The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

plan and organise the production of design drawings to meet planning approval requirements

integrate expert and specialist input from related professionals engaged to inform the development of the drawings

produce sets of building design drawings and supporting information for at least three different Type A projects that meet quality requirements and are completed within given timelines

consult with clients, including:

gaining feedback

negotiating and finalising adjustments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit:

must be in the context of the work environment

may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

must meet relevant compliance requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to:

suitable assessment venue and equipment

suitable simulated or real opportunities and resources to demonstrate competence

assessment instruments.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidates required knowledge for the unit

observed, documented and/or firsthand testimonial evidence of the candidates

implementation of appropriate procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of the required outcomes

identification of the relevant information and scope of the work required to meet the required outcomes

identification of viable options and the selection of options that best meet the required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

administration and management skills to:

manage documents

lead the building of design team and related project professionals

manage time, including planning and prioritising work

coordinate work across a range of disciplines

analytical and problem-solving skills to:

develop innovative ideas and designs

select cost-effective products and materials that contribute to sustainable development

test and analyse compliance of design solutions with performance standards

work out optimum compliant and cost-effective design solutions

interpersonal skills to interact with clients and other stakeholders, including planning and regulatory personnel and technical experts

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with clients and contacts

estimate costs

interpret and apply complex information, including legislation, regulations, and codes and standards

present design options to clients

technical skills to:

produce accurate design documentation

apply compliance requirements, including drawing standards

use hand drawing techniques

design from a brief

plan and carry out design, including visualising spaces, form, shapes and light

use design tools

technology skills to use information technology and relevant software

Required knowledge

architectural styles and terminology

BCA requirements that apply to Type A constructions

basic principles of structural engineering

building designers’ duty of care to ensure quality and safety of designs

building life cycles, including hazards of site, materials, construction practices and building use over time

contextual and site constraints

conventional and sustainable construction materials and methods, including their application, behaviour, characteristics, performance and interactions with other materials

design development and approval processes and implications of changes to design at each stage

design drawing and representation methods

legislation, codes and standards relevant to sustainable design requirements for small-scale building design projects

organisational scope of business, service levels and fees

planning processes and requirements

pricing of resources

principles of sustainable design

scientific and social principles of human interactions with the built environment

use of design software and systems that may include application of 3-D modelling

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Type A constructions defined by the BCA are projects that are:

of 3 storeys for Class 2, 3 and 9 buildings

of 4 or more storeys for Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 buildings.

Note: It is essential to refer to current BCA documentation to ensure accuracy of definitions and scopes.

Scope and nature may include:

residential projects, such as:

additions and renovations

heritage restoration

new buildings

commercial and industrial projects, such as:

car parks

factories

laboratories

motels

offices

restaurants

retail and service outlets

warehouses.

Design drawings may include:

drawings produced by building designers and technical experts

elevations

plans, including:

contour

demolition

floor

framing

roof

sections

site analyses

landscape designs

services layout

use 3-D drawing technologies.

Relevant authorities may include:

local council planning department

federal, state or territory government departments for:

energy

environment

heritage

infrastructure

services

regulatory authorities in country of project location.

Compliance requirements may include:

Australian standards

BCA

codes and standards applicable:

at project locations

in particular conditions

legislation, regulations and local by-laws relating to:

conservation

construction materials and methods

energy

environment

fire resistance

heritage

OHS

planning

water

local authority planning schemes.

Professionals and technical experts may include:

access consultants

acoustics engineers and professionals

bushfire management professionals

construction contractors

civil engineers

energy efficiency experts

fire systems designers and engineers

hydraulic engineers

landscape designers

lighting specialists

mechanical services engineers

OHS experts

plumbing and drainage professionals

quantity surveyors

service contractors

soil testing or geo-technical engineers and experts

structural engineers

surveyors.

Integration of input across disciplines and by differing professionals and team members may be:

achieved by a range of techniques, including:

team meetings

sharing of paper-based drawings and specifications

sharing and updating of drawings using building information models (BIM) technology.

Factors contributing to spatial requirements and relationships may include:

air circulation and user movement patterns

anthropometrics

building occupancy and functions

ergonomics

landscaping

massing

scale transition.

Users may include:

maintenance and service personnel

occupants

visitors

users in subsequent life cycle stages of buildings.

Health and safety documentation for the building may include:

residual risk register

information relating to:

construction materials and methods

location of services and machinery

warranties.

Optimum sustainable construction materials and methodsmay include:

cost-effective sustainable design solutions

latest sustainable design technologies

locally available sustainable construction materials.

Systems for sustainable water use may include:

black water systems

bladder storage

filter beds

grey water systems

rainwater tanks

run-off retention.

Energy-efficient design principles may include:

appliance selection

building location and orientation

low energy lighting

solar hot water systems

star rated appliances

window coverings and glazing.

Renewable energy sourcesmay include:

biomass energy

geothermal energy

hydroelectric energy

solar energy

wind energy.

Assessment methods used by the planning authority to ensure compliance with the BCA may include:

application of A2.2 of the BCA, which allows the following evidence (in some cases subject to conditions) to be submitted in support of a proposal that a material, form of construction or design meets a performance requirement or a deemed-to-satisfy provision:

areport from a registered testing authority

acurrent certificate of accreditation or certificate of conformity

acertificate from a professional engineer

acurrent certificate issued by a product certification body that has been accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ)

any other form of documentary evidence that adequately demonstrates suitability for use

verification methods that may include:

calculations using analytical methods or mathematical models

tests using a technical operation either on site or in a laboratory to directly measure one or more performance criteria of a given solution.

Supporting information to supplement the plans and specifications may include:

alternative solutions for performance requirements of the BCA

copies of compliance certificates relied upon

copies of other documentary evidence relied upon

fire safety measures and their fire resistance levels and ratings

full details of the assessment methods used to establish compliance with the performance requirements.