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DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
SYLLABUS

ARCH 421 Energy & Sustainable Architecture

Spring 2014 Class: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:35 am 10:50 am, Langford B-209 Course Description: Develop a deeper understanding of how various design decisions impact sustainability and energy efficiency with in-class lectures and by taking a project to do an academic LEED-NC rating. An interdisciplinary approach will be taken in that students will team with a design studio architect and perform the LEED-NC rating on the architects design. Material from the US Green Building Councils LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, ASHRAEs Green Guide and ASHRAEs Advanced Energy Design Guide may be used as reference material. Students will learn how to simulate the energy use of a building using eQuest and complete a LEED-NC rating. Students will be expected to review and apply reference material, standards and USGBC material in performing their LEED-NC rating. Students will learn to make professional presentations and write LEED documentation to professional requirements. Prerequisite: None. Learning Outcomes: Deeper understanding of sustainability and energy systems will also prepare the student for designing and rating high performance, energy efficient and sustainable buildings. The student will also acquire an understanding of how to write and present the course material. A basic knowledge of environmental systems will be required. Course Objectives: Prepare students for analyzing green building design, which includes site selection, water usage, energy usage, material selection, indoor environmental quality and to produce a complete analysis of a building using the US Green Building Councils (USGBC) LEED-NC rating. Instructor Information: Professor Charles H. Culp, P.E., Ph.D., FASHRAE, LEED-AP, HBDP Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 am 12:00 pm or by appointment. E-mail or phone to make an appointment for other times, cculp@tamu.edu. I will make myself available during evenings and/or week-ends if needed. I can be reached in Langford, Room A-127, Office Ph: 979-458-3600 on Tue, Thu, Fri or at the Valley Park office at 979-458-2654 on Mon, Wed. Textbook and/or Resource Material: TEXT: LEED-NC 3.0 Reference Guide, recommend an interlibrary loan. My lectures and electronic files will also be distributed for class use. Additional information will be included from: Department of Energy: eQuest (Google DOE eQuest and the go to the .gov site) USGBCs web site ASHRAE Standards 90.1-2007, 55-2004 and 62.1-2007 ASHRAEs Advanced Energy Design Guides (available free at www.ASHRAE.org) ASHRAE publications (Standards and Journal Papers) Manufacturers product information Requirements: Access to a MS Windows computer for running simulations is required. Free simulation software (eQuest) will be provided by the US Department of Energy.
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Grading Policies: Homework: Homework will be given weekly. It will be returned and discussed in class. Late homework will be marked down 10% per day late. Late homework may not be accepted after the answers are issued / discussed. Note that each homework assignment is worth about 2-3% of your grade. Each of you is expected to do the homework individually. You may collaborate with your partner when you have difficulty, but the work needs to be yours. Please see me or consult the Aggie Honor Code for further guidance. Learning new material with new terms and acronyms is often confusing and frustrating, which are good items to avoid. To alleviate the frustration, I have a one-hour rule with which I will delay when homework is due if you: 1) spend 1 hour on the specific problem and cannot solve it, 2) you call or email me (at least 24 hours before the homework is due) for a time to meet so I can explain the problem to you and 3) I would be unable to meet with your before the class meets. The homework is handed out well in advance of the due dates so its best if you try the problems a few days before it is due. All homework must be completed in MS Word (with a .docx extension). A paper copy and .docx copy are required.. Adobe PDFs are not acceptable. Tests / Quizzes: Quizzes will be given regularly to prepare you for the USGBC exam. There may be a mid-term exam that covers using the simulation tool and LEED-NC specifications. Makeup exams will not be given for unexcused absences. The LEED quizzes and/or tests will be closed book. You must work on exams by yourself. A full LEED-like exam will be provided at the end of the course to better prepare you for passing the LEED exam. Final: The final includes a full LEED report and presentation. I strongly urge you to organize your notes as you go. The class lectures will be made available electronically. The LEED report must use the most up-to-date SEED document (uses MS Excel). This class emphasizes the final written project and final presentation for the grading, just like you will be judged in your professional career. Winning the assignment / job will keep your firm viable and active. Nonetheless, you need to schedule your time and plan your activities so that you have time to prepare the final write up and presentation. The Final Written Project must follow the format provided. The final report must be completed in MS Word (with a .docx extension). Adobe PDFs are not acceptable. Although