Studio 1C: Sustainable Building - ARCH4006

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Module delivery information

Location Term Level1 Credits (ECTS)2 Current Convenor3 2026 to 2027
Canterbury
Summer Term 4 20 (10) Richard Watkins checkmark-circle

Overview

What impact does architecture have on our environment? In the context of the Climate Crisis, how can architects design a sustainable future, promoting clean energy consumption and ethical material sourcing?
In this module, you will be consider the role that architects and designers can adopt in supporting a sustainable, ethical approach to their work. Developing the knowledge, skills and experience you have acquired in the autumn and spring terms, you will design a small, public building, incorporating a sustainable approach throughout.
Through a series of lectures you will be introduced to the notion of the ‘building envelope’, developing an understanding of important aspects, such as thermal environment, human comfort, artificial light, and natural ventilation, etc. You will explore these technical and environmental aspects in the context of your design project, providing you with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the complexities of technical integration in architecture at a small scale.

Details

Contact hours

Lectures 12
Design Tutorials 36
Technology Seminars 6
Reviews 6

Method of assessment

15 minutes plus presentation slides Sustainability Strategy. Assessment Details: Individual presentation worth 25%.
500 words Sustainability Report. Assessment Details: Technical report on the environmental strategies used in the building to improve its sustainability. worth 25%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
1 x 20-min Individual presentation of final design Final design project. Assessment Details: Design scheme presentation worth 50%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.

Reassessment Method: Like-for-like for each component (online submissions only)

Indicative reading

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Use a developed range of communication techniques to illustrate and explain an understanding of spatial and environmental design concepts (B1, B2, B11, B15)
2. Make a coherent design proposal in terms of aesthetic and technical resolution (A2, A3, B4)
3. Apply a knowledge of the physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems, and the environmental impact of specification choices (A11, A12)
4. Apply an awareness of the principles associated with designing optimum visual, thermal, ventilation and acoustic environments (A11)
5. Reflect on your work, critically appraising the process of development (C4, C5)

Notes

  1. Credit level 4. Certificate level module usually taken in the first stage of an undergraduate degree.
  2. ECTS credits are recognised throughout the EU and allow you to transfer credit easily from one university to another.
  3. The named convenor is the convenor for the current academic session.
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