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 - inside AAR4832 - provide knowledge of context and climate analysis, architectural design of bio-climatic buildings, environmental performance analyses related to sun and wind patterns and energy modeling. Throughout their work students are encouraged to understand and critically reflect on how form, tectonics and program of a building relate to a specific climatic context, determining its passive performance. Case studies' analyses are used as the arena to bring together scientific knowledge, skills development and critical reflection.

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 also make 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 course supports, underpins and is a prerequisite for the design course AAR4532, but can exceptionally be taken as a stand-alone course.

Learning outcome

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

Skills: Analysis of existing climate adaptive buildings, 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. Visualization of climatic data as basis for integrated design processes. Work independently and in multidisciplinary groups.

General competence: understand and use of climatic data as a source for the architectural design of climate adapted and performative buildings.

Learning methods and activities

The course 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.

Theory: Lectures from teachers and weekly students' presentations about relevant projects and researches.

Assignment: Students are asked to write and present a report where they analyze relevant case studies and individually perform different kinds of environmental analyses. The report is presented and discussed in plenum with teachers, external professionals and classmates at the end of the semester.

Studio based learning: Students are expected to be physically present and available to the group for the majority of ‘day working hours’. The studio is also equipped with digital and analogue tools for environmental performance analyses.

This course timetable is coordinated together with AAR4833 and AAR4532

Study tours are organized where possible.

Further on evaluation

Students submit a case study analysis report including a series of environmental analyses reflecting the course content and run throughout the semester. Evaluation of the theory course takes into account the effort devoted by the student in integrating numerical analyses of different kinds (climate analyses, environmental performance or energy modeling) with a critical understanding of the building's architecture. Evaluation takes into account the complexity of the analyses conducted, the methodology used and the relevance of the results for a critical analysis of the project.

In case students fail, they can improve their work and repeat the exam according to deadlines decided by the responsible teacher. The right to complain applies only after the final grade has been given. If students are willing to repeat the exam to improve their grade, they will need to submit an entirely new case study analysis. You can register for a re-scheduled examination in the next exam period.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Architectural design; Materials and construction; building physics.

Required previous knowledge

Required previous knowledge: Completed three years courses in architecture, engineering or urban planning.

Course materials

Recommended reading material & library / computer aided simulation + modelling / physical models / sketching / project guidance / lectures/ guest and shared presentations and discussion in the studio