your are encouraged to work together to understand the material, the Final Project Report must be your or your teams original work. Duplicate or near duplicate material with other student work or past students work will not be accepted (see Aggie Honor Code). LEED-NC Rating Project: Each team will perform a detailed LEED-NC analysis and rating on a selected building, which can be 1) a past project, 2) a senior or graduate design studio often with participation from CoSci or 3) a new building project. You will be responsible for any needed coordination and management activities. Presentations will be made on your project at the end of the semester. This report will become an important part of your portfolio. Each team shall do all of the credits claimed in their project. In addition, we may have the opportunity to contribute to a real project with an architectural firm. Each team will be assigned specific credits to complete. Finishing this will earn each contributor a letter from the firm which will qualify that individual sit for the LEED-AP exam. Extra Credit: Attendance is required since you will be working in teams. Extra credit is given for class attendance. Five (5) consecutive days of attendance will earn 1 point (of up to 5). You can earn up to 5 extra points, which can make a difference of one letter grade.
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Grading: (see the SEED template for detailed grading) Final Written Project 50% Final Presentation of Project 25% Homework 25% Extra Credit 5% Total 105% Grade Earned: 90% 105% A 80% - 89% B 70% - 79% C 60% - 69% D 00% - 59% F In the Final Written Project, a two person team must earn 60 LEED points (with a minimum of 30 different Credits and at least 2 credits from each of the five categories including SS, WE, EA, MR, and EQ) to receive an A for the Final Written Report. Specific class requirements for the credits required are in the SEED Templates which are used as part of this class. Attendance Policies: The University views class attendance as the responsibility of an individual student. Attendance is essential to complete the course successfully. University rules related to excused and unexcused absences are located on-line at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07 Project due dates will be provided in the project statements. Students should contact the instructor if work is turned in late due to an absence that is excused under the Universitys attendance policy. In such cases the instructor will either provide the student an opportunity to make up any quiz, exam or other graded activities or provide a satisfactory alternative to be completed within 30 calendar days from the last day of the absence. There will be no opportunity for students to make up work missed because of an unexcused absence. Course Topics, Calendar of Activities, Major Assignment Dates: This course focuses on the final deliverables and prepares students for post-graduation employment. Numerous class exercises will be done to assure successful completion of the final deliverables. Homework Required reading includes one or more articles and references and is itemized in the homework. Due weekly on Thursday at the start of class The planned major topics are shown (note that the topics and weeks may change if required): Week Topic 1 Introductory Material, eQuest 2 LEED Sustainable Sites 3 Codes and Standards impact on Energy 4 LEED Water Efficiency 5 LEED Energy and Atmosphere - eQuest simulation of a building envelope 6 LEED Materials and Resources 7 eQuest simulation with HVAC equipment 8 LEED Environmental Air Quality 9 Project Presentations 10 LEED Innovation 11 Project Simulations 12 Second Project Presentations 13 Special Topics in Sustainability 14 Final Presentations and Reports
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In addition, the class will have the following activities planned on approximately the following dates. Kirksey Meeting TBD Building HVAC Tour 3/11/14 (target, may change due to conditions) Power Plant Tour 3/25/14 (target, may change due to conditions) Low Water Horticulture Tour 4/10/14 (target, may change due to conditions) Final Project 4/17/14 (or date agreed to with class) Final Class Presentation 4/24/14 (or date agreed to with class) Helpful Hints for Doing Well in this Class Read assigned material before class. Reading material will be assigned to assist you in building your green library of references. Please read the assigned material before we cover the material in class. Your comprehension of the material will improve substantially. Turn in homework on-time. Working the homework will bring out areas that you understand and that you may need help in. Attend the lectures. Copies of the lecture notes and all material covered in class will be available to all students in ppt format. Keep your notes in a large, well organized notebook. Ask questions in class. Make sure that you have copies of the solutions to the homework problems and that you understand how to solve them. The exams and final will primarily draw on the material used in these problems and the lecture notes. Drop-by during office hours and ask questions. E-mail or phone to make an appointment and drop-by during other hours. I will make myself available during evenings and/or week-ends if needed. I will be using e-mail to communicate to the class, so students in the class are required to check their Neo account daily. You are encouraged to work in