ARCT41340

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a clear understanding of the distinct characteristics and behaviour of traditional building envelopes, in contrast to modern construction
- produce detailed documentation to support interventions to traditional building envelopes
- argue a clear critical opinion on the role of existing buildings in the response to climate change

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to traditional construction methods
Material characteristics (thermal, hygric) of traditional construction materials
Hygric and thermal responses of traditional building envelopes
Comparison with modern construction
Appropriate interventions to traditional building envelopes
Conservation in the context of sustainability and climate change

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Active, Task-Based Learning
Peer & Group work
Project work
Reflective Learning
Student Presentations
Tutorials
Lectures

The use of AI tools (e.g. Gemini, Copilot) is not encouraged or permitted in this module. Students are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use of AI tools.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The initial group project will give opportunity for peer review by other students within the class. Feedback to group work will be provided after submission of initial project. Ongoing feedback in tutorials / discussions on individual project, as well as after final submission on request.

HESCHONG, L. 1979. Thermal Delight in Architecture, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England, The MIT Press.

MOE, K. 2014. Insulating Modernism - Isolated and Non-isolated Thermodynamics in Architecture, Basel, Switzerland, Birkhäuser Verlag GmbH; particularly: A History of Heat Transfer in Buildings, p. 54 - 125.

BARBER, D. A. 2019. After Comfort. Log, 47. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26835030

GROHAR, J., GUSEL, E., MERTELJ, M., VIDIC, A. & VRABIC, M. 2024. +/- 1 °C : In Search of Well-Tempered Architecture, Ljubljana, Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO).

GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND 2023. Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditonal Buildings - Guidance for Specifiers and Installers. Government of Ireland.

GRIFFITHS, N. D., PETER 2020. Performance and Energy Efficiency of Traditional Buildings: Gap Analysis. London: Sustainable Traditional Building Alliance for Historic England.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.