Objective:
To provide access for teachers to a range of resources that support Years 7-9 Rich Task #3: The Built Environment: Designing a Structure. Four major topics have been identified:
Description:
This Rich Task requires students to 'identify a client's needs and take these and other factors into account in preparing a design brief for a structure'. While it is relatively easy to find resources to support the design aspect of this task, identifying a client is something that must be done at the school or individual level, and care should be taken to ensure the 'client' is sufficiently real to provide a challenge. Perhaps a structure was identified as a result of the Years 7-9 Rich Task #2: Improving Wellbeing in the Community.
This list provides a starting point for resources to support Years 7-9 Rich Task #3: The Built Environment: Designing a Structure. Resources have been grouped under the following headings:
These links open in new browser windows.
Professional associations, community members or organisations able to provide expert information and advice on topics related to the Rich Task.
Building Designers' Association of Queensland (BDAQ)
http://www.bdaq.com.au/ 
This association was formed in 1990 to draw together people involved in the design of buildings, including those previously called 'draftsmen', who, the Association claims, design more than eighty percent of the buildings submitted to local councils in Queensland. The site lists branches in all provincial areas, and these could provide help and advice for schools on aspects of design of the structure.
Building Services Authority Queensland
http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/
This government body regulates the building industry in Queensland, ensuring that standards are met and that disputes between builders and contractors are quickly remedied. Students will find the Building Tips section helpful in designing their structure.
Brisbane City Council
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
This site contains a number of sections which schools will find useful in deciding on a structure to design. Searching using 'building' brought up Home renovations guide , which gives advice on building underneath, restorations, internal alterations and waterproofing and the like; Your home and garden , with topics like Rubbish & recycling, Your yard and Keeping pets. Other councils may provide similar services.
Enertia ® Building Systems
http://www.enertia.com/
This company designs and builds houses that have less impact on the environment than traditional houses. The site contains extensive scientific, environmental and building information of designing and constructing environmentally friendly houses. Students will appreciate the photos of construction for a house and the diagrams of scientific principles involved.
Environmentally responsible house requires thoughtful choices
http://www.oikos.com/esb/40/ecohouse.html
This is an example of an environmental house built to create least damage to the environment. The article shows the difficulties involved in finding suitable materials and it will give students some ideas about the aspects to be considered, air quality, energy efficiency, even though the house was built in a different climate.
Green Roads: Building environmentally friendly, low maintenance rural roads through local participation
http://www.mtnforum.org/resources/library/klatf00a.htm
This is a report on the use of local materials and labour in Nepal to construct rural roads, 'green roads', to open up areas with poor access to markets. Students will see the value of considering all aspects of building, including 'ownership' by the users.
Richmond Valley Council planning reports
http://www.richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/planning/
This site contains several 'Development Control' plans, which students will find useful for discovering how councils' building regulations work. 'Bed and breakfast establishments' for example, contains provisions such as: Provision for Escape: There must be adequate provision for escape in the event of fire or other emergency from the building to a place of safety.
Building-Cost.net - free residential building cost calculator
http://www.building-cost.net/
This site contains an online costing calculator for estimating the cost of replacing an existing home or building a new one. While the costs and building designs are for the United States, students using the calculator could gain a reasonable understanding of the considerations necessary in constructing a house anywhere.
CSIRO Built Environment: Online brochures
http://www.dbce.csiro.au/brochures/
This extensive site contains recent developments in materials and testing aspects of the built environment. Teachers may find it useful to show students different facets of building practice, such as acoustic evaluation of houses in Sydney which are the most affected by aircraft noise.
The Technology course advice professional development support kit
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/pd/curric/tech/pdf/Techca_.pdf (new window) 
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This Victorian Department of Education document contains information on design briefs for teachers of lower secondary school level. It gives a concise definition of a design brief, a scenario and steps for the teacher to take in helping students fulfil the requirements of a design brief.
Comprising non-website resources available from a variety of sources.
DIXON, Malcolm 1993, Building materials, Hove: Wayland.
A wide range of building materials is covered in this book from the Exploring materials series. Metals, glass, cement, concrete, timber and stonework are included together with effects of weathering on these materials. The uses of plaster and plasterboard and of plastic are also discussed as well as insulation.
THOMAS, Ron; HERRAN, Joe 2001, Housing, South Yarra, Victoria: Macmillan.
From Aboriginal shelters to colonial mansions, Australia's early housing varied as much as modern. This volume describes the tents that early settlers and convicts used, slab huts, government house, Queenslanders, plastic houses and an 'earthship', made from recycled materials.
WILKINSON, Philip; BULLER, Laura (ed) 1996, Super structures, Pymble, NSW: Harper Collins.
Using CAD screens, plans, diagrams, sketches, models and photographs, the author explores structures that have presented 'huge technological challenges'. The book discusses the specialists involved in design and construction and the historical developments that have led to contemporary building styles and processes.
Studies of Society and Environment video bibliography: Built environment
http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/curriculum_exchange/teachers/sose/bibs/vb_builtenv.htm 
This bibliography of videos covering the built environment topic are available from the AccessEd Video Library.
Buildings and their materials. A10837108
Using the format of accessing a database, this program, divided into sections, looks at the evolution of buildings from caves to skyscrapers. Traces the connection between building materials and construction design, climatic environmental and location conditions. Describes the properties of wood, brick, steel and concrete and their suitability in specific constructions.
Graphic design. A1080529X
The scope and purpose of graphic design are explained through examples and interviews with a lecturer, a student, art directors, graphic designers and a freelance illustrator. Areas shown include advertising, packaging, animation, high-tech computer designing, publications and television.
AccessEd Video Library online catalogue
http://nslib.qed.qld.gov.au/oau-fvlib/webinqu2.dll?
Video resources may be borrowed from the AccessEd Video Library by Queensland teachers who are registered borrowers.
denotes sites available to AccessClub
users only.
Other resources for Years 7-9 Rich Task #3: The Built Environment: Designing a Structure may be found by searching the Curriculum
Exchange collections
, the Library Services collections
or the Internet. The following criteria listed under Keywords and/or Subject are
suggested search terms:
Curriculum level:
Upper primary; Lower secondary
Audience:
Teacher; Student
Subject:
Architecture; Building; Buildings; Built environment; Building design; Building materials; Design; Design requirements; Environment; Environmental influences; Structural design; Construction costs; Cost estimates; Technology
Dewey number:
721
Source:
New Basics Project, Education Queensland
April 2002
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