AA School of Architecture 2013 - Sustainable Environmental Design

Simos Yannas, P. Cadima, J. Gonçalves, R. Schiano-Phan, K. Bode, J. Rodriguez, G. Brunelli

The conditions for a symbiotic relationship between buildings and the urban environments they form and occupy are the main concern of the Sustainable Environmental Design (SED) Master’s programme. Knowledge and understanding of the physical principles underlying this relationship, along with the conceptual and computational tools to translate them into an ecological architecture and urbanism, form the core of the taught programme. With close to 60 students from some 30 countries that encompass different climates, this year has contributed a wealth of new projects to the programme’s continuing research agenda on Refurbishing the City, which has initiated over 300 projects in 70 cities. Common objectives of all projects in SED are to improve environmental quality in cities, achieve independence from non-renewable energy sources and develop an architecture of sustainable design. Projects are based on real sites and specific environmental design requirements, which are focused on the inhabitants of these areas as well as being climate-responsive. The generative process is driven by strict performance criteria following a process of adaptive architecturing that proceeds from inside to outside, attuning the built form to natural rhythms and inhabitant activities. Term 1 focused on case studies of selected urban schemes in London. These involved field measurements to assess environmental performance, followed by computer modelling and parametric analysis to investigate potential for improvements. The findings of these case studies provided starting points for Term 2 design briefs that explored responses to climate change, technical developments and lifestyle trends for London. Terms 3 and 4 are devoted to dissertation projects that this year are set in over 50 locations around the world. The following pages highlight one of the Term 2 projects located in London alongside a representation of MArch design dissertations that illustrate the current research of the programme.

Director

Simos Yannas

Course Masters

Paula Cadima

Joana Gonçalves

Rosa Schiano-Phan

Klaus Bode

Jorge Rodriguez

Gustavo Brunelli

Software Tutors

Rohit Garg

Mariam Kapsali

Guest Speakers and Invited Critics

Laura Apezteguia

Nick Baker

Priji Balakrishnan

Meital Ben Dayan

Michael Bruse

Herman Calleja

Peter Chlapowski

Peter Clegg

Claude Demers

Christian Dimbleby

Brian Ford

Werner Gaiser

Vidhi Gupta

Alan Harries

Catherine Harrington

Richard Hawkes

Dean Hawkes

Amy Holtz

Jessica James

Ivan Jovanovic

Shelley McNamara

Federico Montella

Edward Ng

Fergus Nicol

Andre Potvin

Becci Taylor

Harsh Thapar

Carolina Vasilikou

Laura Aelenei

João Cabral

Helder Gonçalves

Michel Toussaint

José María

de Lapuerta

María José Manga

Sebastián Severino

Fundación Metropoli

From Monotony To Diversity

Contemporary Passive Shelters

Density And Urban Form

Refurbishment In Madrid

Self-sufficient Social Housing

Vertical Villages

Self-built Social Housing

Refurbishing Catalinas Norte

Rethinking Office Building Typology

Office Building In Dubai

Diamond Bazaars In Mumbai

Protection from direct sun and rain, and provision of good daylighting are important considerations for the functioning of the diamond bazaars. This design application caters for these requirements with its shaded streets and movable fabric members that adapt to users’ requirements. In this climate, airflow is the other important factor for pedestrian comfort. The porous nature of the side walls will ensure uninhibited air movement. Materials were studied in relation to environmental design requirements, flexibility and architectural quality.