The Green Strategies Assignment 2 module delves into the crucial principles and theories behind passive green building design, emphasizing the importance of increasing resource efficiency—particularly in energy, water, and materials—while significantly reducing the environmental footprint of buildings throughout their lifecycle. This module encourages students to consider the broader implications of their design choices by focusing on the sustainable integration of site planning, construction, operation, and maintenance practices.
As part of this assignment, students will engage in a comprehensive exploration of green building strategies, beginning with a visit to a green building to observe and reflect on sustainable practices in action. Following this, students will prepare a reflective write-up that synthesizes their observations from the visit and insights gained from previous coursework, with an emphasis on how these strategies can be effectively applied to their own architectural projects.
The module is designed to foster a deep understanding of how climate and cultural contexts influence sustainable design and its impact on both space and user experience. Students will be tasked with incorporating both passive and active green building strategies into their final studio projects, leveraging their knowledge from previous assignments, particularly in areas such as site planning, daylighting, façade design, natural ventilation, strategic landscaping, and renewable energy.
To demonstrate their learning and application of these strategies, students will compile a detailed A4 reflective write-up, alongside an A3 design report. These documents will not only articulate their design processes and final proposals but will also include relevant drawings, diagrams, and infographics. The assignment underscores the importance of a holistic approach to green building, preparing students to create designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible and sustainable.