TAS – Stage 5

Hi Year 10,

Below are some tasks that will help you get started researching different aspects of your project. These must all be completed as part of your research.

1. www.basix.nsw.gov.au – building sustainability regulations for NSW

• What is the aim of the BASIX regulations?
• How do new home designs meet the BASIX regulations?
• Extension question: what is flaw or limitation of the BASIX benchmarking system?

www.yourhome.gov.au – A wonderful resource by the Australian Government with information about sustainable building in Australia

2. Locate information relevant to passive solar design in our climate region

3.  Mini Case Studies: Find a minimum of 5 homes that feature passive solar design and/or other sustainable building features that interest you. (yourhome.gov has case studies to start you off)

• What are the main features?
• How has the house design been adapted to suit the climate?
• Include images (if possible) of the houses

4. What are the sun angles for the Southern Highlands in summer and winter?

Record your findings in a Word document and make sure all work is in your own words (no plagiarism).

This research is due: Friday week 6

Good luck!
Ms B

Dear Year 10,

As a follow up to the video you watched on sustainable forestry you will need to consolidate your knowledge of this issue and the role of the FSC. 

Go to www.fsc.org and answer the following questions in your own words in your books.

1. What does FSC stand for?
2. What does the FSC do?
3. Why is their work important?
4. Sketch the FSC logo –discuss the symbols you can see and their meaning in relation to the council.
5. Why is it important for the FSC to have strong branding with their logo?
6. What principles does the FSC use when assessing and certifying forestry operations? (hint: look in the FSC fact sheets)
7. Why is it important for designers to be aware of ethical and sustainability issues such as sustainable forestry?
8. How does this new awareness affect your choices as a designer?

Forest Stewardship Council

Dear Year 10,

As part of your design process you need to research the materials you are going to be working with.

This is due: Friday week 7

Task:

Research the properties of radianta pine and at least three other woods, and other factors relating to the wood that might impact its use in your project.

This is to be presented using the format given below – which you should all be familiar with from science experiments.

Aim: To learn about the properties of different woods in order to find the most appropriate wood(s) for your Case Study design.

Method:

• Use a variety of sources- books, magazines & the internet to find out about the properties of wood and others factors regarding the woods that you will need to consider.

• List the websites and books you used to complete your research. (It does not need to be presented as a full bibliography)

Results

• Present your research in a table to help you compare the properties and other factors you will need to consider when choosing your wood.

Conclusion:

• based on the results of your research you will need to decide which wood you will use and write a paragraph justifying your choice, referring back to your research results to support your decision.

Hi year 9,

As part of your research and investigation, you will need to look at existing designs of cardboard furniture. Complete the following activity and include it in your portfolio.

Choose four designs and examine the ways in which the designers have exploited the properties of cardboard to create strong furniture. Specifically look at:

• Structures and shapes used
• Methods of joining
• How the ‘grain’ of the cardboard (the direction of the corrugation) is used

Make sure you choose designs and techniques that interest you and which you think will influence your own design.

Here are some sites to get you started:

www.designboom.com/cardboard.html

www.treehugger.com – Search for cardboard furniture

http://www.returdesign.se/

www.valcartonne.com/REALISATIONS.htm

http://www.compagnie-bleuzen.com/vignette1.htm

You need to include images of the designs that you have researched or that have inspired you.