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 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.
Learning outcome
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.
Learning methods and activities
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.
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.
- In the event of a valid absence or failure of a submitted portfolio, the student has the right to register for a postponed exam. Students who failed the ordinary assessment must submit a revised and/or revised portfolio again according to the examiner's feedback.
- The term "fail" replaces both "fail" and "F" in all contexts.
- Students must request justification/appeal individually. Any new result only applies to the person who has submitted a complaint.
- Postponed exam is normally added to the next exam period.
- When repeating a course to improve a previously passed result, new assessment criteria must be submitted.
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 three years courses in architecture, engineering or urban planning.
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