Simulated and Measured Environments in Design Education and Research

“Once architects realize that climate change is a quantity measured in carbon, it becomes a simple design constraint just like gravity, easily mitigated by designing form and performance simultaneously.” – NYIT Professor Clarke Snell

During this virtual event, architecture educators and a librarian provide information about building performance and simulation which calls on open data sources that students analyze to inform their design decisions. We developed educational modules introducing undergraduate students to measuring environmental conditions and relevant open data projects to assess climatic challenges alongside building performance projections. We develop design thinking to improve built environments that require less energy to build and operate. Professionals are increasingly interpreting climatic conditions from original and publicly available data at all phases of design and construction. Architecture students learn to observe and interpret measured and simulated building performance, interpret local code, laws and guidelines (ie Local Law 33; 97) and measure indoor/exterior environments. These practices develop students’ sensitivity to design decisions and adaptive solutions.

One education module presents a hands-on introduction to the variables that define and differentiate indoor and outdoor environments through measurements and analysis using sensors and apps. Participants measure the dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, and dew point of the environment they encounter for three days, then compare the results for the same days for several other measured environments. These include the interior and exterior conditions of our library where we maintain a weather station and indoor sensor network. The weather station also broadcasts data to the National Weather Service through the Citizens Weather Observation Program (CWOP). To conclude this presentation, we will share information about tools, assessments, and conclusions from the first sessions as well as modules in development.

Please join us for a practical introduction to the evolution of building performance in the architecture profession and design education. Attendees will gain access to learning objects and exercises about building performance and citizen science opportunities in your classroom. While our students are undergraduate and graduate students, we provide information on tools that can align with younger students or the public.