2022-2023 / ARCH0556-1

Sciences and techniques 2: Performance-based approach to new constructions

Duration

40h Th

Number of credits

 Master in architecture (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Anne Dengis, Vincent Servais, Sophie Trachte

Coordinator

Sophie Trachte

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The objective of the course "Sciences et Techniques 2 - Approche perfromancielle des nouvelles construction" is to consider architectural design from a perspective of structural, comfort and energy performance while limiting the environmental and financial impact and promoting the reuse and circularity of materials.

The main question asked is: «How can we design and build today in an adaptable, circular, comfortable and energy efficient way while limiting the environmental and financial impact».

The course aims at the acquisition of a reflective design approach allowing to integrate and combine these different issues in the architectural project.This approach is based on a practical case study, and supported by both theoretical contributions and use of tools/software that promote the continuous evaluation of design choices. The different topics of the course (structure, comfort, energy performance, circularity and environmental performance) will be addressed in stages and then integrated systemically into the project.

are structured in 10 sessions of 4:00. Each session is introduced by an hour of theoretical input or presentation of tools and then develops in the form of an exercise (application in the architetural project)

The course sessions are completed by individual and independent work, outside of the sessions organized by the teachers

Content

  • Analysis of the structural system and proposal of an alternative
  • Flexibility and adaptability of a proposed structural system (spatial reversibility)
  • Design and construction of a circular and reversible facade (technical reversibility)
  • Energy performance of the envelope
  • Energy performance: technical systems and renewable energy production
  • Introduction to Environmental Assessment
  • Introduction to Financial Evaluation 


     

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this teaching unit, students will have the capacity (skills) to:

  • Analyze, understand and propose a structural system, make it more adaptable and circular and limit its environmental impact;
  • Analyze and understand the spatial organization of a dwelling and make it more flexible and adaptable to future changes in use;
  • Formulate, propose and integrate into the project, choices of constructive systems and building materials for the envelope that meet issues of comfort, energy performance, environmental performance and technical reversibility;
  • Consider the use of reusable materials in wall's compositions;
  • Translate the constructive system and building material selection through technical details that ensure continuity of insulation and water/air-tightness;
  • Assess the energy performance of the envelope (U-value, need for heat, risk of overheating, etc.)
  • Assess the environmental impact of constructive solutions and wall's compositions (environmental assessment via TOTEM) and on the circularity of materials;
  • Estimate the financial cost of proposed constructive solutions;
  • Find and analyze technical documents (technical sheets, labels, etc.)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The reflexive approach proposed is based on a set of skills and knowledge ,in the three main areas (construction/ structure/ comfort), acquired during the years of bachelor and master 1, and this through the Building Technology courses (1 to 6) and Science and Technology (1).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The learning activities are organized around a continuous architectural design exercise, based on a case study. This exercise is the main theme of the teaching unit and the basis for the evaluation. It is fed by:

  • Tutoring sessions, in the form of tables led by the teachers;
  • Lecture sessions presenting theoretical concepts, technical devices and support tools available. These sessions are delivered by teachers and/or experts in the field;
  • Assessment exercices using various tools and softwares
  • Course slides and reference documents (books, professional documentation, tools, websites, etc.)
 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Recommended or required readings

xxx

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

The course is evaluated on the basis of a group work (3 or 4 students). 

Throughout the course, exercises will be requested from student groups. These exercises allow continuity in the reflexive approach and are an integral part of the evaluation:

  • Exercise 01 - Structure: analysis and alternative proposal
  • Exercise 02 - Building Envelope / Systems and Materials / Energy Performance
  • Exercise 03 - Environmental Assessment and Envelope Circular
  • Exercise 04 - Technical systems and energy performance
  • Exercice 05 - Financial Estimate and Literature Search
Each group of students will also be asked to produce a technical text and graphic report presenting the synthesis of the results of the different stages of the reflexive approach. A more detailed statement will be available on eCampus.

All 5 exercises must have been delivered on ecampus by the dates set by the teachers, in order to be able to present the final report in June.

Groups that have not presented at least 4 of the 5 exercises in June will not be able to access the second session.

A single note is assigned to the entire group.

We draw your attention to the fact that in the second session, the work will have to be done individually, in the form of a report containing the various themes and exercises seen during the course. 

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

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Contacts

Construction: Anne Dengis - adengis@uliege.be

Structure: Vincent Servais - vservais@uliege.be

Confort / PEB / Environmental performance / Circular design: sophie.trachte@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs