Examination arrangement

Course content

Inside the Climate and Built forms course students are trained in the architectural design of climate adapted buildings as a meaningful process based on the understanding of the natural environment constraints and resources.

Theory lectures - within course AAR4832 - provide knowledge of climate analysis, architectural design of bio-climatic buildings, environmental performance analyses, energy modeling and building tectonics (up to passive house standards). To most lectures corresponds a laboratory in course AAR4532 where students develop their abilities in computer based energy modeling (through the use of simulation tools).

A few testing analogue tools in the design studio makes also it possible to test physical models in relation to different solar and wind conditions. Students are therefore able to define innovative design processes where the use of analogue and digital tools can be customized for the development of specific building concepts. Main focus of the course is the environmental performance of climate adaptive buildings and their ability to passively create comfortable internal conditions. Thus energy.

This design course builds onto and is connected to the same semester offering AAR4832 which is a prerequisite for this course.

The design process provides student with the opportunity to integrate design skills, scientific knowledge and critical reflection.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: Design process, contextual analysis, climate analysis, building morphology, environmental programming, passive solar heating systems, natural ventilation strategies, fundamentals of daylight, tectonics detailing, green building concepts.

Skills: Design of climate adaptive buildings within a broader contextual response, command of software and simulation tools for analysing of climatic data, environmental performance and energy modelling, identify passive strategies through the use of building bioclimatic charts, optimize building form and construction for environmental performance. Develop an integrated design process. Report writing and presentation. Working independently and in groups.

General competence: Bioclimatic design

Learning methods and activities

The theory course in climate and built form is structured as a sequence of pedagogic modules including a theory part where students are introduced to a specific problem related to climate adaptive design and then a lab where students can solve a specific climate adaptive issue through the reasoned use of both analog and digital tools.

In the design course students can more freely apply knowledge, gained in the case study analysis in AAR4832, for development of a new climate-adapted building.

Teaching and learning activities include:

Lectures and presentations; recorded video tutorials for the use of simulation tools, Lab activities including a reasoned use of digital and analogue tools for environmental performance analyses, Design studio guidance, Oral project presentations and discussions with teachers, external professionals and classmates.

Excursions can be arranged as part of the teaching of the course. The course leader will inform the students if the excursion is obligatory or optional at the start of the semester. Obligatory excursions will be free of cost for all students. Students who participate in optional excursions must expect to pay a small share of the expenses. For students who do not participate in optional excursions, an alternative will be offered.

Studio based learning: Students are expected to be physically present and available to the group for the majority of the ‘day working hours’ when prescribed.

Further on evaluation

Evaluation of the Design course in Climate and built forms is divided in two main parts:

Task 1:

• Evaluation of the architectural design project.

Task 2:

• Evaluation of a report including information about the design process and effort devoted for optimizing the project environmental performance towards energy efficiency.

Projects are evaluated for the effort devoted throughout the semester in integrating concerns related to passive environmental performance of the building with its architecture.

Students should give evidence of a systematic effort into adapting the form and construction of their proposal to the climatic conditions of the site (on the basis of both qualitative and quantitative parameters).

The design project accounts for 60% of the whole evaluation while the report accounts for 40%.

In case of fail in the course, students can further improve their project (both design and report) and repeat the exam in a date decided by the responsible teacher.

If students are willing to submit a new project to improve their grade, both a new project and a new report should be submitted. These should be presented in the following exam session.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Architectural design; Building construction; building physics.

Required previous knowledge

Completed course in building physics and at least 30 ECTS in architectural design or knowledge related to building construction for engineers.

The course is run in combination with AAR4832 and coordinated with AAR4833.

Course materials

• S. Szokolay, Introduction to architectural science. The Basis of Sustainable Design
• R. Lechner, Heating, Coling, Lighting. Sustainable design methods for architects
• T. Dahl, Climate and architecture
• V. Olgyay, Design with Climate