CRP 423 Sustainable Community Design and Development

Temple University - Architecture

Energy and Building Design

Arch 0354

Fall Semester 2005

Class Meeting Time: Distant Learning

Course hours: 3 credit hours fulfilling architecture elective course.

Prerequisite: Architecture 0151, 0152, and 0351

Associate Professor: Joseph Michael Kelly

Qualifications: BET, PD, MSc, RA, CEng, NCARB, MCIBSE

Contact information: Voice: 864-275-3395, Email: jmkelly@temple.edu

Information about the professor: http://www.jmkelly.net

Office hours: By email

Architecture Department Telephone: 215-204-8813

BACKGROUND

“If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” – anon.

Over half the energy used in the developed world is consumed by buildings. As global concern increases about the impact of energy use, so does the importance of energy-efficient building. We spend the vast majority of our lives within buildings and the built environment has a significant impact on the quality of human life and the healthy and sustainable development of society. With increasing energy crises caused by the extremely dense urban situation, people in the United States are becoming more and more concerned about the present and future living conditions. Today’s buildings and urban spaces in developing countries are often designed with the “international style” as a model, and without taking the climate into consideration. Factors such as street widths, orientation and architectural design of the buildings, choice of building materials, etc. are not given enough importance. Consequently a great part of the built environment has a poor indoor as well as outdoor climate. As living standards increase people tend to install or extend heating and/or cooling equipment in order to overcome the problem with poor thermal comfort. For buildings not adapted to the climate, the energy consumption, and consequently the costs, will be excessively high and the impact on the environment will be negative – both globally and locally. One reason why buildings and urban spaces are poorly adapted to the climate is that architects, planners and engineers lack knowledge and adequate design tools. Furthermore, experience from traditional architecture, which was fairly well adapted to the climate, is often lost or difficult to adapt to modern techniques and society. Norms and regulations within the field are generally lacking.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to develop a better understanding of energy in the context of the built environment for students in architecture. It focuses on raising the awareness of the built world’s connection to environmental issues, examining the principles and tools for energy and building design. The focus is on the design of buildings to minimize energy consumption, effect of total climate on building design, solar energy applications, wind energy potential, total energy systems, heat pumps, heat wheels, sustainability, and the autonomous building. The course is designed with an emphasis on interdisciplinary reflection, systems thinking and sharing of students’ own experience. The learning will be by distant learning web-based resources and site investigations. Assessment will be based on a continuous method.

Energy has moved into the mainstream of our culture. This course explores the theory, practice, technology and social values that are created when architects design in a sustainable manner. Designs of ecologically sensitive projects are addressed online. Case studies are used extensively to provide the student with a comprehensive overview of energy and building design. The course offers a general exposure to questions pertaining to: principles of ecological building, buildings of tomorrow, ecological architectural design, landscape architecture and green spaces, and the active measures of renewable energy sources. Environmentally sensitive projects by Renzo Piano, Norman Foster, Peter Rice, Richard Rogers, Michael Hopkins, Ove Arup, Nicholas Grimshaw, Richard Murphy, Glenn Murcutt, etc. will be examined among others. Design comparisons will be drawn between sustainable and non-sustainable models of design. A “green” design philosophy will be encouraged, based on the viewpoint that humanity may exist as a part of nature, rather than in opposition to nature. Technical and practical energy concerns will complement this material. Developing an understanding of energy, in a way that is pertinent to architecture, will help us meet the most important architectural challenge of the new millennium: to create a sustainable future through an environmental approach to design. Square One environmental design software will be utilized throughout the course.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a heightened awareness and understanding of energy utilization in buildings and its influence in informed building design. Both passive and active systems are investigated and evaluated. Emphasis is placed on the integration of energy-efficient elements and systems into architectural projects. To teach students the energy impact of building design, how to calculate energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, for any building type and design. To instruct about climate sun angles, shading design, and design of a passive solar building using sunspace, trombe wall, water wall, direct gain, and super insulation. And the calculation of the solar savings fraction and auxiliary energy required of an energy efficient building of the students own studio design project.

