CONS5003 Environment Assessment 1 2026 | Open Polytechnic NZ

CONS5003 Environment Assessment 1

Weighting

25%

Learning outcomes

1 Identify implications of site limitations, including evaluation of existing buildings.
2 Analyse the environmental impact of design and construction techniques.
3 Evaluate examples of sustainable design and construction practice.

Instructions

Complete and submit your assessment according to the Open Polytechnic's Assessments webpage. This includes information on academic integrity, formatting, word limits and referencing.

• Include your name, student number and the assessment number.
• Number your pages.
• Ensure that your ideas are appropriately referenced using APA7 citation.

Submission

• Submit your assessment in one file.
• Submit your work through your iQualify course.
• Emailed assessments will not be accepted.

You will receive an automated notice advising you of your successful submission.
By submitting your assessment, you confirm that it is your own, original work.

General instructions

When considering sustainable development, the evaluation of a site for construction can consider the need for minimising environmental impacts, optimising resource utilisation, combatting climate change, bolstering resilience and fostering societal well-being.
In the CONS5003 pre-assessment task, you selected an existing property that met the specific criteria listed below. You will now investigate the site you selected to complete this first assessment.
Remember to use relevant photographs, maps, plans, diagrams and drawings for the assessment, accompanied by descriptive captions referencing image sources. If, at any time, you are unsure how to proceed, contact your tutor for advice.

Important

All photographs of the site - including both exterior and interior views of the building - must be your own original work.

You are not permitted to use third-party images, such as those sourced from real estate websites or associated platforms.

Please ensure your submission complies with this requirement.

Health and safety

In the completion of any aspect of this course or its assessments, you are not to access the roof, the ceiling space/attic or under the house. Also, you must not use ladders for any inspection.

The site

In the pre-assessment task, you chose a property to complete this assessment, along with Assessments 2 and 3. As a reminder, your site must meet the following conditions:

• The site is within a town or city (not rural) and approximately 1000 m2.
• The house platform is flat, and the site does not have a fall of over 3 m.
• The house must be on a standalone site/section.
• The existing house is more than 10 years old.
• The house is not too complex or extensive.

The site and house have not been previously assessed for extensive refurbishment. You must have repeated physical access to the property and have permission to take photos.

Support your answers with relevant photographs, technical drawings, illustrations, maps and sketches. Ensure that any images are accurately titled or captioned.

Answer format for following parts

Write your answers for the tasks that follow in a report format.

A report format will cover the following:

Part B: Site evaluation

Analyse the site you have chosen and evaluate the potential for sustainable development and any environmental or site limitations that are present. Analyse and discuss the attributes of the site for sustainable development, including:

• the path of the sun on the site in relation to the latitude and seasons
  the site aspect and potential for solar energy exploitation
• the effect of topography, surrounding buildings and vegetation
• the climate of the region and the specific microclimate of the site
• the physical limitations of the site for environmental management during construction operations.
  Use photographs, plans, maps and/or diagrams to support your answer.
  (Word count guideline: 250-300 words)
  (20 marks)

Part C: The impact of the building on the natural environment

Discuss the design of your chosen house and its impact on the natural environment. Use photographs, plans, maps and/or diagrams to support your answer.

You could discuss some of the following aspects:

• resource consumption: energy and water use
  ·use of non-renewables in the construction materials
• habitat disruption: habitat loss, biodiversity, invasive species, etc.
• stormwater runoff: impervious surfaces, potential for contamination, etc.
  (Word count guideline: 200-250 words) (20 marks)

Part D: The response of the building design to the climate and the natural environment

Consider the current building and how well the design suits the natural environment of the site. Use photographs, plans, maps and/or diagrams to support your answer.

Your discussion should consider:

• how the current house design captures, harnesses and controls solar energy
  current comfort levels of the building in terms of heating and cooling
• how the current house design responds to the microclimate of the site, including exposure and shelter from prevailing weather
  how the house design controls internal humidity and contributes to human comfort levels.
  (Word count guideline: 250-300 words) (25 marks)

Part E: Design improvements to enhance sustainable practices

Now that you have evaluated the limitations of the site and the current house, report on how aspects of the design could be improved to enhance the sustainable aspects of the house, reduce environmental impact and increase occupier comfort. Use photographs, plans, maps and/or diagrams to support your answer.

Your report on the design improvements could discuss some of the following aspects:

• how the house could use the potential for solar gain better
• the response of the design to the topography and microclimate of the site
• retrofit solutions to enhance the thermal performance of the structure and improve the energy efficiency of the home
• solutions to control internal humidity and air quality
  how water (rainwater, stormwater and/or greywater) could be controlled and utilised on site.
  (Word count guideline: 200-250 words) (20 marks)

Formatting, references and diagrams

• All sources of information must be accurately cited using APA7 citation. A list of references must be provided at the end of your report.
• Ensure that you support your answers with relevant technical drawings, plans, maps, illustrations, photographs, etc. Any images must have accurate titles and/or
  captions.
  (Formatting, references and diagrams total: 10 marks)