Course syllabus for Design and performance optimization in architecture

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameDesign- och prestandaoptimering i arkitektur
  • CodeACE405
  • Credits10 Credits
  • OwnerMPARC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture
  • ThemeArchitectural design project 7.5 c
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 05128
  • Maximum participants28 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Minimum participants8
  • Open for exchange studentsYes
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0123 Written and oral assignments 10 c
Grading: TH		 10 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites


Aim

The aim of the course is to deepen the skills in using simulation tools for the integrated performance optimisation of an architectural design project. Performance criteria can include energy demand, daylight, thermal comfort, embodied carbon, amongst others. The students can choose to optimise an own design of a building or urban project that they developed in a previous course, or they can use the case study provided by the teachers. The design optimisation process will be based on and driven by knowledge gained using the simulation tools.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge and understanding

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the underlying methods for building performance analysis and multi-criteria design optimisation approaches

Competence and skills

  • apply building performance simulation software in the early phases of the design process to answer specific design questions with a sustainability perspective
  • structure and document their multi-criteria optimization process of the design solution
  • describe and evaluate design choices and their outcomes in terms of quantitative and qualitative criteria through several design iterations, using results from the simulation tools and simple architectural visualizations
  • present their proposal in a digital hand-in

Judgement and approach

  • describe, argue for, evaluate, and discuss their own and others’ proposals during a final critique together with university faculty and external reviewers

Content

The content of the course is adapted to a specific design problem and the case study that is selected each year. In general, the course consists of three parts. First, the course starts with a joint introduction in energy, embodied carbon, climate and daylight modelling and simulation in the form of lectures including many real-life examples. Second, the students are expected to learn the required simulation software for energy, daylight, and other performance criteria by using the pre-recorded tutorials with limited support by the teachers in special tutorial classes and using other resources available on the internet. The third part is the main part consisting of the group work on a specific design problem and documentation of the optimisation process. The project work is evaluated based in the final hand-in and the final presentation.

Organisation

The design and optimisation project is carried out in groups of 2-4 students. Lectures in the beginning of the course provide the relevant theoretical knowledge. Pre-recorded tutorials are provided, and the students are expected to learn the simulation software by themselves. Tutorials in class will provide the opportunity to receive support. The final digital hand-in of the project is mandatory. Furthermore, the attendance of the mid-term and the final critiques are mandatory.

Literature

Building Optimization, Max Tillberg, Klas Moberg, Chalmers School of Architecture, ARK415 Building Design Lab, 2018 (PDF – will be provided)

Further literature depends on the project specialization.

Examination including compulsory elements

The grading is based on the final hand-ins, the final project presentation, a review of the design process documentation, and comments during the final critique.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.