This module develops a critical understanding of the drivers and need for sustainable buildings, and the principles, strategies, technologies and evaluation methods for enhancing sustainability in the built environment. You will learn how to apply core sustainability principles and translate recent advances in sustainability to reduce resource usage and environmental impact from buildings.  

1. Develop a critical understanding of the drivers and need for sustainability in the built environment. 

2. Critically evaluate and apply principles and techniques of sustainable buildings. 

3. Translate theoretical knowledge and recent advances into effective sustainable strategies. 

4. Create solutions to minimise resource usage and environmental impact from buildings by appraising their energy and environmental performance. 

The module will be delivered through a blend of online teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus face-to-face classes. These are used to explain the underlying theory and to illustrate its application to engineering problems and practical industrial applications. 

Teaching begins at the general level focusing on the drivers and principles of sustainable buildings, before going into strategies and technologies to achieve sustainability, and ending with synthesis and application in building design and operation. The module is designed with the locus of learning primarily in student engagement with the learning materials, and preparation and participation in teaching sessions. 

• Contextualise the effects and causes of anthropogenic climate change and resource usage to the built environment. 

• Appraise suitability of sustainability strategies by evaluating their effectiveness 

• Evaluate energy and environmental performance of buildings using the principles of thermal behaviour of buildings and environmental assessment methods.  

• Propose sustainable alternatives in a building design/refurbishment project. 

Graduate attributes developed in the module will also include the ability to: 

• Actively reflect on own studies, achievements and self-identity. 

• Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts. 

The module is assessed by a 2-hour written examination covering all parts of the syllabus. Each question assesses knowledge and understanding, intellectual skills and synthesis, thus allowing students to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes.  

Developmental feedback is provided via the dialogue between students and staff in lectures. Generic feedback on the exam questions will be provided on the online learning portal after assessment. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

There is a potential for re-assessment in this module which may result in a 100% written assessment during the August Resit period. 

• Climate change  

• Drivers for sustainability 

• Introduction to sustainable building design 

• Energy in buildings 

• Sustainable materials 

• Thermal comfort 

• Passive design of buildings 

• Thermal behaviour of buildings 

• Heating systems 

• Codes and standards 

• Environmental assessment of buildings 

• Low carbon solar technologies 

• Lighting and daylight in buildings 

• Natural ventilation and low energy cooling