ARCH325 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS 2
09:00AM- 11: 50 PM, MC26 - Rm 410
Matthias Altwicker
The provision for comfort, health and
safety is one of the most basic
objectives in architecture. Developing a
basic understanding of how to achieve
and maintain these provisions and how
to integrate them into the architectural
design process is the main goal of the
Environmental
Systems
course
sequence. Through a combination of
theoretical seminars and practical
design assignments the following main
topics will be addressed over the
course of the semester:
Illumination
(Daylighting)
Illumination
(Electric Lighting)
Electricity,
Fire Protection,
Vertical Transportation
Building on the assignments from
ARCH324 Environmental Systems 1,
three sequential studio assignments
explore the inter-relationship between
passive architectural design and active
electrical/lighting design through direct
application on a series of small project
assignments. In addition to the studio
assignments, two exams will be given.
Matsura Integrated System, SAR (Foundation for Architectural Research), 1982
Integrated Design
The design of environmental control systems cannot be understood as an isolated technical discipline that follows
once the architectural design of a project is completed. On the contrary, in order to design a building that offers
maximum user comfort while using the least amount of energy, an integrated design process needs to be adopted
where architectural design and building services technology are part of one coordinated holistic system.
Even though architects are rarely responsible for the design of building services it is crucial that they understand the
underlying principles and basic design approaches so they can productively communicate and collaborate with
engineers and other design team members. The structure of the Environmental Systems course sequence and
assignment requirements emphasize collaboration and clear communication as important aspects of the integrated
design process.
NYIT School of Architecture and Design
ARCH325 Environmental Systems 2
Psychometric Chart
SIEEB Beijing, Mario Cucinella Architects
Natural Light and Shading
Green Design and Sustainability
In the United States, the construction, renovation and maintenance of the built environment consume huge amounts
of non-renewable energy and are responsible for over 40% of all nationwide CO2 emissions. Green design is no
longer a choice but a necessity.
Even though this is not a course specifically or exclusively about green design, all lecture content and assignments
will be analyzed and evaluated based on their environmental impact. By permeating all aspects of the course, green
design is understood as a cohesive design methodology rather than a series of environmental strategies applied to
a design project and will enable student to design projects that optimize, conserve, or reuse natural and built
resources, provide healthful environments for occupants/users, and reduce the environmental impacts of building
construction and operations on future generations through means such as carbon-neutral design, bioclimatic design,
and energy efficiency.
Course Structure
Classes typically are structured in the following way:
Seminar (1-1.5hrs):
The seminar portion consists of lectures focusing on the different types of environmental systems, their history,
underlying concepts and applications. Case studies illustrate these systems’ influence on the architectural design
process and the final architectural project.
Studio:
Work and review sessions fill the remaining class time and are used to develop and discuss the studio assignments
in a studio-like setting. Each class will have required assignments, due at the beginning of class.
Reading Assignments:
The required textbook for this course is Heating, Cooling, Lighting – Sustainable Design Methods for Architects, 3rd
edition (HCL). Students are required to purchase their own copy, new or used. In preparation for the lecture each
week there will be a reading assignment from the HCL book and/or from additional handouts. It is imperative that
students read the required reading before class.
Additional sources of information which all of you should become familiar with and accustomed to using are:
Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings by Stein, Reynolds, McGuiness
The architect’s studio companion by Allen, Iano
Sun, Wind & Light by Brown, DeKay
The green studio handbook by Kwok, Grondzik
Mechanical Systems for Architects by Dadras
NYIT School of Architecture and Design
ARCH325 Environmental Systems 2
Studio Assignments:
There are three sequential design exercises throughout the semester exploring the inter-relationship between
passive architectural design and active electrical design through direct application on a small project. All studio
assignments will be completed as teamwork (group size TBD). Teams will be determined in the first class.
Assignment 01: Empirical Daylighting Design
Build a physical model of a room and test different façade designs in terms of their daylighting potential. The room
has only one exterior wall and it is the goal to create an even light distribution inside of the room. The models will be
taken outdoors and interior daylighting levels will be measured with a light level meter.
The assignment will also include an Ecotect analysis exercise.
Assignment 02: Office Building Daylighting Excercise
Design the façades and the roof of a three story office building in order to maximize the use of daylight. The
following design parameters apply: For energy efficiency reasons, the maximum glazing area of the envelope
cannot exceed 50% (per floor, measured from finish floor to finish floor. Average Daylight Factor for daylit general
office areas as per recommendations on page 60, Green Studio Handbook. More details and requirements see
assignment hand out.
The assignment will also include an Ecotect analysis exercise.
Assignment 03: Electrical System Design
Use your “solar shelter project” from ES1 to perform a series of exercises related to the use of electricity in
buildings. The building will be used as a writer’s retreat.
If you don’t have a solar shelter project use the provided design.
