Introduction to interdisciplinary sustainable architecture

This course offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of sustainability in architectural practice. Participants will gain foundational knowledge in the core components of sustainability evaluation (forming the initial analytical layer), alongside an understanding of contemporary trends shaping this field. The curriculum is designed to empower students to construct a theoretical model of a neighborhood, enabling the assessment of performance metrics and urban planning strategies. The inaugural week focuses on equipping participants with the skills to build this conceptual model, starting from a building's fundamental architectural components, with a particular emphasis on material performance. The subsequent week delves into methodologies for optimizing this performance. Course content will elaborate on the specific requirements and limitations involved in selecting both building materials and urban infrastructure elements at the neighborhood scale (comprising the second analytical layer for green, blue, and gray infrastructure). During the third week, learners will acquire essential tools for integrating energy considerations and quantifying their potential impact on climate change (specifically CO2 emissions). This introduces a new, third layer to our neighborhood sustainability model, approached from a global viewpoint. In the concluding fourth week, the course will investigate techniques for conducting a unified assessment, directly linking findings to relevant policy frameworks.