Climate Responsive Design Studio

Upon completion of the course, students shall be able to: 

• identify and demonstrate understanding of key principles and methodologies in terms of bioclimatic design;
• retrieve, analyse and synthesise information necessary for informed design decisions and analysis;
• analyse how existing buildings can be adapted to the local climate;
• develop a design proposal and present it orally and visually in a professional manner.

The challenge of transitioning to a greener energy economy and thus tackling climate change demands profound changes within society. In light of this challenge, future engineers, architects and building professionals need to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable design principles and integrate them into their everyday practice. Climate responsive design is one of many sustainable design methodologies. The amount of energy used in a building is determined by the climate, the occupants and the building’s form and constitution. Analysis of the local climate and assessment of various means to obtaining human thermal comfort while minimising the consumption of fossil fuels begins through the use of methods for climate responsive design.

This course focuses on bioclimatic approaches in building design. The course starts with the introduction of the theoretical and working principles of bioclimatic architecture through lectures on the climate, human thermal comfort, solar heat gain and shading, natural lighting and natural ventilation in buildings. This knowledge is applied in a design project, which students work on in interdisciplinary groups. They will be asked to assess the given problem and to propose a creative solution that implements the use of bioclimatic principles.

The Swedish grades U–G.