Sustainability in Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction

Universitat Politècnica de València via edX

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Details

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Provider

edX
Pricing

Free Online Course (Audit)
Languages

English
Certificate

$39.00 Certificate Available
Duration & workload

4 weeks, 3-4 hours a week
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

Interdisciplinary Sustainable Architecture Assessment

Overview

This course offers an interdisciplinary approach to sustainabilityin Architecture. Learners will be introduced to the basic elements of sustainability assessments (first model layer), as well as trends informing the space today.

The coursework enables students to develop a conceptual neighborhood model for assessing performance and urban policies.

In the first week, participants will learn todevelop a conceptual model from the architectural elements of buildings; the basic building block of which will be the performance of materials. The second week explores methods of optimizing performance. Coursework will detail the needs and constraints inherent in selecting materials and neighborhood urban elements (the second model layer for green, blue and grey infrastructure).

In the third week, learners will develop the basic tools for introducing energy and measuring the potential impact on climate change (CO2). A new layer (third) on our neighborhood stainability model, this will be approached from a global perspective. In the fourth and finall week, the course will explore techniques for a joint assessment directly connected to policy issues.

Syllabus

Week 1: Materials relevance in buildings
Week 2: Buildings, performance, functions and materials
Week 3: Efficiency, sustainability and architecture
Week 4: Integrated design and Business Models

Taught by

Javier Orozco-Messana, Maria Valles-Planells, Elena de la Poza-Plaza, Dai Morgan, Naoko Ellis, Edmond Byrne and Kas Hemmes

Reviews

3.9 rating, based on 121 Class Central reviews

4 rating at edX based on 39 ratings

Start your review of Sustainability in Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction

Anonymous

La idea del curso y el contenido planificado me resultó interesante al inicio. Sin embargo, las expectativas creadas cayeron a la realidad en el momento de hacer el curso. Los videos, además de no agregar material adicional o al menos un link de ref…

La idea del curso y el contenido planificado me resultó interesante al inicio. Sin embargo, las expectativas creadas cayeron a la realidad en el momento de hacer el curso. Los videos, además de no agregar material adicional o al menos un link de referencia directa, son muy complicados de seguir debido al ritmo de los mismos.

Sugiero que las lecturas sean hechas en el idioma nativo de cada docente (no creo que nadie tenga problemas en leer subtítulos en inglés o en español).

Exponer a los profesionales en hacer los videos en inglés, cuando claramente no están preparados para hacerlo (se notaba que leían de alguna pantalla, pues no era fluido, o que directamente no dominaban el idioma), es algo que perjudicó cualquier intento de contenido profesional.

En otros casos, no era cuestión de idioma o manejo del inglés, pues el video de la profesora de la Universidad de Vancouver tenía un contenido muy interesante, pero también era difícil de seguir debido a que la exponente no había preparado su "clase" y se notaba a la legua que seguía un guión que iba leyendo (y francamente mal)

En algunos casos las diapositivas exhibidas eran ilegibles, y la posibilidad de seguir la lectura se hacía imposible.

Considero que la mejor parte fueron los videos del Dr. Dai Morgan y Ed Byrne. Ambos prepararon sus lecturas, fueron claros en los conceptos e hicieron muy amena la lectura, pese a ser de los videos más extensos.

Sugiero a la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia que revise el contenido de sus cursos, pues su nombre y prestigio se pone en juego con la calidad de cualquier cosa que haga pública, como este curso que dejó mucho que desear.

Les deja un cordial saludo un uruguayo desde los Estados Unidos
Muhammad Emara
12

It is quite disappointing; I feel that it may have been better if they decided on focusing on a specific topic and giving some real indepth information instead of giving a mere introduction in several topics.
It is like reading several chapter names instead of reading a whole chapter.
Anonymous

As a newbie in this area with no prior foundations, I learnt a number of new technical concepts (although not always explained in the videos) and widened my understanding of and perspectives in sustainability within the architecture field. Warning, however: the exams have absolutely no value added, most courses are not well structured, the English tough to understand at times (foreign accent) and the subtitles of the units often inaccurate. I would have preferred to take the course without the certificate but I did learn which was the initial objective!
Anonymous

As a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, I thoroughly enjoyed this course on sustainability in architecture. For the past two to three decades, sustainability has become synonymous with futuristic architectural designs. I have seen where this sustainabilit…

As a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, I thoroughly enjoyed this course on sustainability in architecture. For the past two to three decades, sustainability has become synonymous with futuristic architectural designs. I have seen where this sustainability has changed the way we do business. As a contract administrator, we are continuously seeking ways to maximize the quality inputs of our projects while at the same time minimizing or eliminating waste, which inevitably harms our environment. Interestingly enough, this course contained many facets from architectural subsystems, green infrastructure, carbon management to life cycle analysis and finally, business models for climate change.
All in all, this course has been an eye-opener, and I believe that our designers should continue to focus their attention on energy efficiency, economy and environmentally friendly designs. There is a dire need to promote sustainability in every way possible. Thanks for your time, and I am deeply indebted to all the lecturers who took the time to prepare and deliver these valuable lessons on sustainability.
Anonymous

The biggest takeaway of this course for me is about stretching ourselves to reach further and re-consider what is possible when it comes to designing more caring and thoughtful spaces for present and future generations of this planet's inhabitants, by having more open minds that accommodate interconnections, complexities and collaborations. The topics are very interesting, though some topics would have been even better if they were fleshed out with more detail, explanations, examples, etc. Overall though, it's a very worthwhile course to take :)
Anonymous

