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ARCT41210

Academic Year 2024/2025

Architecture in a Climate Emergency (ARCT41210)

Subject:
Architecture
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Architecture, Plan & Env Pol
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Eibhlin Ni Chathasaigh
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module looks in detail at the crisis of climate change and the role of buildings. It is an inquiry led, project based module. Students will be immersed in an EU Green Deal Research Project with collaborator DLR council. Dun Laoighaire town centre is the Living Lab. 5 municipal buildings and social housing will be evaluated in the contexts of adaptive reuse, embodied carbon, energy efficiency retrofit, energy positivity amongst other topics.

The module has particular focus on the global heating impact of built environments and specifically contemporary architecture. In this module the student will initially learn about the science of climate change through a series of lectures that distill the growing body of science evidencing global heating. The module will subsequently focus on the impact of buildings - their efficiency in operation and the negative impact of their construction.

Student group research and design projects will investigate methods and motivations for more sustainable building design solutions applied to case study buildings. Current and future solutions for a more sustainable architecture will be analysed and critiqued.

Through a series of lectures, and associated research and enquiry, students develop their own perspectives on climate change; problems and proposed solutions, particularly with regard to the built environment and building design practice. The module aims to provide students with a clear understanding of the environmental impact of building and present knowledge on how they might develop sustainable, low impacting alternatives to contemporary architecture in future study and practice.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module the student will be expected to:
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of climate change, and particularly the role of architecture and the built environment.
Demonstrate the ability to consider the environmental impact of buildings, including matters of resource depletion, energy consumption, life cycle performance, carbon intensity and in-use performance when designing buildings.
Understand and participate in current debates within the areas of sustainability and climate change and particularly those relevant to architecture and the built environment.
Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply concepts and theoretical knowledge to climate change related challenges both in Ireland and globally.

Indicative Module Content:

Over the course of twelve weeks the module will investigate climate change science, the role of buildings in creating global heating, architectural solutions and options for a sustainable built environment.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Specified Learning Activities

9
Autonomous Student Learning

73
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches include include: active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning; debates; case-based learning; student presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: In order to develop a better understanding of the embodied carbon of buildings, and how to calculate it, the primary module assignment (75%) will focus on Life Cycle Analysis of buildings. In groups. Week 8, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
100
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Student groups will be met with in advance of project presentation and given feedback on the research being undertaken. This will include feedback of research methodology, literature under review, methods of analysis and critique being undertaken. Student groups will be given feedback when they present the findings of their precedent and climate change mitigation action research project.

Krasney, E. Material Reform Building for a Post Carbon Future.
https://drawingmatter.org/material-reform-building-for-a-post-carbon-future-2023-review/

Thurnberg, G. The Climate Book.

Benjamin, D. Embodied energy and design. Making architecture between metrics and narratives.

Mackay, D., Sustainable energy without the hot air.

Cairns, S. and Jacobs, J., Buildings must die.

Pelsmakers, S., The Environmental Design Pocketbook

As well as a wide range of articles, journal papers, podcasts etc. that will be introduced during the semester.

Also a comprehensive reading list will be made available to the class at the beginning of the semester.

Name Role
Sawsan Bassalat Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Philip Crowe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Eibhlin Ni Chathasaigh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1 Thurs 11:00 - 13:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Thurs 11:00 - 13:50
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