Load Estimate: Perform a preliminary electrical load estimate by finding wattages for appliances and equipment
used in the building.
Electric Wiring Design: Based on the recommendation in the reading and as described during the lecture draw an
Electric Plan (1/4”=1’-0”) and locate appliance outlets, lighting outlets with respective switches/dimmers, duplex
convenience receptacles. Carefully study the example plan (MEEB p.1292) and use the correct symbols and
drawing conventions.
In addition there will be a required field trip report (Trip Schedule and Details to be determined)
Assignment Values
60%
Studio Assignments (3 total plus in progress / development work)
30%
Exams (2 total at 15% each), dates TBD
10% Class Participation - each student is required to keep detailed, graphic notes from class lectures and the
readings. There is an adjustment factor to any evaluation based on the students’ intensity of effort and commitment
to the course. It can be assumed that a minimum effort on these assignments will result in a poor evaluation.
NYIT School of Architecture and Design
ARCH325 Environmental Systems 2
Attendance
Attendance at every class is expected. No work-related issues or medical appointments are to be scheduled for
class time regardless of convenience. The School of Architecture has a very specific policy regarding attendance:
two unexcused absences will result in a substantial lowering of your grade; three unexcused absences require a
withdrawal from the course.
Arriving to class more than 15 minutes late will be considered an absence. All of you are well aware of traffic and
public transportation problems, so give yourself ample time to arrive in the classroom.
Cell phones are to be turned off during class time and will be confiscated if they disrupt the class.
No eating during class time.
Portfolio
It is required that students submit a digital portfolio at the end of the semester in order to receive a final grade. It is
to include reproductions of all final drawings and calculations of all assignments.
A Note on Computer Use
It is important to remember that the computer is a tool for production and not an excuse for late or unfinished work. If
you are new to using the computer do not use this class as a means to learn how to use it. The expectations for
both computer and hand drawings will be the same.
Evaluation
Grades will consider the appropriateness of the idea, the project's completeness, the quality of presentation, and the
effort put into the submission. Both content and presentation are crucial to the evaluation of assignments.
Evaluation for content is based on the general quality, clarity, and development of the solution. Evaluation of
presentation will consider the quality, precision, and craft of the presentation. As in studio, neither merely completing
all the presentation requirements, nor merely having a good idea, will be enough to achieve a good grade. All work
is expected to be completed by the assigned due date at the beginning of class.
The grading scale put forth in the university catalog will be used in this course:
A
Superior
A-
Excellent
B+
Very Good
B
Good
B-
Competent
C+
Fair
C
Satisfactory, Average
C-
Marginal
D
Unsatisfactory
F
Failure
I
Incomplete; this will only be assigned when a student misses class with an Institute-approved absence and
is unable to make up the work by the end of the term.
NYIT School of Architecture and Design
ARCH325 Environmental Systems 2
Preliminary Weekly Schedule
01/22
Class 01
Lecture:
Lighting Fundamentals - Physics of Light, Quality/Quantity of Light
01/29
Class 02
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Light Sources, Lighting Design Process
Handout and Explanation of Assignment 01, Architectural Daylighting Adaptation
HCL Chapters 13.1-13.12 (p. 380-406)
02/05
Class 03
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Daylighting Design
Desk Critique to review in-progress of Assignment 01, Architectural Daylighting Adaptation
MEEB Chapters 11.1-11.7
02/12
Class 04
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Daylighting Design
Desk Critique to review in-progress of Assignment 01, Architectural Daylighting Adaptation
02/19
NO CLASS
02/26
Class 05
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Electric Lighting Design
Assignment 01 due; Handout and Explanation of Assignment 02
03/05
Class 06
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Electric Lighting Design
Desk Critique to review in-progress of Assignment 02
03/12
Class 07
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Principles of Electricity
Desk Critique to review in-progress of Assignment 02
03/19
SPRING BREAK - NO CLASSES
03/26
Class 08
Lecture:
Electric Wiring Design
Studio:
Assignment 02 due
Handout and Explanation of Assignment 03, Electric Wiring Design and Load Calculation
Reading:
04/02
Class 09
Lecture:
Photovoltaic Systems
Studio:
Desk Critique to review in-progress of Assignment 03
Electric Wiring Design and Load Calculation
04/09
Class 10
Exam 01
Lecture:
04/16
Class 11
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Fire Protection, Signal Systems
Assignment 03 due
04/23
Class 12
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Vertical Transportation
Review of all assignments, Preparation for final presentation
04/30
Class 13
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Vertical Transportation, Special Topics
Review of all assignments, Preparation for final presentation
05/07
Class 14
Lecture:
Studio:
Reading:
Synthesis and Evaluation
Final Presentation of all Assignments
05/14
MAKE UP DAY - NO CLASS
05/21
Class 15
Exam 02
Portfolio and final project are due.
NYIT School of Architecture and Design
ARCH325 Environmental Systems 2