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Sustainable Design for Houses and Landscapes unit (KDA102)

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Unit year 2026

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2027 Unit information is now available. View 2027 unit information

Location: Online

This unit is subject to an enrolment quota:  Semester 1 (500) and Semester 2 (500)

Introduction

This unit will build on your practical knowledge of sustainable design for houses, expanding your thinking to houses within landscapes - both natural and constructed - and interacting with climate, biodiversity, human health and urban and regional food systems. You will explore systems-based design approaches including regenerative design, resilience thinking, permaculture principles and biophilic design that will enable you to better integrate your house within wider living systems and communities. Through innovative, holistic precedent analysis, self-directed field study and structured design exercises, you will devise practical strategies to create, for example, adaptive microclimates around your house, a home-based food system, and conditions for improved backyard biodiversity, while also targeting well-being and bushfire design awareness. With these systems-based perspectives, you will likely see numerous new opportunities for action at home that contribute to ecological restoration and the well-being of your household and community. The unit comprises five modules: 1. Housing and landscapes - the bigger picture 2. Beyond sustainable design for houses 3. Climate - designing and adapting 4. Designing for health and well-being 5. Systems, materials and components.

Summary

Unit name Sustainable Design for Houses and Landscapes
Unit code KDA102
Credit points 12.5
College/School Sciences and Engineering
School of Architecture and Design
Discipline Architecture & Design
Coordinator Associate Professor Ceridwen Owen
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026
Semester 2 5/7/2026 27/7/2026 30/8/2026 24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Relate design for houses and landscapes to broader systems and principles of sustainability.
  • Identify the implications of climate and climate change for the design of houses and landscapes at the macro and micro scale.
  • Propose a sustainable design project and strategies that address identified problems, risks and opportunities for a particular housing and landscape context.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
040101 $1,192.00 $1,192.00 not applicable $2,919.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KDA101

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

This unit is offered fully on-line and asynchronous.

AssessmentAT1 Quizzes (20%)|AT2 Visual Field Report (30%)|AT3 Design Project (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.