2022-2023 / ARCH0557-1

Sciences and techniques 3: Performance-based approach to existing constructions

Duration

40h Th

Number of credits

 Master in architecture (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Francois Laurent, N..., Sophie Trachte

Coordinator

Sophie Trachte

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course «Science and Techniques 3, Performance approach in existing constructions» aims  to consider the renovation of the existing built stock in a global approach combining comfort improvement and energy performance, limiting the environmental impact of this renovation and promoting the reuse and circularity of buildings materials and components.

The question asked is: How can we today renovate the existing built stock taking into account the following issues:

  • The issue of Maintenance and Conservation;
  • The issue of Comfort and energy performance improvement
  • The issue of circularity and reuse: how to make the most of existing elements in situ, how to reintroduce reuse materials, how to envisage reversible solutions, how to avoid waste
  • The Environmental issues: how to reduce the overall environmental impact
The course aims at the acquisition of a reflexive approach to renovation allowing to integrate and combine these different issues in the architecture project. The  approach is based on a practical case, and is supported by theoretical inputs and the use of tools/software that promote the continuous evaluation of conceptual choices.

The courses are structured in 10 sessions of 4:00 am. The following sessions are organized as follows:

  • 1 hour of theoretical contributions or manipulation of tools/software (in audience)
  • 3 hours of practical exercise in the architecture project (workshop or studio)
Content:

  • Introduction to renovation works: issues, regulations, multicriteria approach
  • Introduction to circular design and building, introduction to reuse in architectural approach
  • Statements, diagnosis, pathologies;
  • Structure: old, new, demolition works
  • Programmatic potential, spatial organization and comfort;
  • Retrofitting and energy measures on the envelope and their environmental/circular assessment;
  • Retrofitting and nergy measures on technical systems;
  • The development of a roadmap for renovation, in stages.
The course sessions will be complemented by three webinars organized on the noon time, with external experts.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this teaching unit, students will be able to:

  • Identify, analyze and understand the existing building and all of these material and technical components;
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of a building in terms of spatial organization and future adaptability, structure, comfort and energy performance;
  • Propose pertinent renovation objectives;
  • Formulate and prioritize retrofit and/or optimization measures on the envelope and on the technical systems and justify their interest;
  • Develop a comprehensive (and phase by phase) renovation strategy combining envelope and systems measures and including constructive and technological choices;
  • Assess the impact of a renovation strategy on the environment (environmental assessment via TOTEM) and on the circularity of materials.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The reflexive approach proposed is based on set of skills and knowledge acquired by students in the three main areas of construction/ structure/ comfort during the years of bachelor and master 1, and this, through the Building Technology  (1 to 6) and Science and Technology (1 and 2) lectures.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The learning activities are organised around a continuous exercise of retrofit strategy design, based on a real case study. This design exercice is the main theme of the teaching unit and the basis for the evaluation. 

These activities are complemented by three webinars on lunch time with speakers and experts from outside the Faculty. These webinars are optional but highly recommended!

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

Face-to-face course

Recommended or required readings

Presentation slides are provided for each course on eCampus.

A bibliography adapted to the content provided is indicated during the session.

Technical documents and/or tools, such as Excel spreadsheets, to be used during certain sessions, are sent a week in advance and available online on eCampus.

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, several exercises will be asked of the student groups. These 4 exercises will be an integral part of the evaluation:

  • Building Survey Summary and Diagnostic Exercise 
  • Structure Exercise 
  • Envelope Renovation Exercise (Environmental and Circular Selection and Assessment)
  • Exercise on the systems (heating, ventilation, ...) 
Each student group 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 4 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 January

Groups that have not presented 3 of the 4 exercises at the end of December 2022 will not be able to access the second session

A single note is assigned to the entire group.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

In order to best organize your group functioning, you are advised to

  • choose your teammates according to your respective architecture workshops: it will be more easy for three students with the same architecture workshop to find moments of exchange between the sessions
  • participate and work actively in groups during the workshop sessions and ask all your questions to your teachers. In this way, there will remain only a work of synthesis and of putting to order to realize in autonomy
If ERASMUS students are present, we ask you to include them in your groups so that they can have a real support in the organization of the course and students referring to the Faculty

Contacts

Sophie Trachte - sophie.trachte@uliege.be

François Laurent - flaurent@uliege.be 

Association of one or more MOOCs