groups to obtain a better understanding of the homework. However, you are expected to turn-in your own homework that you have done. Your career performance on the tests will be based on what you know and therefore it is good idea to make sure you understand how to solve the homework problems by yourself. I use the Aggie Honor System. You will certify that you have completed the any work by yourself. You are expected to perform all work credits with your name with your partner or by yourself. Copyright Notice: The handouts in this class contain material that has been photocopied with permission from the publisher and are therefore copyright. Handouts includes all material generated for this class, which includes, but is not limited to: syllabi, quizzes, exams, in-class notes and handouts, review sheets and assignments. Therefore, the copyright material in this class should not be copied without prior permission from the publisher. Note About Plagiarism: Plagiarism consists of the passing off as ones own ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance to this definition you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own. If you have questions about plagiarism please consult the Texas A&M University Student Rules book, under the section scholastic dishonesty or see me with any questions you might have. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu. Academic Integrity: An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.
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Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit: http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu Care of Facilities: The use of spray paint or other surface-altering materials is not permitted in the Langford Complex, except in designated zones. Students who violate this rule will be liable for the expenses associated with repairing damaged building finishes and surfaces. At the end of the semester, your area must be clean of all trash. Studio Policy (required of all studios): All students, faculty, administration and staff of the Department of Architecture at Texas A&M University are dedicated to the principle that the Design Studio is the central component of an effective education in architecture. They are equally dedicated to the belief that students and faculty must lead balanced lives and use time wisely, including time outside the design studio, to gain from all aspects of a university education and world experiences. They also believe that design is the integration of many parts, that process is as important as product, and that the act of design and of professional practice is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring active and respectful collaboration with others. Students and faculty in every design studio will embody the fundamental values of optimism, respect, sharing, engagement, and innovation. Every design studio will therefore encourage the rigorous exploration of ideas, diverse viewpoints, and the integration of all aspects of architecture (practical, theoretical, scientific, spiritual, and artistic), by providing a safe and supportive environment for thoughtful innovation. Every design studio will increase skills in professional communication, through drawing, modeling, writing and speaking. Every design studio will, as part of the syllabus introduced at the start of each class, include a clear statement on time management, and recognition of the critical importance of academic and personal growth, inside and outside the studio environment. As such it will be expected that faculty members and students devote quality time to studio activities, while respecting the need to attend to the broad spectrum of the academic life. Every design studio will establish opportunities for timely and effective review of both process and products. Studio reviews will include student and faculty peer review. Where external reviewers are introduced, the design studio instructor will ensure that the visitors are aware of the Studio Culture Statement and recognize that the design critique is an integral part of the learning experience. The design studio will be recognized as place for open communication and movement, while respecting the needs of others, and of the facilities. Note About Absences: The university views class attendance as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments. Instructors are expected to give adequate notice of the dates on which major tests will be given and assignments will be due. The student is responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to the instructor to substantiate the reason for absence. Students are advised to consult the University regulations for a list of authorized absences. Important Links Below: Department of Architecture Website Department Financial Assistance Academic Calendar Final Exam Schedule Online On-Line Catalog Student Rules
ARCH 421: Energy & Sustainable Architecture

http://dept.arch.tamu.edu/ http://dept.arch.tamu.edu/financial-assistance/ http://admissions.tamu.edu/registrar/general/calendar.aspx http://admissions.tamu.edu/registrar/general/finalschedule.aspx http://catalog.tamu.edu http://student-rules.tamu.edu/

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Aggie Honor System Office American Institute of Architecture website

http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/ http://www.aia.org/index.htm

ARCH 421: Energy & Sustainable Architecture

Professor Charles H. Culp, Spring, 2014