MULTIFAMILY NET-ZERO MODULE ARCH 5550 – Spring 2013Lucas Alm

COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor:Lucas Alm, Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Architecture

Affiliated Organization:Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TC-HfH)Urban Home Works (UHW)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Northside Net-Zero Studio Module is a 7-week intensive studio resolving the technical, constructional, and energy requirements of an affordable multi-family zero-energy home. Students will begin by refining the schematic design delivered by the Seminar section, work though wall, floor, and roof systems, create dynamic energy models, and detail all aspects of the design. This work will culminate in a construction document drawing set delivered to TC-HfH and UHW at the end of the semester.

Note: a parallel seminar, Arch4150/5550 will provide research support but is independent from this course. They are not pre-req or co-req to each other. However, it is highly recommended that both courses be taken together.

COURSE FORMAT

Coursework will be a combination of individual and group work. This will take the form as public presentations, in-studio charrettes, writing, technical analysis, drawing, and modeling and will culminate in the collaborative design of a Net-Zero multi-family building. The success of this studio relies on a clear set of building requirements and energy goals as set down by TC-HfH and UHW prior to the beginning of the semester. These will include, but are not limited to: Building program, square foot requirements, construction budget, site location and solar assessment, and any preferred construction techniques or assemblies.

Design Development – 3 weeks• Work with TC-HfH, UHW, and design professionals to refine two selected designs• First draft of specification with Seminar• Test construction details with drawings and models• Energy analysis and modeling• Break tasks and assemblies down equally amongst studio participants• Manage work flow and expectations

Construction Drawings – 4 weeks• Develop drawings for construction• Develop building specification with Seminar• Create full scale and 1/2 scale take apart models of key assemblies• Break tasks and assemblies down equally amongst studio participants• Manage work flow and expectations

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand and apply net-zero energy design fundamentals.• Apply energy modeling software to architectural design.• Work and communicate effectively in a team/group setting using project management

software.• Understand and design to real world constraints (such as energy budget, financial budget,

client wishes, and building codes).• Orally and visually communicate design ideas to non-architects.• Understand the implications of zero energy design on architecture.• Understand and create usable construction documents.

BIBLIOGRAPHYRequired Texts

Edminster, A. (2009). Energy Free; Homes for a Small Planet. San Rafael, CA: Green Building Press

Thallon, R. (2009), Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and Designers. Newtown, CT: The Taunton Press

Supplemental Texts

Klingenberg, K., Kernagis, M., James, M. (2008). Homes for a Changing Climate: Passive Houses in the U.S. Larkspur, CA: Low Carbon Productions

Österreichisches Institut für (ED). (2008). Passivhaus-Bauteilkatalog | Details for Passive Houses: Ökologisch bewertete Konstruktionen | A Catalogue of Ecologically Rated Constructions. Vienna: SpringerWienNewYork

Lstiburek, J. (2006). Builder’s Guide to Cold Climates: A Systems Approach to Designing and Building Homes that are Safe, Healthy, Durable, Energy Efficient and Environmentally Responsible. Eden Prairie, MN: Energy and Environmental Building Association

Krigger, J., Dorsi, C. (2004). Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings. Helena, MT: Saturn Resource Management

Kemp, W. (2005). The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living. Tamworth, Ontario: Aztext Press

Kwok, A., Grondzik, W., (2007). The Green Studio Handbook: Environmental Strategies for Schematic Design. Oxford: Elevier

Ching, F. (2001). Building Construction Illustrated. New York: John Wiley and Sons

Wakita, O., Linde, R. (2003) The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings. New York: John Wiley and Sons

Sarkissian, W. (2008) Kitchen Table Sustainability: Practical Recipes for Community Engagement with Sustainability. New York: Routledge

Kulman, J., Schurke, J., (2001) Sustainable Design: NCARB Professional Development Program. Washington, DC: NCARB

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCESDue to the nature of the course, any absences, excused or unexcused, must have written permission of the instructor arranged in advance. The School of Architecture policy for legitimate absences states: “Students shall not be penalized for absences due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: verified illness, participation in intercollegiate athletic events or other group activities sponsored by the University, subpoenas, jury duty, military service, and religious observances. Students are responsible for providing documentation to the instructor to verify the reason for the absence.” This policy does not extend to voting in local, state or national elections.

GRADINGThe University of Minnesota Senate mandated “+” and “-“ grading symbols will be used with those portions of the course employing the A-D grading system.

Grading criteria for each component will be:

Project-based component (studio) [A-D]Participation: 20% Demonstrated engagement, level of inquiry, productive contributions to the work Process: 40%Establishment of appropriate design parameters, iterative investigations Deliverables: 40%Completion of required design documents addressing requisite building requirements

All work will be graded on a 100 point system then translated to a letter grade according to the following percentages:

A 93.34 – 100% A- 90.00 – 93.33B+ 86.68 – 89.99B 83.34 – 86.67B- 80.00 – 83.33C+ 76.68 – 79.99C 73.34 – 76.67C- 70.00 – 73.33D 69.99 and below Students are responsible for all information disseminated in class and all course requirements including deadlines and examinations. All assignments must be completed and turned in order to pass the class.

LATE WORKLate work will be accepted without penalty only in cases of documented excused absences as defined above.

INCOMPLETE WORKIncomplete work will not be accepted without the instructor’s prior approval and written agreement as to the revised due dates and grading policy. The grade of “incomplete” can only be given if the work is substantially complete and the student has documentation of legitimate circumstances.

EXTRA CREDIT WORKStudents are not allowed to submit extra work in an attempt to raise his or her grade.

ACADEMIC POLICIESAcademic policies for this course, including but not limited to accommodations for students with disabilities, statements on classroom conduct, statements regarding sexual harassment, and academic integrity, can be found in the University’s website at http://www.umn.edu/usenate/usen.usenpol.html

Classroom misconduct, violation of academic integrity, sexual harassment, and issues concerning students with disabilities should be reported to the College of Design’s Director of Student Services and to the Head of the School of Architecture.

MISCONDUCTAll students are responsible for conduct in conformance with the University of Minnesota Student Conduct Code.

Scholastic misconduct is broadly defined a “any act that violates the right of another student in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not necessarily limited to: cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student’s work.”

SEXUAL HARASSMENTUniversity policy prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the December 1998 policy statement, available at the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Questions or concerns about sexual harassment should be directed to this office, located in 419 Morrill Hall.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYThe College of Design has the right to retain any student project whether it is for display, accreditation, archive, documentation or any other educational or legal purpose. In addition, the College of Design reserves the right to reproduce and publish images of any student work in collegiate publications, printed or electronic, for the purpose of research scholarship, reaching publicity and outreach, giving publication credit to the creator/student.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESThis syllabus can be made available in alternative formats upon request; contact the School of Architecture office for facilitation.

Students with diagnosed and documented disabilities that affect their ability to fully participate in class or to meet all course requirements are encouraged to bring this to the attention of their instructor so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Further information is available from Disabilities Services (230 McNamara).

SUBJECT TO CHANGEWith the exception of the grading and attendance policies, parts of this syllabus are subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.