ARCH 4372/6372 Integrated Project Grading Form
Spring 2015
Daylighting and Passive Thermal Systems
Daylighting is an important form generator in architecture. Well-designed daylighting systems enhance the livability of interior spaces and extend the sustainability of the built environment through a reduced reliance on electric lighting and thus non-renewable forms of energy known to be detrimental to the environment. Passive thermal control strategies act as primary foundation for heating and cooling. HVAC systems subsequently augment passive strategies by using a variety of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
A Exceptional understanding of daylighting and passive thermal systems
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Project is an architecturally sensitive approach to daylighting and passive thermal integration where these strategies have clearly helped define building form.
• Strategies are “innovative” relative to contemporary design but may also use vernacular architecture precedents.
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Daylight and passive thermal strategies are a celebrated part of the experience of the building.
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Visual and thermal comfort problems are minimized or are reasonably resolvable.
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Over-lighting and subjective brightness issues appear to be minimal to non-existent.
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Fenestration and envelope are well suited to the task.
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Material placement to enhance daylighting and passive thermal systems is well conceived and clearly evident.
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Drawings clearly illustrate strategies at a level that provides an experiential quality.
• Process and inquiry are excellent.
B Clear understanding of daylighting and passive thermal systems
• Project is an architecturally sensitive approach to daylighting and passive thermal integration where these strategies have helped define building form.
• Strategies are “innovative” relative to contemporary design but may also use vernacular architecture precedents.
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Daylight and passive thermal strategies are an integral part of the experience of the building.
• Visual and thermal comfort problems are minimized or are reasonably resolvable.
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Over-lighting and subjective brightness issues appear to be minimal to non-existent.
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Fenestration and envelope are well suited to the task.
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Material placement to enhance daylighting is reasonably conceived and evident.
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Drawings clearly illustrate the major strategies.
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Process and inquiry are above average.
C Basic understanding of daylighting and passive strategies
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Daylighting strategies are minimally beyond simple fenestration systems found in conventional buildings commonly built over the past 25 years (e.g., ribbon windows, top and/or side lighting with only nominal sun control, large reliance on the VLT of glazing to control heat gain, etc.).
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Visual and thermal comfort problems exist with minimal redress and resolution evident.
• Drawings provide moderate explanation of daylighting and passive strategies.
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Process and inquiry are average.
D Little understanding of daylighting and passive thermal strategies beyond admitting great quantities of uncontrolled daylight and sunlight
• Daylighting strategies consist of simple fenestration and skylight systems generally common to buildings built in the late 20 th century.
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The strategies do not incorporate controlled daylight access or passive thermal control other than drapes and blinds located on the interior of the building.
• There is no innovative quality to the daylighting and passive thermal design.
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Visual and thermal comfort conditions dominate the interior spaces with no attempt to redress or resolve them.
• Drawings show little to no daylighting and passive thermal integration explanation.
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Process and inquiry are weak.
E Poor understanding of daylighting and passive thermal strategies
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Awareness of daylighting and passive thermal concepts is not shown through apertures, materials, visual comfort, and form generation.
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There is no innovative quality in the daylighting or passive thermal strategies.
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Daylighting and passive thermal strategies other than simple windows are missing or incorrectly used.
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Attention to visual and thermal comfort is not apparent.
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Drawings and model(s) show no daylighting integration explanation.
• Process and inquiry are poor.

