The course focuses on environmental design evaluation methodology through measurable criteria, monitoring and simulation. It introduces methods, tools and techniques for the monitoring of outdoor and indoor climate conditions, the creation and calibration of microclimate and building simulation models, the simulation of existing and projected conditions to assess outdoor comfort, built structures environmental performance and energy efficiency. The main objective of the course is to document the relation of sustainability issues with the built environment through the study of microclimate influence on built structures, building energy efficiency improvement, outdoor comfort in urban sites and climate change impacts on existing and forthcoming buildings and sites. The course will offer students a broad understanding of environmental monitoring, simulation methodology and pertinent practices applicable to buildings and open spaces, providing them with the essential tools for documenting design proposals’ assessment.
On-site monitoring and digital simulation methods and tools are approached as a process of assessing existing and future conditions in built environments and structures, in terms of objective criteria and quantifiable indices, associated with sustainability including environmental and anthropogenic parameters. Processes of monitoring, modeling, simulation, and results interpretation are demonstrated through a variety of tools as different options for analytic assessment. In particular, the simulation method is viewed as the means to identify design effects in future or proposed scenarios and provide feedback to optimize design and support decision making.
Basic concepts and key parameters of monitoring and simulation methodology are presented along with various alternative and complementary tools and applications for practical assessment. These comprise of climate analysis tools, solar calculators, thermal comfort models, building thermal and energy performance simulation models, daylight analysis tools, airflow and wind field analysis models, microclimate simulation tools etc. Short exercises with basic computational and analytic tools will take place as initial engagement and a more comprehensive approach will follow with an extended exercise on a case study evaluation (e.g. building performance evaluation of daylight factors, energy demands and carbon emissions or microclimate development and outdoor comfort assessment).
The course combines lectures followed by tools demonstration to engage students in short exercises with computational tools and techniques, literature review and an environmental design evaluation case study (selection of criteria, tools and method and presentation of assessment results)
Weekly topics
Introduction: Environmental design assessment criteria and methods. Monitoring - Calibration - Simulation - Design optimization and feedback loop. Final report assignment.
Climate assessment: climate data acquisition and interpretation.
On-site monitoring methods and equipment.
Solar geometry calculation tools and design implications: insolation and shading assessment for design optimization.
Thermal comfort assessment methods and tools.
Outdoor microclimate development, critical parameters, evaluation methods and simulation tools.
Outdoor microclimate development, critical parameters, evaluation methods and simulation tools.
Building energy balance and energy performance criteria. Energy performance simulation methods and tools.
Building energy balance and energy performance criteria. Energy performance simulation methods and tools.
Daylight and visual comfort in buildings. Daylight assessment methods and simulation tools.
Airflow and wind field in relation to comfort, pollutant dispersion and indoor air quality. Evaluation methods and simulation tools.
Life Cycle Analysis and Building Information Modeling tools
Final report presentations and discussion
