Construction Design and Sustainability in Architecture: Integrating Environmental Education in the Architectural Studies

Abstract

Based    on    the    modern    interpretation    of    architectural  education  at  university  level,  architectural  design  is  developed  within  the  multidisciplinary  nature  of  the  area,  at  various  levels  of  analysis,  at  all  scales  of  the  project.  The  present paper underlines the necessity of integrating technology courses with design and sustainability issues. In clarifying this, the    respective    pedagogical    approach,    followed    at    the    Department  of  Architecture  of  the  University  of  Cyprus,  in  the  courses of construction in timber, reinforced concrete and steel, as  well  as  in  the  main  architectural  design  coursework  with  emphasis in technology, is discussed. As   regards   the   building   technology   component   within   the   architectural   education,   the   application   of   the   respective   technical  knowledge,  obtained  through  lectures  and  exercises,  in a design project is of major importance. The design project is organized  within  a  studio  or  micro-studio,  and  becomes  the  major  assignment  of  each  respective  construction  course.  A  necessary component for a successfully-integrated design is the iterative  realization  of  an  architectural  aim,  the  design  vision  that  binds  every  element  of  the  design  of  different  scales  together. In this way, construction design substitutes the merely more  empirical  act  of  “architectural  design”  throughout  the  integration process. The  sustainability  component  of  the  designs  in  the  studio  or  micro-studio refers to the bioclimatic, construction and energy-efficient   design.   The   investigation   and   application   of   all   aforementioned      aspects      ensures      the      comprehensive      environmental  approach  in  the  creation  of  the  built-up  spaces,  underlying  at  the  same  time,  the  importance  of  integrated  design in the studio or micro-studio.