ARCH 4372/6372 Integrated Project Grading Form
Spring 2015
HVAC and MEP Systems
Passive thermal control strategies act as primary foundation for heating and cooling. HVAC systems subsequently augment those passive strategies by using a variety of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. MEP systems
(e.g., plumbing, elevators, telecommunications, and electrical) form the infrastructure of the building. Improperly located or inadequately sized MEP systems are a continuing source of frustration for occupants.
A Exceptional understanding of HVAC and MEP systems
• HVAC and MEP spaces are present and appropriately sized.
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Innovation in systems selection is clearly present.
• System distribution paths are easily accommodated.
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Thermal comfort is well informed by passive thermal systems.
• Energy analysis modeling used in decision process.
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Building appears to meet energy codes.
• Bathrooms, elevators, service cores are well placed
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Drawings provide clear explanation of HVAC and MEP systems
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Process and inquiry are excellent.
B Clear understanding of HVAC and MEP systems
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HVAC and MEP spaces are present and appropriately sized.
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Some innovation in systems selection is evident.
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System distribution paths are easily accommodated.
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Thermal comfort is well informed by passive thermal systems.
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Energy analysis modeling used in decision process.
• Building appears to meet energy codes.
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Bathrooms, elevators, and service cores are well placed
• Drawings provide clear explanation of HVAC and MEP systems
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Process and inquiry are above average.
C Basic understanding of HVCAC and MEP systems
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HVAC and MEP spaces are present or indicated on the drawings.
• Nominal innovation in systems selection is evident.
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System distribution paths are accommodated.
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Thermal comfort is primarily founded on the active HVAC system.
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Energy analysis modeling not clearly evident in decision process.
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Building appears to meet energy codes with minor modifications.
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Bathrooms, elevators, and service cores are problematic.
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Drawings provide minimal explanation of HVAC and MEP systems
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Process and inquiry are average.
D Little understanding of HVCAC and MEP systems
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HVAC and MEP spaces are neither present nor indicated on the drawings.
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No innovation in systems selection is evident.
• Systems’ distribution paths are not easily accommodated.
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Thermal comfort is primarily founded on the active HVAC system.
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Energy analysis modeling not evident in decision process.
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Building appears to not meet energy codes without major modifications.
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Bathrooms, elevators, and service cores are missing.
• Drawings provide minimal explanation of HVAC and MEP systems
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Process and inquiry are weak.
E No understanding of HVCAC and MEP systems
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HVAC and MEP spaces are neither present nor indicated on the drawings.
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No innovation in systems selection is evident.
• Systems’ distribution paths are not easily accommodated.
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Thermal comfort is primarily founded on the active HVAC system.
• Energy analysis modeling is not evident in decision process.
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Building appears to not meet energy codes without major modifications.
• Bathrooms, elevators, service cores are missing.
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Drawings provide no explanation of HVAC and MEP systems
• Process and inquiry are poor.

ARCH 4372/6372 Integrated Project Grading Form
Spring 2015
Acoustics
Well-conceived acoustical planning can enhance the overall experience of a space. While often overlooked when done well, lack of appropriate attention to acoustics can lead to frequent complaints from building users.
A Exceptional understanding of acoustical control strategies
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Acoustical planning is shown through the appropriate separation of noise generating and noise sensitive areas without unnecessary added architectural expense (e.g., not placing them adjacent to one another in the first place rather than adding double walls between them).
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Project shows an exceptional understanding of common acoustical phenomena (e.g., standing waves, focal points, flanking noise) and how to avoid them.
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Acoustical comfort problems appear to be well resolved.
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Acoustical planning strategies have been clearly illustrated in the drawings.
Process and inquiry are excellent.
B Clear understanding of acoustical planning strategies
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Acoustical planning is shown through the appropriate separation of noise generating and noise sensitive areas but may include an added architectural expense.
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Project shows clear understanding of common acoustical phenomena and how to avoid them.
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Acoustical comfort problems appear to be readily resolved.
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Acoustical planning strategies have been clearly illustrated in the drawings.
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Process and inquiry are above average.
C Basic understanding of acoustical planning strategies
• Inadequate acoustical planning is shown through the inappropriate placement of noise generating and noise sensitive areas or leaving acoustical issues unresolved.
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Project shows nominal awareness of common acoustical phenomena and how to avoid them.
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Drawings provide minimal explanation of acoustical planning.
• Process and inquiry are average.
D Little understanding of acoustical planning strategies
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Inadequate acoustical planning is shown through the inappropriate placement of noise generating and noise sensitive areas or leaving acoustical issues unresolved.
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Project shows minimal or no awareness of common acoustical phenomena and how to avoid them.
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Drawings provide little explanation of acoustical and utility systems’ planning.
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Process and inquiry are weak.
E No understanding of acoustical planning strategies
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Poor acoustical planning is shown through inappropriate placement of noise generating and noise sensitive areas or leaving acoustical issues completely unresolved.
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Project shows no awareness of common acoustical phenomena and how to avoid them.
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Drawings provide no explanation of acoustical planning.
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Process and inquiry are poor.

ARCH 4372/6372 Integrated Project Grading Form
Spring 2015
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A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- E
100 95 92 88 85 82 78 75 72 68 65 62 0 x 0.50 = _______
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- E
100 95 92 88 85 82 78 75 72 68 65 62 0 x 0.40 = _______
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- E
100 95 92 88 85 82 78 75 72 68 65 62 0 x 0.10 = _______
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