Climate and Built Form - Design Project

Inside the Climate and Built form - Project 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.

The course is structured as a sequence of pedagogic modules where theory provided in course AAR4832 is used as the basis for the design of climate adapted shelters in different climatic contexts. In each pedagogic module, theorethical knowledge is coupled with a laboratory where students are trained in the use of physical and digital tools for environmental performance analyses. Digital parametric modelling tools are generally used to optimize tectonic system of climate adapted shelters. Analog tools included in the studio are used to test models produced through hands-on activities and digital fabrication techniques, relating them to sun and wind. Students are therefore able to customize design processes in a way to support the development of integrated design processes for climate adaptation. Main focus of the course is the ability to to define climate adapted shelters taking advantage of local resources to adress environmental performance towards comfort. 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.

Knowledge:

Climate and built form courses are structured in a sequence of pedagogic modules where students are asked to solve specific problems for climate adaptation. Theory lectures provide knowledge of: CLIMATE and context analysis; BIOCLIMATIC design principles; FORM and thermal performance; TECTONICS and the thermal envelope; SUN and passive solar heating systems; WIND and natural ventilation strategies; LIGHT and the luminous environment.

In the design course theory for climate adaptation is combined with knowledge related to parametric digital design processes and construction techniques. These domains are combined for the design of prefabricated bioclimatic shelters.

Skills:

Ability to identify and implement passive strategies for adressing environmental performance of buildings towards comfort. Ability to optimize form and construction of a building in a way to optimize thermal performance. Ability to combine climate adaptation and prefabrication strategies in integrated concepts. Ability to identify suboptimal solutions compromising environmental, functional and structural requirements. Working independently and in groups. Report writing and presentation.

General competence: Architectural design of climate adaptive buildings taking into account natural resources and constraints.

Theory and design courses in Climate and built form are structured as a sequence of pedagogic modules where theory for climate adaptation is used as the basis to solve a set of challenges for climate adaptation in different climatic contexts. Theory is used as the basis for the development of laboratories where students are trained in the use of digital and analog tools for environmental performance analyses of different kinds.

Theory knowledge gained through the case study anaysis in the theory course, is used in the design course for the design of a set of prefab bioclimatic shelters in different climatic conditions. Since 2022, an intensive experimental design and construction activity is arranged as part of learning activities, with the intention of deepening the potential of a specific material or construction systems for providing comfortable and adaptable bioclimatic shelters.

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.

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

This course is offered to international master's students. Language of instruction is English.