Postgraduate Course: Building Simulation Principles (ARCH11265)
Course Outline
School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | This course is an introduction to how we can predict the environmental behaviour of buildings. You will acquire knowledge and skills to use sophisticated software tools to understand how buildings use energy, harness daylight and provide comfort to their users. At the end of this course you will be able to deploy this knowledge in your own design processes. Your expertise to make environmental predictions at an early stage is useful in both academic and practice contexts. |
Course description |
This course introduces the theory and practice of building simulation. The ability to model, predict, and iterate building proposals in terms of carbon emissions, energy loads and thermal comfort are becoming increasingly important in design practice. Building Simulation Principles provides skills and knowledge to represent buildings in a way suitable for analysis. You will acquire expertise in modelling buildings using different constructional systems and climatic contexts.
The course is delivered in three linked stages.
Orient
This introduces you to the principles of environmental design, building representation, simulation and benchmarking. You will work on a series of scenario models that allows you gain experience of testing theory in tangible design contexts.
Practice
You start to work on more sophisticated models using building simulation software. As part of this, you learn how to use model outputs to iterate and improve building performance in a structured way.
Design
You have the opportunity to create an outline design proposal as a simulation model in a series of template contexts. This consolidates the work of the first two stages of the course and provides the basis for the summative assessment for the course.
The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and practical workshops with an emphasis of working in groups to encourage peer assisted learning. The course is also delivered through LEARN with the use of online instruction resources to supplement classroom activities.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2023/24, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 20 |
Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
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Lecture Hours 9,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 24,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
153 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
There are two components of assessment.
Assignment 1
A Comparative Study. This is a text that set out considered environmental and sustainable metrics and benchmarks for a proposed building programme. The length of the assessment will around 1000 words.
This assignment counts towards 30% of the final summative mark for the course.
It addresses learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4
Assignment 2
A Reflective Report. This describes and reflects on your process in designing a test model, its simulation process and strategies for iteration and improvement. The report will be illustrated with your work and be around 2500 words in length.
This assignment counts towards 70% of the final summative mark for the course.
It address all the learning outcomes for the course.
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Feedback |
You will receive formative feedback throughout the course. It will take the form of verbal feedback in class as your work develops.
For Assignment 1, you will also receive written formative feedback on work in progress around the middle of the semester. You will also receive written summative feedback towards the end of the semester to assist you in completing assignment 2.
For Assignment 2, you will also receive written formative feedback on work in progress at the end of the teaching period for the semester. You will receive written summative feedback on this assignment.
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No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of environmental design and building behaviour that underpin building simulation.
- Demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of building simulation workflows.
- Demonstrate skill in using building simulation techniques to interrogate design models and successfully interpret their results.
- Show expertise in producing reflective, well-structured and incisive reporting of design and simulation processes.
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Reading List
Szokolay, S. [2014] Introduction to Architectural Science: The Basis of Sustainable Design. Routledge
Clark, D. [2013] What Colour is your Building?: Measuring and reducing the energy and carbon footprint of buildings. RIBA Publishing
DeKay, M. [2000] Sun, Wind and Light. Architectural Design Strategies. Wiley
Jankovich, L. [2012] Designing Zero Carbon Buildings Using Dynamic Simulation Methods. Routledge
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Acquire experience in applying research methods and techniques to make value judgements in the creation of sustainable design strategies;
Show a development of research skills based on tangible scenario based learning;
Demonstrate an ability to interpret quantitative data and then communicate key issues in an engaging and accessible way;
Communicate effectively with others using appropriate modelling, graphic, verbal and written techniques;
Demonstrate skill in the use and application of environmental simulation packages to inform the design of buildings and their external environments;
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Keywords | building,simulation,architecture,sustainability |
Contacts
Course organiser | Mr John Brennan
Tel: (0131 6)50 2324
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Marta Zadzilko
Tel: (0131 6)51 5800
Email: |
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