Course Overview
This course is an introduction to some of the basic planning concepts used in the design of site-responsive buildings. Lectures cover a variety of subjects pertaining to the built environment, site planning influences, and residential design considerations in the context of sustainable development practices. The first half of the course focuses on how regional climate and other local site features influence design decisions and impact building form. Issues of energy conservation, human comfort, and water conservation are explored using passive site, building, and landscaping strategies. The second half of the course focuses on the specific space planning concepts encountered in the design of a small residence. Issues of how to arrange internal spaces to respond to site, spatial, and functional requirements, and integrating them into a cohesive building form are explored. Building and site design challenges are approached using the "design process", a systematic methodology for creative problem-solving that involves analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and resolution. Assignments provide the opportunity to consider practical applications to planning issues and to develop effective and environmentally responsible solutions to building design problems.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
5.5
- Retired
- This course has been retired and is no longer offered. Find other Flexible Learning courses that may interest you.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Describe the impact that buildings and construction have on the environment and explain ways that these impacts can be reduced.
- Describe the principles of sustainable development and identify attributes of a "green" building.
- Identify, analyse, and evaluate the factors from the natural and built environments, including climate and context, which impact and shape a building's schematic layout and form.
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies that preserve and enhance the site.
- Identify and apply appropriate passive building strategies that respond to climate and promote energy conservation.
- Identify and apply appropriate landscape strategies that promote water conservation, restore the site, and support passive building strategies.
- Apply the "design process" as an approach to developing thoughtful, creative, and responsible solutions to practical site and building design problems.
- Recognize that challenges presented by the site conditions and programmatic requirements are design opportunities that can inspire a unique and appropriate building response.
- Propose a design solution that reflects the inter-relationship of context, site, and building.
- Develop and draw a workable design solution to a residential planning problem.
- Prepare design diagrams, sketches, and finished drawings using the graphic tools and language of the industry to represent pertinent information.
- Promote an approach towards development that reflects sustainable practices.
Effective as of Winter 2010
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.