New USYD course to create industry experts

New USYD course to create industry expertsIn 2015, The University of Sydney will introduce a new postgraduate course centred on high-performance buildings: the Master of Architectural Sciences (High Performing Buildings) is the first course of its kind in Australia.The new course is designed to create a new type of property professional: an expert with specialist skills in optimising new and existing buildings to ensure the design suits their intended purpose.A high-performance building is one that is aesthetically and environmentally designed in such a way that it provides optimum indoor comfort for the occupants over its lifetime while continuing to achieve high operational efficiencies with regard to the use of water and energy (including carbon), and the production of waste. Financially, a high-performance building needs to provide strong return on investment on an ongoing basis.A spokesperson for the university said the course will equip industry professionals with the skills needed to design corporate and residential buildings that ensure maximum return on investment, operational efficiencies, and optimal health and comfort. According to the university, high-performance buildings are of increasing importance, given that the world’s urbanised population is growing and buildings continue to consume 40 per cent of our total energy costs. Arguably the biggest challenge for today’s large building designers lies in creating structures that consume less energy and cost less to maintain but are also healthy, comfortable and productive environments in which to live and work.Key adviser on the new program’s framework Ashak Nathwani, an Honorary Associate of and senior lecturer in Architectural Science at the university, said adoption of high-performance building principles means a property investment can continue to return high yields on an ongoing basis well after the building has been constructed.”A combination of sustainability and green engineering, together with optimum operational facilities management and understanding of the property economics, constitute the right recipe for a high-performing building,” he said.High-performance building principles can be applied to developments across the sector, including commercial office, high-rise residential, medical and aged-care, retail, and educational, entertainment or leisure complex.To find out more about the course, visit http://sydney.edu.au/architecture/programs_of_study/postgraduate/high_performance_buildings.shtml