Topic outline

  • Let´s measure sustainability in the built environment!

    Building site and trees

    This course will equip you with pragmatic, hands-on skills for assessing and quantifying various aspects of sustainability in the built environment. During the spring semester, you will analyse material flows, circularity, energy performance, life cycle carbon footprint and green area factor of one small building. The emphasis will be on practical utilisation of tools and in understanding of the results of the analyses.

    The course consists of five modules: 

    1. Material flows
    2. Energy simulation
    3. Life cycle assessment
    4. Green area factor
    5. Reporting and reflection

    Each of the module consists of short tutorial lectures and practical assessment exercises, through which you will learn how to use different tools for analyses. During these exercises, you will learn to measure and manage the critical aspects of sustainability in daily design work. Introduction to these basic tools also builds capacity for exploring other quantitative, qualitative or hybrid assessment schemes or policy requirements.

    The tools we will be using include:
    • ArchiCad and Revit
    • One Click LCA
    • IDA-ICE ESBO
    • Green area factor

    The course a is linked to the hands-on course ARK-E3020 Sustainable Design Principles and complements the topical overview provided by the bachelor-level course ARK-C3000 Introduction to Sustainable Design.

    What will you need for the course?

    • Understanding on building design (materials and structures)
    • Ability to work with Building Information Model (ArchiCad or Revit environment)
    • Dedication to participate into the weekly sessions