Sustainable Architecture: Evaluation and Design

On this module, you will attain the knowledge required for achieving the Net Zero target in different climates around the world. You'll explore the different approaches to reduce energy demand in buildings, including:

• building details
• form
• configuration
• required strategies.

These approaches will also be accompanied with different possible renewable technologies in order to meet the net zero target.

This module will provide you with the platform to understand the physics behind the building performance, allowing for the exploration of embodied carbon in construction to ensure the possible offset of the associated carbon. You'll also gain detailed knowledge of energy-efficient building technologies, complementing the knowledge gained in other modules.

In this module you'll focus on the complex issue of assessing existing buildings. Using a building performance evaluation (BPE) approach, you will assess existing building on their energy use, environmental impact, internal (thermal) environment and occupant satisfaction.

Technically, BPE involves systematic collection and evaluation of information about the performance of a building in use. You'll learn about the different data collected, which can include measured information such as:

• energy consumption
• temperatures
• lighting levels
• acoustic performance
• survey data from the occupants, regarding issues such as comfort, aesthetics, occupant satisfaction, and management.

Assessing real building performance, from both a technical and social perspective, will provide you with real-world experience and knowledge which will help you to learn from the experiences of others (including occupants) in real buildings.

This module will provide you with a platform to explore the impact of the microclimate on real projects. You will work in different groups exploring real projects in a simulated office environment and setting. You'll test and simulate the urban microclimate impact on a real project, reporting your overall findings and experience as part of your assessment. Through a possible collaboration with practices, you will have the opportunity to get real practice experience. The practices will then be invited to your end-of-project presentation.

The module also introduces the philosophy and theories of sustainable development, considering:

• energy supply and demand
• water
• natural resources
• sustainable transport
• local economy.

In this module, you will be able to apply the knowledge gained from other modules, within the course, to your design. You'll gain a theoretical introduction to a systematic building energy performance simulation and will analyse its relation to different climatic conditions. You'll learn about the underlying theory and principles of software related to the predictive modelling of buildings. You'll also debate the merits of state-of-the-art software modelling packages.

The aim of this module is to explore the possible design strategies and approaches needed for the change in climate. The current increases in climate are creating the high possibility of having a change in our climate to be as high as 3°C. You will be given the opportunity to plan for the future climate and explore possible mitigation, adaptation and exploration in design and technology.

Your dissertation will develop your research design skills and provide an opportunity to explore, assimilate and synthesise learning from across the individual modules into an extensive piece of work.

The dissertation will give evidence of the consideration of:

• appropriate theoretical and research methodologies
• methods
• ethics
• logical and coherent arguments
• rigour
• validity
• reliability
• confidence in the conclusions.

The dissertation provides you with the opportunity to acquire and enhance a number of key skills including forming coherent arguments, project management, organisation, time management and academic writing, and demonstrates your ability to marshal evidence, to evaluate critically and to synthesise the disparate sources used. It does not necessarily involve original research or primary material, but you'll be able to carry out a small original research project using primary material and demonstrate that you have addressed the same criteria described above.