module specification

The importance of sustainable development is increasingly acknowledged and accepted throughout society, but we still need to identify tangible ways sustainable developments can be implemented in practice. For construction professionals the challenge is to understand how to achieve compliance with the ever-stringent operational energy allowances for both residential and commercial buildings and other environmental targets. 

Through studying this module, you will gain the knowledge and skills to identify, develop, test, and propose specific responses to a range of pressing sustainability challenges. These responses may be rooted in meeting the global Sustainable Development Goals, or in the need for local and global urgent actions driven by multiple factors including the climate change emergency, population growth, water shortages, population shifts, conflict, and urbanisation. The module will also consider the role infrastructure plays in our future built environment, infrastructure which must provide sustainable and globally available benefits through, for example the fair distribution of access to water, energy, waste management, and transport.  Using case studies, the module will show how guiding principles for sustainable development can deliver sustainable solutions in practice. You will study the process of change and innovation in the built environment and consider the drivers which are demanding we move quickly and where appropriate challenge outdated traditions or embrace long held but underused traditional building techniques.

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• recognise the wider sustainability context and how this influences the design and construction of residential, commercial and infrastructure assets within the built environment.
• understand the drivers behind the move towards low operation energy buildings, including legislation and regulations in the UK and beyond.
• assess the contribution passive and active design has on operational energy demands.
• appraise the input of renewables at local, national, and global scales
• understand domestic and commercial building services including lighting, ventilation, heating, water, drainage, and power.
• undertake energy demand calculations for both residential and commercial building at both an elemental level and a whole building level.
• understand the fundamental science behind heat transfer in buildings.
• evaluate the contribution of quality control during the construction process. including its influence on airtightness, cold bridging, condensation, and thermal performance of buildings.
• appraise and advise on both modern and traditional construction techniques and appropriate building services.

The syllabus is informed by the course syllabus and reading material alongside contemporary issues, research, and practice within the built environment. Topics will include:
• Sustainable Built Environments (LO3,4)
• The Building Regulations, including:  (LO1,2,5)
o ADF Ventilation
o AD G Sanitation
o ADJ Combustion appliances and fuel storage
o ADL Conservation of Fuel and Power
o ADO Overheating
o ADP Electrical Safety
o ADS Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles
• Passive Design theory and practice (LO4)
• Heat transfer within buildings (LO3,4,5)
• Quality control (LO4)
• Renewable technologies (LO4)
• Sustainable infrastructures (LO4)
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (LO6)
• Fabric first approaches to sustainable building construction and operation (LO4)
• Stakeholder contributions to a sustainable built environment (LO6)

The contact sessions will encourage students to discuss ideas and consider a variety of case studies from the UK and around the globe. Study will be supported via online lectures, tutorials, seminars, and guided asynchronous activities. Where appropriate, activities will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access.

A blended/ technology enhanced learning approach will be employed in the delivery of this module. Formal lectures will introduce and develop themes that relate to the core subject. The delivery of the module will be broken down into key elements that have discrete tasks.

Workshops and seminars will be held in which students will engage in practical activities making use of industry relevant building energy modelling software to measure the impact of their proposals on the operational energy demand of both residential and commercial buildings. The use of case studies from around the world stimulates discussion and helps them to develop a deep understanding of environmental science and sustainability in context and undertake authentic formative activities to gain an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic sector.

Problem based learning will be used to encourage independent learning through proposing a problem which is complex with more than one right answer, challenging the students to work individually and in small groups to develop solutions, thereby developing their problem-solving abilities.  Staff will act as facilitators throughout the activities. Tasks will be performed through group and independent study, to develop critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis in the area of the commercial management of construction projects. Throughout the module student output’s will be reviewed, and formative feedback will be given to ensure clarity and comprehension.

The learning and teaching in classes will be supported by the University’s VLE and a blended learning approach, sharing class materials, recommended reading, and case studies. Group tutorials will also be offered to support students in the preparation of their assessments, with opportunities for students to receive forward feedback.

You will reflect on your learning which will contribute towards your online Professional Development Journal (PDJ).

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:
1. Appraise the impact of the UK minimum standards for design and construction on the operational energy demands of residential buildings.
2. Appraise the impact of the UK minimum standards for design and construction on the operational energy demands of non-residential buildings.
3. Evaluate the operational performance of construction technologies used in the heating, cooling, lighting, powering, and ventilation of buildings.
4. Investigate contributions towards sustainable development of fabric, services, infrastructure, and renewables, at differing scales.
5. Apply building environmental assessment methods to evaluate building performance.
6. Reflect on the contributions the professions can make towards sustainable practices within the built environment.

Coursework 1 and 2 test the student’s knowledge and understanding that should have been developed throughout the module. The module assessment reflects the need for accurate analysis of building operational energy demands and the need for professionals within the built environment to understand the contributions they will make towards a net/zero carbon future.

Coursework 3 requires students to evidence how they have continued compiling their own PDJ, which will include documenting valuable CPD activities.

Throughout the module students will receive project-based instructions which will replicate the dynamics of a real project scenario and inform their assessments. Further information will be issued in the coursework briefs.

Coursework 1: Individual Project (1375 words) 25%

Coursework 1 is an individual submission which will requires students to assume the role of a Domestic Energy Assessor and provide advice to a client with regards to the opportunities available to them to improve the energy performance of their home during a refurbishment project. The submission will contain narrative, images, tables, and supporting calculations. The project brief will provide more detail about the scopes, aims and objectives of the client’s refurbishment project.

Coursework 2: Individual Project (2750 words) 50%

Coursework 2 is an individual submission and requires the students to undertake the role of a Commercial Energy Assessor.  For this coursework the emphasis moves, from simple, residential, construction typologies, to more complex commercial buildings. The client is a commercial property owner who is undertaking a review of their global property portfolio to understand how they can reduce its fossil fuel energy demand and water consumption.  The project brief will provide more detail about the scope, aims and objectives of the project.

Coursework 3: Professional Discussion (10 minutes) 25%

A 10-minute professional discussion will be held to review the Students PDJ and progress made over the academic year, including CPD activity. The discussion will require the student to present their activity over this academic year and outline their plans for professional development activities over the next academic year.

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module. There are several books which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are listed in the core text list.  There is excellent coverage of the subject available via the Construction Information Service (CIS).   Many of the books you have on your reading lists for other construction technology modules will also prove useful in this module.

CIS is accessed via Construction Information Service  and provides a huge range of information relevant to this module. Of particular interest in CIS are:

Anderson, B. and Kosmina, L. (2019) Conventions for u-value calculations (Report BR 443). Watford: BRE.
Buxton, P. (ed.) (2022) Metric handbook planning and design data. Abingdon: Routledge.

Useful books and articles for this course are listed below:

Core:
Emmitt, S. (2018) Barry's Advanced Construction of Buildings, 4th edn. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
Hall, F. and Greeno, R. (2017) Building Services Handbook. 9th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
McMullan, R. (2018) Environmental Science in Building. 8th edn. London: Palgrave.
Tricker, R. and Alford, S. (2022) Building Regulations Pocket Book. 2nd edn. London: Routledge.
The Building Regulations and Approved Documents are available online:
Approved Documents Collection
United Nations Climate Action

Additional Reading:
Building Research Establishment (BRE) Digests and Information Papers - available via Construction Information Service
British Standards - available via Construction Information Service
Specify-it – Available in the same domain as the Construction Information Service
Barbour Building Products 
CIOB
The Building Centre 
Centre for Window and Cladding Technology