High Performance Buildings

3.0 credits · Undergraduate

This course intends to develop a fundamental understanding of building systems and their implications for the planning, design, and operation processes, and to introduce the comprehensive concept of “high performance building”. An emphasis is placed on passive, active, and hybrid strategies and system integration for reducing the energy and resources demand and environmental impact of buildings, and creating a smart built environment for occupant safety, health, comfort, and satisfaction with experience. Topics cover building site, structural system, building envelope, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, interior system, lighting system, building acoustics, electrical system, and building controls, etc. Materials in this course help students to build a solid understanding of key building elements and performance mandates of all major building systems as the basis for further study and innovation of future-generation built environments.