
Analytical report
50% Week -05
Due date: 10 Dec 2023 at 23:00
2500 Words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The assessments are focused on applyig knowledge developed in the unit in a practical situation.

  • The first task, attempted in small groups, requirees careful observation and documentation of a field work site.
  • The second assessment task is an indiviudal piece of writing that builds on the work done in assessment task one and requires each student to anlyse the conservation options that confront the onwer or manager of their chosen place. This piece of work should assist this “client” to understand better the situation and give them the tools they would need to make meaningful decisions about conservation actions. 
  • More detailed information can be found on the unit’s Canvas page

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Introduction: Tradition and Traditionalism; The Unit of Study; Working Together (Cameron Logan) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Stonework Conservation (Joy Singh) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Sustainable Heritage: Issues and Guidance (Steven Barry) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Non-Destructive Testing for Heritage Conservation: Timber (Olivia Britt) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Introducing the Site and its buildings: Coppabella Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Lime Mortars and Plaster (David Young) Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week -02 Field documentation Exercise - Coppabella Station Field trip (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week -03 Timber Buildings and their Conservation (Alan Croaker) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 01 Visit to G&C Waller & Sons, joinery shop in Sutherland Field trip (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Historic Glass and its Conservation (Sean Hardingham) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Conservation Analysis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Small group consultation about Conservation Analysis Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the behaviour of a range of traditional building materials
  • LO2. recognise threats to building materials from moisture, wind, biological and chemical attack and other forces that lead to deterioration;
  • LO3. record a simple building in drawings and photographs
  • LO4. document and assess the condition of the fabric of a building
  • LO5. develop an approach to conserving the fabric of a building.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No major changes have been made to this unit as a result of feedback from 2019.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.