SUS 7300A Low Energy Buildings

Fall 2017. Subject to refinement/updating.

Instructor: Alan Barlis
Schedule: Tuesday 5:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
Location: Spitzer Building 3M23
3 credits 3 hours/week

Instructors

Alan Barlis abarlis@gmail.com

Assistant: Ben Leer benjleer@gmail.com

Description

The aim of the course is to introduce state-of-the-art methodologies and tools for integrated design and optimization of energy efficient buildings with a good indoor environment. Focus is on the first part of the design process. The methodology for integrated design is based on listing of the functional requirements of buildings, preparation of space of solutions, generating of design proposals, and optimization analyses and decision processes. The participants will, on individual basis, work on development of the integrated design processes in relation to their own research projects.

Overview

The emphasis of this course will be on energy conservation, performance optimization, cost effectiveness, innovation in construction technologies and metrics to measure success in building. It will provide the student with the tools and a framework needed to approach the fundamentals of architectural design with sustainability, particularly energy-efficiency, in mind. We will utilize principles of the Passive House design standards as outlined by the Passive House Institute as a way to not only learn how best to achieve those standards, but also to develop a framework for thinking about sustainable architectural design in general. We will cover the five main principles of Passive House design: compact form, solar gain calculation, insulation and thermal bridging, air and vapor envelope control, and energy-recovery ventilation. These principles represent the most effective approach available today to minimize energy use in buildings. The fundamental thinking behind this approach is also varied enough to encompass many other beneficial methodologies being tested in current building design. The course will engage students to think critically about techniques being tested in the built environments of their hometowns as well as their current town, New York City. We look back at a bit of history for context, at the current state of practice by various related industries, as well as theories of what may be possible in the near future. Concurrent with lectures and discussions, we will test what we learn in a design exercise at the scale of an urban residential project on a site near the City College campus.

Objectives

We will strive to understand how, by working with the site and climate, the design of a building can improve its performance with regard to energy use. We will improve our ability to achieve sustainable goals in the built environment by including envelope and systems capabilities in fundamental schematic level design. We will become fluent in the basics of Passive House design principles, and test their application through design exercises.

Course Requirements

Participation

Reading assignments and some questions to guide your thinking about these assignments are given in the class schedule for each class session. You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the reading and respond when called on for questions. Your individual class participation grade will be based upon your in-class presentations and remarks during discussions.
 
Attendance

Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded. Each unexcused absences will lower your grade by 1/3 of a letter (B+ to B, for example.)

Required Reading

Required readings are noted in the schedule and are available on BlackBoard, or on reserve in the Architecture library.

Suggested Readings

The list below is for additional reading as for your interest and for context for class discussion.
 
Moskovitz, Julie Torres. The Greenest Home.
James, Mary. Recreating the American Home.
Heschong, Lisa. Thermal Delight.
Moore, Fuller. Environmental Control System.
Lechner, Norbert. Heating, Cooling and Lighting.
Grondzik, Kwok, Stein, Reynolds. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Building.
Bielefeld, Bert. Detail Green Books, Passivhauser entwerfen.
IBO. Details for Passive House.
 
www.passipedia.org
http://passivehouseplus.ie/
be.passive, Brussels
 
Anderson, Ray C. & White, Robin. Confessions of a Radical Industrialist: Profits, People, Purpose—Doing Business by Respecting the Earth.
Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins. Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution.
Benyus, Janine M. Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.
McDonough, William & Braungart, Michael. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

Grading

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Course Outline