Very informative. Gives a introductory knowledge of everything which is very useful in reality.
everything is summoned up together perfectly, orderly and thoughtfully. Breaks everything in order no confusion left.
Dima Nakashidze
4

The course was quite basic in some moments and too complicated in another ones. The teachers from Spain had a really bad English so I couldn't understand anything without reading the text. the pictures had low quality so I was searching for the good ones. But the other teachers from another universities were great. So basically it's a good course, but it's still a whole room (or building I would say) for improvement.
Anonymous

Since the topic was so inspirinig I'd expected for the course presentation to be as well. The tone of voice of most of the speakers was simply not keeping my attention. Comparing to the Course I recently took from DelftX (Sustainable topic as well) this one seemed as there was not sufficeint effort made in preparation. Some of the quizes do not correspond to the lectures and I did not felt they were actually testing what you just saw. At the end of the Course I felt it was sufficient just to read prepared slides without waching videos.
Patridge Bhunu Shava
2

The course is introductory and informative. The lectures were well organised with the theory, practicals, and case studies well articulated. The myriad of topics and lecturers from different universities make for a great course. The first topics pr…

The course is introductory and informative.
The lectures were well organised with the theory, practicals, and case studies well articulated. The myriad of topics and lecturers from different universities make for a great course.
The first topics presentations were good but the actual displays were too faint and small for anyone to follow outside the course. The presentation write up thus were a pain to the eyes. This paused a serious flaw to the otherwise very informed topics. This is an area that needs serious polishing for the course to be highly rated.
The other lecturers were well prepared for their part. Student participation was poor compared to other courses on EDX. Somehow the course coordinators could come up with questions to stimulate participation as this becomes a one-sided show. The more the questions after topics or even before the better to gauge understanding of concepts.
Overall the course is fundamental for business from all sectors of any economy, start-ups and sme inclusive. I did learn a lot from all the topics presented and came out a more informed person ready to understand and stand up for sustainability practices. Thank you for the course.
Anonymous

Maybe the worse course I had on edx. It was too general that the thoughts were flying from one side to other side. Concentration needed. Some topics were just for saying, and some (energy systems) were too detailed. It was really not well organized.

P.S professors' English required more attention to understand what they say.
Anonymous

I would rate this course very positively. The course content was comprehensive and thorough, with topics presented in a clear and structured manner. What I particularly appreciated was the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical exampl…

I would rate this course very positively. The course content was comprehensive and thorough, with topics presented in a clear and structured manner. What I particularly appreciated was the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical examples. This helped me better understand how to apply what I learned in real-life situations.

The presentation of the course was also of high quality. The lectures were engaging and dynamic, with instructors explaining the subject matter enthusiastically. The materials were prepared in a clear and easy-to-understand format. Additional resources and reading materials allowed for a deeper exploration of the topic.

The interactive elements of the course, especially the discussion forums, provided an opportunity to connect with other students and learn from diverse perspectives. Assignments and quizzes helped me test my knowledge and better absorb the subject matter.

Overall, this course was a very valuable experience for me. It provided me with new knowledge and skills that will help me in my future professional development. I would highly recommend this course to other students.
Anonymous

too introductory, the information and knowledge provided were too superficial. there aren't any video or slide downloads. the topic is a wonderful one, should improve in depth of activities and content
Anonymous

Hello sir/madam,
I have learnt this course since 20/8. It makes me understand a lot of sustainability in architecture.
Thank you so much.
Adrienne Camfield

The course wasn't what I expected but covers many areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, green space, construction materials of modern architecture, innovative ideas to improve technology by reviewing older ideas and business set up. My favorite se…

The course wasn't what I expected but covers many areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, green space, construction materials of modern architecture, innovative ideas to improve technology by reviewing older ideas and business set up. My favorite section was the facades because it was new information. I am not an architect but love art and Architectural history and love to draw buildings. I live in the United States where Pres. Trump is fighting wind energy which can be sustainable depending on where you live. My rating was a 4 star but won't connect. I have been an Animation major but for $39 this was a very informative course where I gained some valuable technical information, some of what I might or might not use. The Spanish accent was great!
Anonymous

The course was such an ideal preparation for those you are planning to shift and study sustainability. This course had prepared me on the possibilities and further enhance my understanding on the concept of sustainability, green infrastructure and other relative studies that would help me further understand the basics of it which will help me to further hone my interest unto the said subject.
Kenneth Leung
2

This intermediate level course is too general without going in-depth into the topics. Some lectures are oddly specific while the rest are very superficial. The course could benefit from additional lectures/content for a more coherent and in-depth coverage of the topic.
Arun Kanakkassery Vijay
2

Thanks for the course. This course set students in the right direction of understanding sustainability not just in architecture but sustainability in various conducts and industries and finally introducing into more platforms of business.
Anonymous

The information presented was interesting and valuable. However, I had some difficulty understanding the context of the quiz and exam questions which may be as a result of language translation to English.
Anonymous

Wonderful course, as it allows us to acquire even more knowledge and understanding of the techniques used.
Anonymous

Providing very detailed information about the importance of sustainability in our field (architecture) and how to implement this knowledge in our designs was extremely helpful. For me, the most important part of this course was how they offered potential tools to enhance creativity and the motivation to explore new trends and ideas to combat climate change, which affects all of us. It is our responsibility as inhabitants of this planet.