module specification

The module considers the environmental and energy considerations associated with timber buildings, both during their construction and lifetime use. The content contributes to an overall understanding of the environmental issues and design considerations associated with timber technology.

The module aims to equip you with:
• knowledge of the relation of timber buildings to the global environmental crisis;
• knowledge of the principles of embodied energy, wood product certification, life-cycle assessment and energy efficiency needed to achieve low-energy design in timber buildings;
• skills to assess data on embodied energy, energy efficiency and post-occupancy performance of timber buildings;
• skills to analyse low-energy design approaches through a timber building case study.

N/A

The syllabus covers the following key syllabus areas:
• embodied carbon, embodied energy, life cycle assessment and certification of timber products;
• timber buildings and thermal efficiency;
• achieving air-tightness in timber buildings;
• timber buildings and post-occupancy data;
• low-energy design approaches for timber building;
• sources of data regarding energy efficiency and environmental considerations;
• impact of timber building systems on the environment.

Learning Outcomes 1-5

Scheduled teaching ensures that independent study is effective and addresses the learning outcomes and assessment task. Students are expected, and have the opportunity, to continue with their studies outside of scheduled classes. There will be a range of learning strategies deployed and individual learning styles will be accommodated. The module’s learning outcomes, its contents and delivery, have been scrutinised and will be regularly reviewed to ensure an inclusive approach to pedagogic practice.
The module and course use the University’s blended learning platform to support and reinforce learning, to foster peer-to-peer communication and to facilitate tutorial support for students. Reflective learning is promoted through assessment items and interim formative feedback points that ask students to reflect on their progress, seek help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes, and make recommendations to themselves for future development. Throughout the module, students build a body of work, including reflections on progress and achievement.

The School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the curriculum supports students’ personal development planning. Through these initiatives, students are increasingly able, as they progress from year to year, to understand the professional environment of their disciplines, the various opportunities available to them, and how to shape their learning according to their ambitions.

On successful completion of this module you will have developed the knowledge and skills to:

1. appraise and compare building systems, materials and principles of energy efficiency in timber building design;
2. demonstrate an understanding of embodied carbon and embodied energy in the context of timber product manufacture, transportation and use in the built environment;
3. critically analyse post-occupancy data in relation to technical building design;
4. utilise and appraise case study and building precedent research sources;
5. communicate technical knowledge of sustainability in the context of the built environment and analytical comparisons between construction processes to professional and technical audiences.

Case Study Report:
You will produce a concise, illustrated report (1500 words) demonstrating how a timber case study building addresses each of the key syllabus areas by discussing the building’s approach to:

• embodied carbon and energy through timber products, including carbon sequestration;
• thermal efficiency and impact on operational energy use;
• air-tightness and impact on operational energy use;
• post-occupancy performance in terms of operational energy use and embodied energy through maintenance.

The report will communicate how the case study building’s energy performance contributes to wider issues of timber technology and environmentally responsible design. It must include sufficient detailed drawings, diagrams, models, simulations, environmental analysis, material samples, performance specifications and components to fully illustrate the strategies described.

The report will be a critical study that communicates your analysis of the key syllabus areas to professional and technical audiences.

Ching, F.D.K. and Shapiro, I.M. (2014) Green building illustrated, Hoboken: Wiley

Deplazes, A. ed. (2013) Constructing Architecture: Materials, Processes, Structures a Handbook: 3rd edn. Basel: Birkhauser Verlag AG

El khouli, S., John, V. & Zeumer, M. (2015). Sustainable Construction Techniques. From structural design to interior fit-out: Assessing and improving the environmental impact of buildings. München: Detail.

Herzog, T. and others (2004) Timber Construction manual, Boston: Birkhauser Verlag AG

Heywood, H. (2013) 101 Rules of Thumb for Low Energy Architecture, London: RIBA Enterprises

Heywood, H. (2015) 101 Rules of Thumb for Sustainable Buildings and Cities, Oxford: RIBA Enterprises

Kwok, A. G., & Grondzik, W. (2018). The green studio handbook: Environmental strategies for schematic design. New York: Routledge.

Lancashire, R. and Taylor. L. (2012) Innovative Timber Construction. New Ways to Achieve Energy Efficiency, High Wycombe: TRADA

Lyons, A. (2014) Materials for Architects and Builders, 5th edn, London: Routledge

Moxon, S. (2012) Sustainability in Interior Design, London: Laurence King Publishing

Pelsmakers, S. (2014) The Environmental Design Pocketbook, London: RIBA Enterprises
Tam, V.Y. and Le, K.N. (2019) Sustainable Construction Technologies: Life-Cycle Assessment. London: Butterworth-Hinemann

Richarz, C. & Schulz, C. (2013). Energy efficiency refurbishments. Principles, Details, Case studies. München: Detail.

TRADA, (2011) Low Energy Timber Frame Buildings: Designing for High Performance 2nd edition, High Wycombe: The Timber Research & Development Association.

Additional:
Ching, F.D.K. (2013) Building Structures Illustrated: Patterns, Systems, and Design. Hoboken: Wiley

McMullin, P.W., and Price, J.S. eds. (2016) Introduction to Structures. London: Routledge

Ross, A., Baden-Powell, C. and Hetreed, J. (2008) Architect’s Pocket Book, 3rd edn. Oxford: Architectural Press

Websites:
circularecology.com
energysavingtrust.org.uk
greenspec.co.uk
greenpeace.org.uk (Good Wood Guide)
wrap.org.uk