Assessment 2:
CPM7003 Sustainable Construction
Assignment Brief 2023
Assessment Number 2
Assessment Type: (and weighting) 3000 Word Essay (50%)
Assessment Name: Life Cycle Assessment of three building typologies.
Assessment Submission Date 11/05/2025, 23:59
Learning Outcomes Assessed:
- LO3: Develop a deep understanding of ecological and conservation issues
- LO4: Develop a deep understanding of current environmental practices.
Assignment Brief:
- This assignment is an individual exercise, producing outputs to meet the detailed brief below.
- You can choose which country your building is located in – you must identify the location in your report using the what3words app
You are part of the design team delivering a Net Zero project. The Client wants the specified dwelling to be the most energy efficient building but does not specify the building materials, only the end goal of Net Zero status. The dwelling is detached with a footprint of 8m x 10m, is two storey and has a roof plane and pitch of your choice.
The Client is aware of the need for a ‘just energy transition’ and the potential impact of Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.
You have been provided with all the information (on Moodle) to design a benchmark building typology using AutoCAD, SketchUp or scale rule, pencil and paper – you choose. Once designed, you must produce a report that includes the following:
a) A benchmark (notional) building typology, with three comparison buildings.
b) A specification of materials for each of the typologies, critically discussing your choices and the differing impacts on the typologies, the environment and occupants – you must specify between 15 and 20 materials for each typology.
c) The orientation of the buildings, critically discussing your choices and the differing impacts on the typologies, the environment and occupants.
d) An evaluation of how you will influence the design team to deliver this project which will involve new ways of working (with colleague resistance anticipated), new ways of thinking, new ways of procuring and new ways of scheduling.
e) Integrate a supply chain map with your materials specification using Batch Geo or a similar programme.
f) Integrate the supply chain map with a Gannt Chart (using MS Project) and explanatory notes in a format you would use to present at a Design Team Meeting (MS PowerPoint or similar).
g) Perform a Life Cycle Assessment on all three typologies using the student access to One Click LCA
Well researched, annotated and presented data (the LCA, the specification, the Gannt Chart etc) can count for as much as 1500 out of the total 3000 words.
Marking Scheme:
Tasks
Task (a) A benchmark (notional) building typology, with three comparison buildings.
15%
Task (b) A specification of materials for each of the typologies, critically discussing your choices and the differing impacts on the typologies, the environment and occupants – you must specify between 15 and 20 materials for each typology.
15%
Task (c) The orientation of the buildings, critically discussing your choices and the differing impacts on the typologies, the environment and occupants.
15%
Task (d) An evaluation of how you will influence the design team to deliver this project which will involve new ways of working (with colleague resistance anticipated), new ways of thinking, new ways of procuring and new ways of scheduling.
15%
Task e) Integrate a supply chain map with your 15 – 20 materials specification using Batch Geo or a similar programme.
10%
Task f) Integrate the supply chain map (with the 15 – 20 materials) with a Gannt Chart (using MS Project) showing expected delivery times and explanatory notes in a format you would use to present at a Design Team Meeting (embed as an image in the final document).
10%
Task g) Perform a Life Cycle Assessment on all three typologies using the student access to One Click LCA
20%
9. Assessment Feedback
Feedback on items of assessment can be formal (such as on a signed feedback form) or informal (such as advice from a tutor in a tutorial). Feedback is therefore not just your grade or the comments written on your feedback form, it is advice you get from your tutor and sometimes your peers about how your work is progressing, how well you have done, what further actions you might take.
We recognise the value of prompt feedback on work submitted. Other than in exceptional circumstances (such as might be caused by staff illness), you can expect your assignment and examination work to be marked and feedback provided not more than 15 working days from the deadline date. However, please note that that such feedback will be provisional and unconfirmed until the Assessment Board has met and may therefore be subject to change.
Please take time you read or listen to your assessment feedback. This can be very useful in determining your strengths and key areas for development, and can therefore help you improve on future grades.
