- The Science of Sustainable Buildings

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: Rob Knapp (physics, ecological design) Major areas of study include environmental physics, civil and mechanical engineering, history of world architecture and sustainable building and design. All science content is lower-division science credit. Class Standing: This all-level program offers appropriate support for freshmen as well as supporting and encouraging those ready for advanced work. Prerequisites: There are no specific subject prerequisites, but ability to calculate and read carefully will be essential. How do buildings stand up How do you design buildings for earthquakes, solar energy, or good indoor air How do basic services like electricity or plumbing actually work What do natural organisms, like plants or animals, have to teach us about good ways to build These are some of the questions this program will consider. The emphasis will be on sustainable designs that have been proven in real-world projects. The work will cover the basic scientific concepts that affect the structure and operation of buildings and the basic techniques by which they are used in designing or analyzing buildings. The program should be useful both to students considering further study of architecture or engineering, and equally to students who want to learn some college-level science with important real-world applications. We will study both new and old approaches to building design. Since both high technology and traditional indigenous methods have important insights and examples to contribute, we will try to understand the natural forces and processes at work in all of them. Most topics will include an introduction to the basic estimating techniques used by professionals in this area. We will also consider the values embodied in the various approaches we study, as expressed in the symbolism, aesthetics and political economy associated with them. For example, we may try to understand and evaluate the ways in which southwest England's Eden Project has been shaped by a mix of commercial and environmental values. Topics will include structures, heating, light, sound, solar and other forms of energy and sustainable materials, and we will use illustrated lectures, skill workshops, site visits and book seminars to address them. There will be assignments to make daylight models, measure household energy use, practice with design estimating techniques and do research on a significant recent building, in addition to weekly readings in a background text as well as related books and articles. Students can expect to build skill in quantitative reasoning, descriptive writing, architectural drawing and sustainable design methods. There will also be some attention to model-building and computer-based graphics. Total: 16 credits. Enrollment: 24 Special Expenses: Approximately $25 to $50 for drawing supplies; approximately $20 for one overnight field trip in mid-quarter; as well as purchase of a scientific calculator (TI-30XA or equivalent). Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in applied physical sciences, architecture, sustainability and engineering. This program is also listed under Programs for Freshmen; Environmental Studies; and Expressive Arts.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

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