Study information

Sustainable Architecture - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLESustainable Architecture CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENE3010 MODULE CONVENERProf Justin Hinshelwood (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
A module to explore sustainability in the built environment. How can land, building materials, resources and energy be employed to a community’s advantage but with low levels of long term, irreversible and environmental impact? The module looks for design ingenuity, sustainable building practices, lowering of energy and resource demand, but without necessarily any fall in building quality or enjoyment! Building regulations and safety must still be met ….. and how can we measure the sustainability and performance of a building?
 
Many of the subjects modules in years 1, 2 and 3 of the Renewable Energy undergraduate degree course are considered Co-requisite and usefully beneficial to this module (see towards the end of this document). Similarly the Renewable Energy module  within the MSc postgraduate course is considered co-requisite.
 
Co-requisite module note: Many of the Renewable Energy year-1 to 3 undergrad, and term-1 MSc postgrad, modules are valuable co-requisite modules, but none are absolutely essential to allow a good student to successfully study this module.
 
AIMS - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop architectural design capability in candidates, building on acquired knowledge of Energy Management principles and practice covered in Year 2 (undergraduate programmes) and Term-1 for MSc postgraduate.
 
It aims to develop knowledge and understanding of new material on architectural design principles and processes (at an introductory level), sustainable construction materials and sustainable construction practice and to develop capability in the design of buildings integrated renewable energy systems.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes (www.engc.org.uk/ahep). The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes taught and assessed on this module are specified by the codes below.

On successfully completing the module, you will be able to …
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
1 Appreciate an urgent need for a more sustainable built environment … for all. Explore how different societies interpret the term sustainable within a context of domestic, communal, commercial, and industrial building. (M8, M11);
2 Explore various building styles, simple and complex solutions, ranges of construction materials, codes of practice, and techniques to measure and assess a building’s performance and outcome. (M2, M3, M10);
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
3 Implement design and engineering ideas to form a justified and rigorous solution. Assess practical limitations of such solutions. (M2, M3, M10);
4 Compare and contrast competing design choices and technologies. Link technical and research findings to actual applied practice. (M2, M10);
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
 
5 Interact and work effectively in a group and as part of a design team. Learn independently and cooperatively. Communicate ideas effectively by written and oral means. (M16, M17);
6 Analyse Data. Review and appraise academic and research literature. (M2, M3);

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  • An introduction to the module. Aims, outcomes, assignment projects.
  • Exploration of sustainability. Definitions and options.
  • Employing the environment to optimal efficiency.
  • A brief review of sustainable, vernacular building design.
  • The choice of construction materials – high or low thermal mass. Building response. Insulation, air tightness and quality. Masonry, stone, timber, cob, rammed-earth, straw and many others!
  • The Passivhaus concept as a means to achieve energy efficiency and thermal comfort within a building.
  • The whole package of sustainable design; balancing what can be achieved to available resource.
  • The concept of building control and  building regulation as a means to continually improve building quality and performance.
  • The many components that form a building envelope.
  • The Systems & Services that are installed and operate within the envelope – a brief introduction to CIBSE – the professional body that a fair number of RE students select and join.
  • Building physics, building performance a number of the important parameters.
  • Measuring and assessing building performance – SBEM, BREEAM, Passivhaus values – quantitative and qualitative.
  • Incorporation of primarily energy-saving and sustainable design, and then building integrated renewable energy.
  • A trip to NSBRC – The National Self Build and Renovation Centre, Swindon.
  • A visit to Jubilee Wharf – ZED design – Penryn.
  • – A tour of various buildings on Penryn campus, and to Frame UK timber frame manufacturers, Redruth.
  • Project Presentations – a half day event in which each design team will present their completed project and ideas to the whole group.
  • If group visits need to be cancelled for any reason, an equivalent activity will be made available.
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 52 Guided Independent Study 98 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20 Lecture videos and pre-prepared materials 
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20 Seminars and discussions
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 12 Visits
Guided independent study 98 Guided reading, personal study, and considerably teamwork to achieve the architectural sustainable design set within the assignment brief

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Tutoring both individually and in Team throughout the 11 week design process Approximately 30 minutes weekly 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Oral feedback appraisal
Set pieces of formative research- some of which to be presented and discussed with peers in-class Approximately 30 minutes weekly 1, 2, 4, and 5  Oral feedback appraisal
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Group: two x A1 project design posters 30 1,500 words equivalent 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Written appraisal
Group: Oral and/or PowerPoint presentation of the design 20 1,000 word equivalent 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Written appraisal
Individual: Written report 50 1,500 words + diagrams 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Written appraisal


 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
The group-work posters, presentation and individual report – as detailed above.



 
4000 word equivalent
 
Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment – which may need to encompass just one component, two components, or all three components of the assessment, depending upon the candidate’s situation. 
 
The referred/deferred assignment work will take the form of a single piece of written report-work, configured to reflect elements of poster-design work, project-presentation, and /or independent project appraisal with illustrations – to equivalently mirror assignment elements still to be assessed and passed. The assignment set builds-on and appraises in detail either the candidate’s existing own-Group building-design, or if a personal group design is not available, a selected parallel group-design will be employed, appraised and developed instead.       
 
 1 to 6 August Ref/Def period
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As in section above; If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) – module ENE3010 Sustainable Architecture ELE web-pages
 
Lecture materials – notes and pre-recorded mini-lectures.
 
Links to chosen texts, journal articles, web pages, expert institutions, media programmes and videos to support and extensively explore the subject material.
Details of the course assignments, design-brief, tasks and assessments.
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Christina Hopfe, Robert McLeod (editors) The Passivhaus designer’s manual Routledge 2015 978-0-415-52269-4
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Saturday 9th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 16th April 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Architecture; Building Design; Sustainable.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.