CPM7003 Sustainable Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Sustainable construction has become a fundamental pillar of modern infrastructure, aiming to balance environmental responsibility, economic viability, and social equity. CPM7003 Sustainable Construction delves into the multifaceted aspects of this discipline, fostering an advanced understanding of sustainable building practices, material innovations, regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies that shape the future of the built environment.
Redefining Sustainable Construction
Traditional construction methods have long been associated with excessive resource consumption, carbon emissions, and environmental degradation. Sustainable construction, however, seeks to mitigate these impacts by integrating renewable materials, energy-efficient designs, and circular economy principles. The CPM7003 module explores how lifecycle assessments, passive design strategies, and net-zero carbon initiatives contribute to sustainable urban development.
Innovative Materials and Technologies
The construction sector is witnessing groundbreaking advancements in sustainable materials and technologies. Self-healing concrete, engineered timber, and bio-based insulation are revolutionising building resilience and efficiency. Moreover, digital innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), modular construction, and artificial intelligence-driven design optimisation are redefining industry standards. CPM7003 critically evaluates these innovations, examining their potential to enhance resource efficiency and reduce waste.
Regulatory and Ethical Considerations
Legislation plays a crucial role in enforcing sustainable construction practices. This module provides an in-depth analysis of UK regulations, including the Future Homes Standard, BREEAM certification, and the Construction Playbook. Ethical considerations, such as sustainable procurement, fair labour practices, and the social value of construction projects, are also scrutinised to ensure that sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns.
Challenges and Barriers to Implementation
Despite progress, numerous challenges hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable construction. High initial costs, resistance to change, and skill shortages in green building techniques are among the key barriers. CPM7003 encourages critical discussions on policy interventions, financial incentives, and capacity-building strategies required to overcome these obstacles and accelerate the transition to sustainable construction.
The Future of Sustainable Construction
As the UK strives to achieve its net-zero commitments, the future of construction lies in regenerative design, smart infrastructure, and community-driven sustainability initiatives. The module explores emerging trends such as adaptive reuse, biophilic architecture, and hydrogen-powered construction machinery, offering a forward-thinking perspective on how the sector can evolve in response to climate change and urbanisation pressures.
CPM7003 Sustainable Construction equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to drive innovation and advocate for a built environment that harmonises with nature. By critically analysing contemporary issues and future possibilities, the module fosters a new generation of construction professionals committed to building a more sustainable world.
Sample Answer of CPM7003 Assignment
LO1: Critically appraise and apply current environmental legislation
Discuss how BIM Impacts on sustainability of urban United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites at risk and consider the intervention and mitigation at local, national, and international levels and the cause and effect that climate change had and/or will have on that.
The preservation of urban UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) at risk is a pressing global concern, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing urbanisation. As historical sites are subjected to environmental degradation, the need for innovative digital interventions has become more pronounced. Among these, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a critical tool, offering enhanced predictive analysis, sustainability planning, and risk mitigation strategies. This discussion critically evaluates how BIM influences the sustainability of WHS at risk, examines intervention and mitigation efforts across different governance levels, and considers the long-term impact of climate change on these irreplaceable cultural landmarks.
The Role of Environmental Legislation in Protecting Urban Heritage Sites
Environmental legislation provides the legal foundation for conservation efforts, ensuring that development does not compromise the structural or cultural integrity of WHS. In the UK, laws such as the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and The Environment Act 2021 mandate sustainable management practices. At an international level, UNESCO’s 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage obligates signatories to safeguard designated sites against environmental and human-induced threats. However, climate change, pollution, and unsustainable urban growth continue to place these sites under existential risk.
BIM serves as a technological bridge between legislative frameworks and practical application. By integrating real-time data analytics, predictive modelling, and sustainable materials selection, BIM facilitates compliance with stringent environmental standards, reducing the ecological footprint of conservation projects while maintaining architectural authenticity.
BIM and Sustainability in UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Risk
BIM introduces a multi-dimensional approach to sustainability in WHS conservation. It allows stakeholders to digitally reconstruct heritage sites, enabling precise monitoring of degradation patterns, thermal efficiency, and structural vulnerabilities. Through life-cycle assessment (LCA), BIM optimises resource allocation, minimising unnecessary interventions and reducing carbon emissions.
Continued....
