In the context of climate change, the significance of sustainable design is of many fold. Ideally, to achieve sustainable design one should be able to trace the environmental impact from geography to individual space and vice versa. However, to make a meaningful and workable sustainable design, the designer should at least address the environmental changes that take place at human scale (˜1m) to city block scale (˜1km). This primarily involves knowledge in disciplines such as urban climatology, urban design/planning, architecture and engineering in order to address environmental issues related to layout, form, structure/construction and environmental performance. In this module, students will acquire basic knowledge related to above-mentioned disciplines and develop a sustainable design proposal incorporating suitable passive/low carbon technologies that are applicable to the context.
Advanced techniques and methodologies for analysis of local climatic conditions, site, and building proposals lead to the development of environmentally sustainable design proposals with a focus on achieving low energy buildings.
The influence of materials, form and construction on environmental performance and waste management will be examined with reference to sustainable design principles, benchmarks and precedents.
Total contact hours: 53 hours
Private study hours: 247 hours
Total study hours: 300 hours
Main assessment methods
Design Proposal and Report (100%)
Reassessment methods
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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. An ability to analyse the macro and microclimate relevant to a site and produce an appropriate sustainable environment response.
2. A systematic understanding of the impact of building orientation, form, massing and vegetation and water features on the internal and the external environment and energy use.
3. A good understanding of the differing environmental control requirements for buildings depending on building type and the climate and region in which they are located.
4. An ability to use theoretical knowledge and prediction methodologies to create appropriate sustainable design strategies.
5. An ability to understand, analyse and reflect upon their design with respect to climate change issues and sustainable standards that are relevant to a particular climate and location
6. A good understanding on the integration of sustainable materials and building systems.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced research principles, the ability to analyse source materials, and form original hypotheses.
2. Demonstrate the ability to produce sophisticated and imaginative solutions to demanding problems.
3. Demonstrate the ability to conduct project work independently or within a team of research collaborators.
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