702-465 Environmental Systems

Admission to the B.Arch or BPC program.

This subject covers key elements of building services and sustainability. The services component of the subject (50%) includes refrigeration, heating and air handling plant; air distribution; energy efficiency and documentation of air-conditioning system designs; nonresidential electrical, telecommunications, transportation and building management systems; special servicing conditions including hospitals, auditoria, industrial buildings, commercial kitchen planning and district services. The sustainability component of the subject (50%) includes design for daylighting, natural ventilation and mixed mode systems, displacement ventilation, evaporative cooling and radiant cooling systems, active solar heating and cooling systems; indooor air quality, environmental comfort and post-occupancy evaluation; principles of room acoustics and sound isolation.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a working familiarity with both passive and active systems of environmental control used in commercial and institutional buildings.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Application of calculation methods.

• Correct use of technical terminology.

• Interpersonal skills and communication with consultants.

One two-hour examination (70%). Exercises (which may include written and drawn assignments, class presentations etc.) equivalent to not more than 3000 words (30%). A grade of at least 40% must be achieved in the final examination in order to pass the subject.

• R.P. Parlour, Building Services: A guide to integrated design: Engineering for architects. Pymble NSW Integral Publishing (2000).