1. This course brings awareness to energy and building design.

2. To provide the student with the opportunity to propose energy and building design research project of his or her interest. All projects must reflect complexity and significance and be appropriate scope to demonstrate the capabilities, skills, knowledge, and judgment of an undergraduate architectural student.

3. To carry out research.

4. To provide the student with opportunity to assume considerable independence in the development of a project. The course will emphasize the balance of independent action and judgment with the identification and availabilities of a variety of information gained through group sessions and consultant contact.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION POLICY

The course is 100% online distant learning will meet on campus at least once or twice during the semester. All students must attend the on campus meetings. Absences will be excused only by 1) family emergency, 2) documented medical stay, or 3) approved college function. Different ways of participating in the course include, but are not limited to: 1) contributing in an active way to class discussion of concepts and ideas; 2) presenting a brief summary and/or personal interpretation of reading materials upon the lecturer’s request; and 3) presenting issues from out-of-class studies.

GRADING POLICY

a. Purpose: To measure and record your comprehension of the issues presented by the professor or the project; to measure and record the student's progress in mastering the manual and intellectual skills necessary for energy and building design; to measure and record the effectiveness of the teaching method (course or project and its administration); to inform you about your strengths, weaknesses, and progress.

b. You are evaluated on your comprehension of the subject matter taught in this class.

c. Grades will be available to you upon request in a reasonable time following each exercise. Grades will not be posted. It is your responsibility to request information on your grade assessment from the professor.

d. Mid-term and final grades will be in accordance with Temple University's policy and timetable.

e. An interim review will be conducted with each student dropping below a “C” average with the dual purpose of undertaking a student and faculty evaluation. The professor will meet privately with you following the issuance of mid-term grades to discuss your progress and to provide an assessment of your performance to date, what is expected of you for the remainder of the term, and to provide you with an opportunity to assess your own development in the course. You are encouraged to request conferences with the faculty to discuss your progress at anytime during the course of study.

f. Grading is based on your performance in the class relative to the results of your research, presentation, final project, attendance and attitude. The professor is charged with evaluating your work based on and utilizing his best judgment of your performance and the quality of the work. Your research will be evaluated for clarity, accuracy, and presentation quality.

g. Final grades will be posted by Temple registrar and/or Architectural department.

GRADES

A. Excellent. Indicates work of a very high character, the highest grade given.

B. Good. Indicates work that is definitely above average, though not of the highest quality.

C. Fair. Indicates work of average or medium character.

D. Pass. Indicates work below average or medium character.

F. Fail. Indicates that the student knows so little of the subject that the course must be repeated in order that credit may be received.

I. Incomplete grades ("I") will only be issued for extreme hardship only in accordance with Temple University policy.

+ or – will may be utilized as + being the highest mark and – being lowest mark following a letter grade.

COURSE EVALUATION GRADES

1. Case Study Building – To be assigned 20% 90-100+=A

2. Architect Research 20% 80-89=B

3. Energy Technology Research 20% 70-79=C

4. Square One Test - 4 exams required 40% 60-69=D

TOTAL 100% 0-59=F

Final Class - Submit course notebook with all course handouts, material, assignments and corrections for evaluation, 10 additional points will be averaged in on final grade for exceptional work.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Reading assignments are for each week. Students are expected to be prepared, i.e., to have completed the week's readings assignments and stay up with the course exams. The purpose is to encourage you to: 1) absorb the information disseminated in your research; 2) reflect on this information and consider how it may be applied in your philosophies and practices; and 3) articulate the outcome of these reflections in written form and presentation form.

