Sustainable Building Design (edX)

Meeting growing global energy demand, while mitigating climate change and environmental impacts, requires a large-scale transition to clean, sustainable energy systems. Students and professionals around the world must prepare for careers in this future energy landscape, gaining relevant skills and knowledge to expedite the transformation in industry, government and nongovernmental organizations, academia, and nonprofits.

The building sector represents a large percentage of overall energy consumption, and contributes 40% of the carbon emissions driving climate change. Yet buildings also offer opportunities for substantial, economical energy efficiency gains. From retrofit projects to new construction, buildings require a context-specific design process that integrates efficiency strategies and technologies.

The primary focus of this course is the study of the thermal and luminous behavior of buildings. You'll examine the basic scientific principles underlying these phenomena, and use computer-aided design software and climate data to explore the role light and energy can play in shaping architecture.

These efficiency design elements are critical to the larger challenge of producing energy for a growing population while reducing carbon emissions.

This course is part of the Future Energy Systems XSeries.

Prerequisites

- Strong English language skills

- Ability to perform basic mathematical operations

- Undergraduate study of architecture, physics, environmental science, sustainability, and/or engineering helpful

- Some experience with computer-aided design helpful

What you'll learn

- Understand the scientific principles underlying the thermal and luminous behavior of buildings

- Learn to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a range of technologies for creating comfortable indoor environments

Syllabus

Week 1 - Energy Use in Buildings

- Course Introduction

- Assignment: Energy Benchmarking

Week 2 - Understanding Climate

- Solar Radiation

- Wind, Temperature, and Relative Humidity

- Assignment: Direct Shading

Week 3 - Designing with Climate

- Thermal Comfort

- Assignment: Thermal Comfort

Week 4 - Daylighting

- Active Solar

- Light and Human Vision

- Assignment: PV Study

Week 5 - Daylight Simulations

- Daylight Simulations and Availability Metrics

- Material Surfaces

- Assignment: Daylight Availability

Week 6 - Electric Lighting

- Visual Comfort

- Electric Lighting and Occupant Behavior

- Assignment: Glare and Electric Lighting

Week 7 - Heat Flow

- Thermal Mass and Heat Flow

- Insulation Materials and Window Technologies

- Assignment: Thermal Mass

Week 8 - Thermal Loads

- Shading and Integrated Façade Design

- Ventilation

- Assignment: Natural Ventilation

Week 9 - Thermal Simulations

- Internal Gains and Load Calculations

- Assignment: Internal Gains

Week 10 - Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation (HVAC)

- HVAC for Small Buildings

- HVAC for Large Buildings

Weeks 11 - 12 Designing a Sustainable Building

- Assignment: Final project: Designing a Sustainable Building

Week 13 - Grading Final Project

- Peer review final design projects