Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Delivery
Synchronous Online: Learning occurs online and in real time. These "Live Sessions" take place weekly from 7 pm to 9 pm (CST). Live Sessions will count toward your participation grade. As such, it is highly recommended that you participate in real time. However, in the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session for the particular week you were unable to attend, and as a make-up assignment, complete a 1-page typed summary. Specific details and procedures on how to complete the make-up assignment can be found within each module on the "LIVE SESSION" tab.
Course Prerequisites
To succeed in this course there are some required and some preferred prerequisites.
Required Prerequisites
- Computer use proficiency
- Some knowledge on building design and operations
- ARCH 5812, ARCH 5822
Preferred Prerequisites
- Knowledge of building design (architecture or engineering degree)
- Autodesk Revit, SketchUp, or Rhino
Course Materials
You will need to purchase a one year education license ($55) of SketchUp with your OU email account through the Creation Engine. All additional required materials are in the RESOURCES: Course Materials page and are linked to the individual weekly modules' resources pages within Canvas.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
The course learning outcomes (CLOs) of ARCH 5832 align strategically with several program learning outcomes (PLOs). CLO A introduces students to fundamental concepts like the Architecture 2030 Challenge and the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, directly supporting PLO 5 on demonstrating integrated project design within this framework. CLOs B and C, which focus on using building performance analysis tools and advanced simulation techniques, align with PLOs 1 and 2, enhancing students' abilities to research, evaluate, design, and assess sustainable projects. CLO D, emphasizing the appropriate selection of software applications and tools, further reinforces PLO 2 by developing students' analytical skills in sustainable design.
By providing hands-on experience with building performance analysis tools and simulation techniques, ARCH 5832 prepares students to engage with the complex, data-driven aspects of modern sustainable architecture. This approach directly addresses the program's intent to meet the growing need for evidence-based design expertise, enabling graduates to make informed decisions and effectively communicate their design rationales to clients.
- Research - Research and evaluate emerging science and methodologies for optimizing building and human performance through the case study method.
- Design, Build, and Assess - Use analysis, tools, and methods to design, develop, select materials and assess the building systems and performance of code-compliant sustainable projects.
- Fund and Manage - Evaluate financing and life cycle cost accounting strategies used in green building initiatives.
- Account for ESG Impacts - Explain how design decisions impact society, systemic issues and the environment for all communities today and in the future.
- AIA Framework - Demonstrate integrated project design and sustainability within the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) Alignment
| CLO | Description | PLO |
|---|---|---|
| A | Basic concepts. Students will learn about basic concepts of environmental design, be introduced to the Architecture 2030 Challenge and AIA 2030 Commitment and the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, and learn about concepts that can influence their design. | 5 |
| B | Building Performance Analysis. Students will be able to use building performance analysis tools to inform design decisions at various early stages of the design process. | 2, 5 |
| C | Building Simulation. Students will use advanced analytical tools such as simulation tools, calculators, parametric models, and energy modeling applications, to conduct simple box energy modeling research on and refine their designs. | 1, 2 |
| D | Tool evaluation. Students will demonstrate an understanding of when to use different software applications, tools, and techniques. | 2 |
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Participation encompasses engagement through pre-session questions on the discussion board, active involvement in live sessions featuring discussions of popular Canvas-submitted questions, and contributions to both teacher-led and student-led discussions. | 10% |
| Quizzes | Quizzes will assess comprehension of discussed topics on weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6, each containing 10 items (multiple choice, multi-select, true/false) at 1 point per item. With a 20-minute time limit, one attempt is permitted, and quizzes are open book and open notes, due by noon on the day following the Live Session. | 15% |
| Reports | During weeks 3, 5, and 7, in teams of two, you will collaboratively produce three short reports, each valued at 100 points and assessed based on a provided rubric. | 45% |
| Final Project | You will collaboratively produce a final report in teams of three to four. Worth 100 points, and comprising 30% of your total grade, this report involves wrapping up course concepts and conducting an analysis on a chosen building, with evaluation based on a provided rubric. | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Live Session Attendance and Participation
Includes:
- Pre-session questions from discussion board
- Active participation in the Live Session:
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- Discussion of most popular questions submitted on Canvas
- A teacher-led discussion
- Student-led discussion
Quizzes
Four (4) quizzes will be administered on weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6 testing your understanding of the discussed topics. Each quiz will have 10 items at 1 point each: multiple choice, multi-select, true/false. Each quiz will have a 20-minute time limit, and students will have only one attempt. Open book and open notes allowed. Due by noon on the day after the Live Session.
Reports
Three (3) short reports will be produced on weeks 3, 5 and 7 where you get to practice using the software. Each report will be evaluated on a given rubric. Reports will be done in teams of two.
- cove.tool: an online platform that assists designers with early design decisions by evaluating the performance of the building. This is done with simple box energy modeling and daylight analysis. cove.tool has its own geometry modeling platform, but users can upload models from Revit, SketchUp or Rhino.
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- Week 2: Overview of basic concepts of cove.tool and the online platform
- Week 3: Uploads from SketchUp and Revit and performance analysis
- Sefaira: a plugin for SketchUp with a powerful online platform that assists designers with decisions at the early stages of design by providing information on the energy performance and daylight of the building.
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- Week 4: Overview of the basic concepts of Sefaira and the SketchUp component
- Week 5: Review of the energy analysis and optimization on the Web Application
- Autodesk Insight: an online platform that is used to analyze the performance of buildings during all stages of design. It is getting geometry information from a Revit model that can vary in complexity depending on the stage of the project and provide daylight information.
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- Week 6: Overview of the basic concepts of Insight and the Revit environment
- Week 7: Review of the performance analysis and Insights on the online platform.
Final Project
For the course's culmination, you will collaboratively produce a final report in teams of three to four. This report involves wrapping up course concepts and conducting an analysis on a chosen building, with evaluation based on a provided rubric. This final week of the course will focus on synthesizing the final project report and understanding how the three demonstrated software can influence the design process.
Course Policies
Communication
I will be available to answer your emails within 48 hours, Monday through Friday. Please allow enough time to get an answer before a deadline is due. I may be periodically checking emails over the weekend, but this is not a guarantee.
If your question is something that the entire group would benefit from hearing the answer, please ask it on the Course Help Board. You might even get an answer from one of your peers faster than me.
I will not be holding office hours, but I can be available for a meeting if you need specific help during the two hours before the Live Session. Please make sure to schedule a time with me at the latest the day before and I will send you a Zoom link.
Feedback
Expect to receive feedback and grades within the week following your submission.
Late Policy
Timely feedback will only be provided for work submitted by the deadline. Late submissions will incur a daily 5% grade deduction until reaching a maximum of 60%. Prompt feedback will only be available for work that is submitted on time.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Errata and Changes
Errors and omissions to this syllabus or class presentations will be revised as observed and do not constitute incomplete or late work from students. Students are responsible for bringing the professor’s attention to any and all possible errata they encounter. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and content based upon course pacing and current events that may be relevant to the material.
Additional Resources
If you need additional support or guidance in navigating Canvas, please visit the Sustainable Architecture Student Orientation Course for helpful tutorials, tips, and resources to enhance your experience with our learning management system.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|