Course - Climate and Built Form - Design Project - AAR4532
Climate and Built Form - Design Project
About
About the course
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 - within course AAR4832 - provide knowledge of climate analysis, architectural design of bio-climatic buildings, environmental performance analyses, energy modeling and building tectonics (up to passive house standards). 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 makes also 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 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.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
Integrated design processes, green building concepts, climate analysis, building morphology, site and context analyses, environmental programming, environmental tectonics, construction systems for climate adaptation, passive solar heating systems, natural ventilation strategies, fundamentals of daylight.
Skills:
Design of climate adaptive buildings within a broader contextual response, command of software and simulation tools for analyzing 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. Develop an integrated design process. Report writing and presentation. Working independently and in groups.
General competence: Bioclimatic design
Learning methods and activities
The theory course in climate and built form 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 are asked to solve specific issues related to climate adaptive design through the use of analog and digital tools.
Throughout the semester students are asked to develop a case study analyses where they use digital simulation tools and analog tools for the analysis of an existing case study. After that, in the design course, students can more freely apply gained knowledge for development of a new climate-adapted building.
Between the case study analysis and the design task, 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.
Excursions can be arranged as part of the teaching of the course. The course leader will inform the students if the excursion is obligatory or optional at the start of the semester. Obligatory excursions will be free of cost for all students. Students who participate in optional excursions must expect to pay a small share of the expenses. For students who do not participate in optional excursions, an alternative will be offered.
Studio based learning:
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.
Further on evaluation
Evaluation of the Design course in Climate and built forms is based on a map where students collect three different tasks. All three tasks are developed in groups and are evaluated according to the following criteria:
Task1 (20%):
- A short report describing experiments conducted during the intensive design workshop, giving evidence of how activities supported the understanding of bioclimatic design processes and the relation between climate and built forms. Students should include in the report results of analyses conducted through the use of analog and digital models through diagrams, pictures and photos.
Task 2 (20%):
- A report describing the design process and effort devoted for optimizing the project environmental performance towards energy efficiency. Students should give evidence of a systematic effort, throughout the semester, in integrating concerns related to passive environmental performance of the building with its architecture. Focus in the evaluation of the report is put on the analyses conducted with particular insight in their soundness, relevance for the project development and complexity.
Task 3 (60%):
- In the architectural design projects students should show the ability of translating the result of numerical analyses conducted in the report in projects characterized by high architectural qualities. Results of environmental performance analyses need therefore to be compromised with functional and structural requirements of the building. Focus in the evaluation will be put in the architectural quality of the project and its coherence with analyses conducted.
It is required that all members of the group equally contribute to the development of the tasks. Whenever that is not the case, students are asked to report the issue already after the first task. The teacher has the right to rearrenge groups whenever conditions impede a correct development of teaching and learning activities.
If the portfolio assessment is not passed or improved, the student must submit the entire portfolio again. It is only in the case of a valid absence that the folder can be delivered as a postponed exam, cf. study regulations § 5-6
These should be presented in the following exam session.
Students must request justification/complaint on an individual basis. Possibly new result applies only to the person who has submitted a complaint.
Specific conditions
Limited admission to classes. For more information: https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Admission+to+courses+with+restricted+admission
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Architecture (MAAR)
Architecture (MAAR2)
Sustainable Architecture (MSSUSARC)
Recommended previous knowledge
Architectural design, building construction and building physics.
Required previous knowledge
Completed course in building physics and at least 30 ECTS in architectural design or knowledge related to building construction for engineers.
The course is run in combination with AAR4832 and coordinated with AAR4833.
Course materials
- S. Szokolay, Introduction to architectural science. The Basis of Sustainable Design
- R. Lechner, Heating, Coling, Lighting. Sustainable design methods for architects
- T. Dahl, Climate and architecture
- V. Olgyay, Design with Climate
Subject areas
- Architectural Design, History and Technology
- Urban Design and Planning
- Architectural Theory
- Architecture
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025
Portfolio
Submission 2025-12-12 Time Release 08:00
Submission 23:59 Exam system Inspera Assessment