Duration
40h Th, 50h Pr, 1d FW, 85h Proj.
Number of credits
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architectural Engineering | 8 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Architectural Project Methodology course introduces the fundamental rules of architectural composition. This second course (Methodology 2) is intended for second-year Civil Engineering-Architecture students and for bridging students (engineers and architects).
It continues the learning process of architectural composition along the rational axis of architectural design. It complements the elements of architectural programming-specifically the functional requirements-with external local performance considerations. The course covers the following topics:
- Site integration: visual approach, building on sloped terrain, incorporation into the landscape, and differentiated access.
- Climatic environment: climate data and factors that modify climate.
- Solar geometry: spherical projections and applications (site analysis, solar exposure, solar shading).
- Principles of climate-responsive design: human comfort, passive heating and cooling (solar gain, thermal mass, insulation, ventilation).
- Case studies and press reviews.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, the student will have acquired functional mastery of architecture and the fundamental rules of composition in relation to both internal and external local constraints. They will be able to analyze and design an architectural object within its context, making use of the environmental characteristics of the given site (topography, solar potential, and other general and local climatic factors).
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The ability to follow the Methodology 2 - Bioclimatic Composition course assumes prior mastery of the principles of functional and ergonomic spatial composition (Methodology 1).
The course also draws on technical concepts related to building construction (wall composition, construction joints), building materials, structural stability (load paths), as well as principles of thermodynamics as applied to buildings (heat transfer).
Consulting reference materials requires a good understanding of English, as well as familiarity with technical vocabulary in architecture and engineering.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is based on theoretical lectures complemented by practical work in the form of targeted exercises and projects.
The introduction of concepts and the application of fundamental rules of composition follow a progressive structure, in which the various elements of composition are presented, analyzed, and implemented. These concepts are gradually introduced over several theoretical sessions throughout the academic year.
The concepts covered in lectures are applied through project design assignments distributed across the year. These projects are carried out individually or in groups. They are interspersed with practical exercises designed to better evaluate and validate the different aspects of the strategies developed by the students, based on the theoretical content covered in class.
Each project thus represents an iterative integration of all components studied up to that point. The final project serves as a synthesis of the various concepts introduced over the two years of the course (Methodology 1 and Methodology 2), within a comprehensive constructive logic.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The course is taught in person and delivered in French. Attendance at both lectures and practical sessions is mandatory. Students are required to complete additional work outside of these sessions to finalize their projects.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Further information:
- Les éléments des projets de construction, Ernst Neufert, 8e Edition française, Editions Le Moniteur Paris, France, 2002.
- Various references on bioclimatic architecture (references provided during the course).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
- Remote
oral exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Formative assessment is carried out through a qualitative evaluation of the work completed, which is reviewed throughout the year. This evaluation simultaneously addresses the functional criteria stated in the brief and the quality of the composition developed by the student in each of their architectural responses. Several public presentations before a jury may be organized.
The final overall grade is obtained by weighting the results of the main assignments and projects completed during the year alongside the oral exam.
A grade below 12/20 on the final project (the most important) and/or the exam grants access to a second session, provided that all other assignments have been submitted and passed prior to the exam.
The student will have the opportunity to resubmit the concerned project-and only that project-and/or retake the exam during the second session. The corresponding grades will replace the original ones in the calculation of the overall grade. A grade below 10/20 in the second session for the final project and/or the exam will result in failing the course, as this will serve as the final disqualifying grade.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is organized in person, with half-day sessions once a week throughout the entire year (please consult the current academic year schedule on CELCAT).
In the event of confinement, lectures and practical sessions will take place in the drawing room on level 0 of building B52, Sart-Tilman campus.
All necessary precautions regarding health measures and social distancing will be observed. Students will be asked to disinfect their work surfaces before and after use.
Learning methods implemented during confinement conditions:
- Theoretical lectures will be delivered live via interactive videoconferencing;
- Project reviews will be conducted through individual or group meetings held via videoconference with interactive graphic collaboration on documents.
Evaluation methods implemented during confinement conditions:
- The final project presentation will be conducted as a remote defense;
- The oral exam will be held via individual videoconference.
Contacts
Prof. Pierre Leclercq
pierre.leclercq@uliege.be
Emilie Gilliard, assistant
emilie.gilliard@uliege.be
Guirec Ruellan, assistant
guirec.ruellan@uliege.be