green strategies for building design
This module is an exploration of passive sustainable strategies in architectural design. It looks at the different elements that make up architecture and how the integration of passive design strategies with these elements contribute to the quality of spatial experience within a building. Student will undertake case studies to analyse the applications of these strategies and their impact on the quality and experience of space. The understanding of the various passive sustainable design strategies will inform the students’ own studio project
project 1
Phase 1 consisted of group work, where we created presentation slides and an A0 poster to compare two buildings in an arid climate vs. a tropical climate. The two buildings chosen were the Binh Duong School, Vietnam, and the Sheikh Zayed Learning Center, UAE.
project 2
This project focused on the green strategies present in Taylor's University. We were tasked with selecting one block, and analysing what further green strategies could be implemented.
project 3
This project was integrated with Architectural Design V, to apply green strategies to the learning center being built.
reflection
Throughout this module, my understanding of sustainable architecture developed from seeing green strategies as individual features to understanding how they can shape the building as a whole. Studying Binh Duong School and the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre showed me how differently architecture can respond to climate. Despite their completely different environments, both use building form, materiality, daylighting and ventilation to improve environmental performance and user comfort.
The analysis of Block E allowed me to apply this understanding to an existing building and recognise both successful passive strategies and areas that could be improved. It made me more aware of how orientation, hardscape, shading and natural ventilation directly affect the experience and performance of a building.
These lessons were then applied to my Mesui Culinary School through site planning, daylighting, façade design, natural ventilation, landscaping and active strategies.
Overall, this module has made me more conscious of the environmental consequences behind my design decisions. Rather than treating sustainability as something added towards the end of a project, I now understand that it should be considered alongside form, programme and spatial experience from the beginning. Moving forward, I want these considerations to become a natural part of my design process, where the architecture itself responds to its climate, site and users rather than relying entirely on additional technologies.