Students will explore passive means of environmental control to achieve comfort in different climates. Vernacular precedents of passive design will be examined and distinguished from the cultural influences on design in different cultures. The concept of exterior and interior climates will be critically investigated and students will develop a good understanding of the microclimate created by cities, landscapes, groups of building and individual structures. The influence of materials, form and construction on environmental performance will be examined with reference to precedents and benchmarks. Specific techniques and methodologies for climate analysis and environmental design will be learned and applied.
The assignment concerns the development of environmental design strategies that are to be integrated appropriately into the design work of the concurrent module Architecture and Landscape. Students will demonstrate how they have provided for fresh air to move through the main building of Architecture and Landscape, as well as how they have exploited passive resources for cooling, temperature control, solar gain and the control of solar gain, both in the summer and winter and for the daytime and night-time. The integration of these into the main building of Architecture and Landscape will take heed of the functions of the spaces and their disposition and be arranged for good efficacy. Students will concisely describe the rationale of the environmental strategies and explain the operation of any technology used in realizing these strategies and illustrate this with appropriate plans and cross-sections.
Total contact hours: 21 hours
Private study hours: 129 hours
Total study hours: 150 hours
Main assessment methods
Technology and Environment Report (Environmental Strategies) (100%)
Reassessment methods
Like for like.
Indicative Reading List
Givoni, B. (1981). Man, climate and architecture. Hoboken NJ: John Wiley.
Littlefair, P. (2011). Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: a guide to good practice. Watford: BRE.
Oke, T. R. (1987). Boundary Layer Climates. London; New York: Routledge.
Szokolay, S. V. (2004, 2005). Introduction to architectural science: the basis of sustainable design. Oxford: Architectural Press.
Thomas, R. (3rd Ed, 2006). Environmental design: an introduction for architects and engineers. London: Taylor and Francis.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to demonstrate:
1 A reasonable knowledge of the need to critically review precedents relevant to the function, organisation and technological strategy of design proposals
2 A reasonable knowledge of the investigation, critical appraisal and selection of alternative structural, constructional and material systems relevant to architectural design
3 A reasonable knowledge of strategies for building construction, and ability to integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction techniques
4 A critical knowledge of the physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems, and the environmental impact of specification choices
5 A reasonable knowledge of the principals associated with designing optimum visual, thermal and acoustic environments
6 A reasonable knowledge of the systems for environmental comfort realised within relevant precepts of sustainable design
7 A reasonable knowledge of the strategies for building services, and ability to integrate these in a design project
8 The necessary skills to prepare analytical and detailed technical drawings accurately illustrating environmental design solutions
9 An ability to apply the principles of evidence-based design to the evaluation of environmental design strategies
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to demonstrate:
1 An ability to generate design proposals using understanding of a body of knowledge, some at the current boundaries of professional practice and the academic
discipline of architecture
2 An ability to understand the alternative materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural design and construction
3 Research and analytical skills
4 Ability to produce reports which are clear, analytical and logical covering a range of technical issues and include appropriate illustrations
5 An ability to critically evaluate your own ideas in the context of learning
6 An awareness of the role of research in overcoming knowledge gaps
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