Technology and Environment 1

Overview

An introduction to the principles of building technology, including structural behaviour, building construction and materials. The studies are set within the context of the building process, sustainability, and the use of descriptive and performance specifications. The course will include sufficient basic information to assist students in the constructional design of a small scale building.

The contents of this module deals with the environmental performance of buildings through passive design strategies for natural light and ventilations and the way these factors inform the design of buildings, their forms and structure.

Learning Objectives

On completion of the module, students will have developed:

- Understanding the basic principles of building construction, structural systems, and components.

- Awareness of basic sustainability & environmental considerations related to the appropriate choice of systems, materials, and technologies in a simple building.

- Understanding the structural stability/equilibrium in buildings through the experimentation and acting forces, structural assembly and analysing the role of structural members.

- Understanding the principles associated with design for environmental comfort realised within relevant precepts of sustainable design (visual, thermal and acoustic).

- Researching and analysing precedents/case studies to explore the role of structural systems and environmental performance to inform design and form of a building.

Skills

Students will be able to demonstrate basic understanding of principles of structure, environmental science and sustainable strategies related to the design and construction of a simple building. Students will be able to develop structural models and drawings that communicate principles of building construction, structural analysis and details.

Assessment

75% lecture attendance. This module is delivered though theory lectures, practical workshops and tutorials to support design projects.
The assessment of this module is undertaken through coursework.