Aims

The Course introduces the fundamental principles, properties and required performances of buildings, including:
*the principles of environmental design, structural design and basic construction considerations.

From undertaking this course students should be able to:
*describe and explain the principle factors affecting the utilization of sustainable resources, the environmental design of simple buildings, and understand basic concepts and principles of sustainable design practices.
*explain the principle factors affecting the structural design of buildings, including; loads and forces, the utilization of common building materials and elements and the behavior and criteria for the selection and application of structural systems in buildings.

The module builds on the foundations established in semester 1 and seeks to directly complement the on-going semester 2 Studio design projects.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics covered by the lectures include:

Environmental Design
•Sustainable Environment and Sustainable Resource Use
•Heat, Comfort, Climate
•Climatic Envelope
•Acoustics and Noise Control
•Site planning, passive design strategies, energy generation

Structural Systems
•Space, Structure, Skin
•Loads and Forces
•Structural Elements
•Structural Systems

Construction Tectonics and Process
•Comparison of alternative construction techniques

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Rationale of Teaching Methods and Relationship to Learning Outcomes

Teaching is primarily by means of lectures, although these are complemented by studio tutorials, workshops and feedback sessions. In addition, students are encouraged to undertake personal research associated with studio projects with which this module is linked.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

In the light of the intended knowledge and skills outcomes the 100% coursework assessment using a case study allows a strong linkage between technology understanding informing the personally developed design work in the studio.