2. Case study building requirement. There will be one case study energy design research project to be completed over the course utilizing the "Square One" environmental design software. The purpose of the project is to provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge to real world problems. The project will also provide a chance for students to strengthen their general thinking, research, organizational, technical and construction skills. The project will comprise twenty (20) percent of the final grade for the course. Additional information about the nature and scope of the project will be provided over the course. As architects you should be taking a leading role in research, sustainable design and construction. You are encouraged to follow both the intuitive and theoretical paths in your research. Obtain advice from consultants when required (architects, landscape architects, construction engineers, civil engineers, building service engineers, etc.). Use digital cameras and computers as required to document the project. Use terminology that you learn in class when discussing the project and be prepared to explain that terminology. This is a real-life project, take it seriously and conduct yourself as an architect when discussing the project. Be aware of both pro and con energy design issues. The project should be of a quality that represents the class and brings awareness to energy in building design. A presentation board explaining the project with photographs and full documentation of the research process shall be part of the final submission. The student will be responsible for utilizing both the Weather Tool and Ecotect in their final 24" x 36" presentation. The goal of this project is to successfully communicate both visually and verbally how you conduct research and considered sustainability within a project. The student project in the context of design research on “Energy and Building Design.” The development of the energy design research project is intended as an opportunity for students to integrate all the course material and software into an existing building in Philadelphia. The student will be responsible for utilizing both the Weather Tool and/or Ecotect in their final presentation. Energy conservation measures should be clearly evident in the design. Be selective; choose only those objectives that are possible to integrate well into each particular project. Refer to the LEED rating system for a useful checklist that can help GUIDE you. Develop the objectives so that they are specific to your project.

3. Two comprehensive research papers are required. Both papers will cover energy and/or technology issues. A volume of descriptive information, texts, tables, diagrams, and illustrations are required for each project. Suggested guideline: four or five pages of double spaced text (1000 words) plus any images you may wish to include, 81/2” x 11’ format. The research project should be of the highest quality. Research project #1: Each student is to research one architect, landscape architect or engineer and/or firm practicing high or low technology energy design and present the information about the individual or firm, design principals and philosophy, work, and concentrate on understanding and reporting on the technology of their ecological building design. Selected designers include: Renzo Piano, Norman Foster, Peter Rice, Richard Rogers, Michael Hopkins, Ove Arup, Nicholas Grimshaw, Richard Murphy, Glenn Murcutt, Enric Miralles, Santiago Calatrava, Thomas Herzog, Itsuko Hasegawa, Helmut Richter, Jean Nouvel, Ian Ritchie, Von Gerkan Marg and Partners, Will Alsop, HL Technik, Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Battle McCarthy, etc. Research project #2: Each student is to research an “Energy Technology” of his or her own interest. Topics include solar energy (passive or active), grey water, natural ventilation of buildings, wind energy, geothermal heat pumps, LEED documentation, landscape for energy efficiency, sustainable landscapes, enhancing ecosystems, heat island migration, building envelope, active mechanical systems, smart buildings and energy management systems, ozone depleting chemicals in HVAC&R and fire suppression, high performance building hydrologic cycle strategy, high performance building water supply strategy, high performance green building wastewater strategy, landscaping water efficiency, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, construction and demolition waste management., etc.

4. Square One Test - 4 exams required. Each student is responsible for the course readings and the test will be taken online at the Square One website http://www.squ1.com/site.html. The student will submit the certificate to the professor on week 4, week 7, week 8 and week 9. The tests are on the following: Climate and Comfort, UK Part L, Lighting Design and Acoustic Design. Student must register online to take test and obtain certificate.

5. Late submission of the research projects will result in the reduction of a full letter grade. Failing to present your research project or test on the scheduled date will result in an "F".

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Notebook for handouts.

2. Measuring tape, digital camera, sketchpad, scientific equipment, etc.

3. Computer access with Internet connection, email and web surfing capabilities.

4. Computer and a calculator.

REQUIRED TEXT, WEBSITE and SOFTWARE

1. Square One: http://www.squ1.com/site.html

A. Commercial Software - Download Ecotect - Purchase student version

B. Commercial Software - Download The Weather Tool - Purchase student version

C. Commercial Software - Download The Solar Tool

D. Free Software - Download The Location Tool

E. Free Software - Download The Psycho Tool

2. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings, Ninth Edition, B. Stein and J. Reynolds

(Highly recommended text for architecture, engineering and engineering technology students. Not required for landscape architecture students.)

3. Landscape Design for Energy Efficiency (Highly recommended text for landscape architecture students. Not required for architecture, engineering and engineering technology students.)