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2025-2026 / ARCH3275-1

Sustainable building construction techniques: elements

Duration

16h Th, 36h Pr

Number of credits

 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architectural Engineering5 crédits 
 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering5 crédits 

Lecturer

Shady Attia

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

This course offers an in-depth study of sustainable building techniques, with a focus on their fundamental principles. It addresses both the material aspects of construction and the overall construction approach, while introducing basic concepts related to various materials and their implementation.

The course is structured into three parts - Design and Materials, Construction Timeline, and Construction Details - organized in a logical sequence that facilitates mutual understanding of the covered concepts and enables mastery of their interdependencies.

  • Design, sustainable construction, and life cycle analysis of buildings;

  • Construction elements;

  • Principles of sustainable construction techniques.
The theoretical part of the course introduces technical criteria as well as construction and material-related concepts linked to sustainable architecture. It highlights the importance of a critical approach to acquired knowledge in order to support ongoing adaptation to new environmental and regulatory challenges.

Concepts are applied through small exercises, which also encourage a personal research approach. Independent reading of technical references is essential and represents a skill each student is encouraged to develop.

Special attention is given to the analysis of construction joints (detailing), using an integrated approach aimed at simultaneously meeting the requirements for structural stability, insulation, airtightness, and architectural quality.

The course also emphasizes the concept of passive construction, directly linked to upcoming energy regulations in the sector. Practical exercises must incorporate the criteria imposed by this contemporary approach.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

  • Observe and represent a construction system;

  • Understand load-bearing and envelope systems and processes;

  • Know the main construction materials and their implementation techniques;

  • Read and interpret technical drawings;

  • Apply and propose architectural solutions based on different construction systems.

The course also aims to enable the student to:

  • Inventory: identify and understand common construction systems;

  • Compare: recognize and differentiate technical solutions;

  • Name: identify and name the different parts of a built assembly;

  • Proportion: materialize and organize the various components of a building;

  • Design: compose and communicate constructive solutions;

  • Create and design a building at an appropriate construction scale (modules, proportions, dimensions, thicknesses);

  • Work independently, learning to consult and use technical resources found through personal initiative.

The complete list of learning outcomes for this course is available at:
https://www.programmes.uliege.be/cocoon/20182019/formations/descr/A1ICAR01.html

This course contributes to the following learning outcomes of the Bachelor in Civil Engineering program: I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, IV.2, V.1, V.2, VI.1, and VII.3.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is delivered exclusively in person, from September to December.

Activities: theoretical lectures, practical work, and construction site or project visits.

Students must register for the course and attend all sessions.

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

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face to face contact (lectures and excercises) from September untill December

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Other site(s) used for course materials
- G-Drive (https://shorturl.at/0mA8z)


Further information:

The slides accompanying the oral presentations are available in PDF format.

Coursebook: S. Attia, Techniques de Construction Durable des Bâtiments I -Elements, Book distributed by the Central des Cours CDC, including all the theories and exercises of the course.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

A written exam is organized for the theoretical part and accounts for 40% of the final grade.
The evaluation of the practical work represents the remaining 60% of the overall grade.

Students who have not completed all mandatory activities may not be admitted to the exam (if one is organized). The absence of required elements makes it impossible to assign a numerical grade; in such cases, a grade of "A" (absence) will be recorded, unless a specific justification is provided, reviewed fairly by the instructor, and formally accepted.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Students must register for this course and attend all sessions.

Contacts

Shady Attia, Ph.D., USGBC Faculty and LEED Accredited Professional  Prof. in Sustainable Architecture & Building Technology Head of Sustainable Building Design (SBD) Lab
ArGEnCo Dept., Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Liège
Batiment 52, Bureau: (0/542)  Quartier Polytech 1, Allée de la Découverte 9 4000 Liège, Belgique
Tél:  +32 43.66.91.55 - email: shady.attia@uliege.be http://www.sbd.ulg.ac.be/ 

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