Climate and Built Form

This course is a prerequisite for the design course AAR4532 and supports and underpins the design course AAR4532, equipping students with theoretical knowledge and skills for climate adaptative design. The course can also be taken as a stand-alone course or as a supporting theory course for the Circular Studio.

Inside the Climate and Built form - Theory course students are trained in understanding how form, construction and program of a building determine its environmental performance. Architectural design of climate adapted buildings is discussed as a meaningful process based on the understanding of understanding of climatic and natural constraints and resources. Theory lectures introduce students to methods and tools for correctly handling quantitative concerns for climate adaptation while exposing them to qualitative concepts that can foster their creativity and imagination. 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 is offered to international master's students. Language of instruction is English.

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.

Skills:

Ability to identify correct passive strategies for adressing environmental performance of buildings towards comfort. Ability to understand the role of form and construction of a building on its thermal performance. Working independently and in groups.Report writing and presentation.

General competence:

Understanding architectural design of climate adapted buildings as a meaningful process based on the understanding of climatic and natural constraints and resources.

Lectures, exercises, peer review assessment and discussions in plenum.

Individual case study analyses are used as the arena for training students in understanding the relation between buildings and climate, while performing different kinds of environmental analyses. Case study analyses always include buildings from different times spread across different climatic conditions. Vernacular architectures are often proposed as case studies to let students understand how local materials and construction system have been employed over time for the construction of bioclimatic shelters. Modernist buildings are on the other hand proposed to let students understand how architects have been able to use their imagination to solve specific climatic challenges. Students are invited to critically reflect over how form, construction and program of the building have been arranged in a way to address environmental performance towards comfort.

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 it is mandatory to attend also AAR4532 in combination with this theory course.

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