Unit 51 Advanced Construction Development & Prototyping Assignment Brief
| Qualification | Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals Construction |
| Unit Number | 51 |
| Unit Title | Advanced Construction Development & Prototyping |
| Unit code | J/618/8128 |
| Unit level | 5 |
| Credit value | 30 |
Introduction
Prototypes, whether full scale, models or components of a system, provide means by which design and manufacturing processes can be tested and evaluated. Through the making of prototypes, design, technical and cost issues can be resolved while at the same time evaluating aesthetic characteristics and market factors.
The rise of Modern Methods of Construction, particularly off-site approaches, has increased the need and value of prototyping in construction. Whether developing a panelised system, a volumetric approach or prefabricated units, the success of a manufactured component relies on its design and production being controlled and predictable. To achieve the necessary level of precision and reliability, prototypes are used to refine the outcome and optimise processes.
This unit supports students in bringing together their design, technical and process knowledge in the development of prototypes for construction using modern methods.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
LO1 Evaluate a design proposition to identify prototyping opportunities
LO2 Develop prototypes for a manufactured construction solution through iterative testing
LO3 Create a final prototype through the integration of resolved component, assembly and system solutions
LO4 Present an off-site manufacturing solution based on prototype development and evaluation.
Assignment Task
LO1 Evaluate a design proposition to identify prototyping opportunities
- Design evaluation
- Typology
- Material
- Method of production
- Design aims
- Stakeholder requirements
- Adaptability/customisation (e.g., deconstructability, long life, ‘loose fit’)
- Prototypes
- Scale (e.g., model, full-scale)
- Component prototype
- Assembly prototypes
- System prototypes
LO2 Develop prototypes for a manufactured construction solution through iterative testing
- Testing types
- Performance testing (e.g., air infiltration, water ingress, weathering, energy efficiency, passive strategies, carbon emissions)
- Safety testing (e.g., fire retardant, flame spread, fire compartmentation, means of escape, structural integrity.)
- Fault-finding
- Operational testing
- Test rigs
- Testing centres
- Test reporting
- Parameters
- Process
- Results
- Actions
LO3 Create a final prototype through the integration of resolved component, assembly and system solutions
- Final prototype
- Design modifications
- Manufacturing modifications
- Materials
- Components
- Assemblies
- Systems
- Production model
- Volume production
- Material management
- Sustainability
LO4 Present an off-site manufacturing solution based on prototype development and evaluation
- Solution
- Final design
- Solution development process (e.g., prototyping process, testing process)
- Manufacturing features
- Profit (e.g., development cost vs return on cost)
- Presenting solution
- Prototype scale (e.g., model vs full-scale, mock-up vs functional)
- Reports/results (e.g., cost reports, testing reports, etc.)
- Market (e.g., solution to meet market demand, market testing, consumer testing)
- Presentation
- Audience (e.g., technical, professional, financial, stakeholder)
- Format (e.g., written report, audio-visual, etc.)
- Supporting/defending (e.g., reference material, research, design/testing)
- Feedback/reflection
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO1 Evaluate a design proposition to identify prototyping opportunities | D1 Critically analyse the results of testing different forms of prototype to refine design propositions and technical developments. | |
| P1 Evaluate a design proposition to determine areas for manufacturing research.
P2 Identify prototyping opportunities, related to a design proposition, to test manufacturing potential. |
M1 Analyse the potential benefits of different forms of prototyping in relation to a design proposition. | |
| LO2 Develop prototypes for a manufactured construction solution through iterative testing | ||
| P3 Develop different forms of prototype to test specific features of a design and manufacturing solution.
P4 Iteratively test different forms of prototype to determine levels of performance, safety and operation. |
M2 Prepare detailed reports on the results of prototyping and testing to determine actions for iterative development and re-testing. | |
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO3 Create a final prototype through the integration of resolved component, assembly and system solutions | D2 Critically evaluate the potential success of a manufacturing solution, based on the data gathered through prototyping and testing components, assemblies and systems. | |
| P5 Create a final prototype building, based on development prototypes.
P6 Discuss the design modifications resulting from prototyping and testing. |
M3 Analyse the manufacturing modifications required for a final building prototype to be achieved through a specific production model. | |
| LO4 Present an off-site manufacturing solution based on prototype development and evaluation | ||
| P7 Present a detailed solution for the manufacture of a given building, component or system.
P8 Integrate cost and market information into a manufacturing solution. |
M4 Justify a manufacturing solution, based on prototype, research, reporting and data. | |
Recommended Resources
Print resources
CIBSE (2006), Environmental Design, CIBSE
FAIRHEAD, R. (2014), Information Exchanges, Riba Publications Limited
LYONS, A. (2014), Materials for Architects and Builders, Routledge
MCDONOUGH, W., BRAUNGART, M. (2010), Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, North Point Press
MARSHALL, D., WORTHING, D., DANN, N., HEATH, R. (2013), The Construction of Houses, Taylor & Francis
MARSHALL, D., WORTHING, D., HEATH, R. (2013), Understanding Housing Defects, Taylor & Francis
RILEY, M., COTGRAVE, A., HOWARD, C. (2008), House Construction, Palgrave Macmillan
RILEY, M., COTGRAVE, A. (2009), Construction Technology 2: Industrial and Commercial Building, Macmillan International Higher Education
SINOPOLI, J. (2009), Smart Buildings Systems for Architects, Owners and Builders, Butterworth-Heinemann
Links
This unit links to the following related units:
- Unit 1: Construction Design Project (Pearson-set)
- Unit 4001CE: Construction Design Project Civil Engineering (Pearson-set)
- Unit 2: Construction Technology
- Unit 6: Digital Applications for Construction Information
- Unit 13: Building Information Modelling
- Unit 24: Principles of Off-site Construction
- Unit 26: Digital Applications for Building Information Modelling
- Unit 47: Advanced Building Information Modelling
- Unit 52: Advanced Housing Design & Specification
- Unit 53: Advanced Off-site Construction
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