ARCH4231A Computational Tools for Environmental Analysis in Design Studios
Target Students BSSc4
Course Term 2
Course Type Electives
Teacher HE, Yueyang
Climate responsiveness is a key concern in tropical and subtropical architecture, where high temperature, intense solar radiation, and monsoon-driven wind shape the livability of built environments. This course is designed to support undergraduate studio projects by introducing user-friendly computational tools, step-by-step tutorials, and fundamental theories—presented in a design-oriented manner—to inform environmental design.
As architectural priorities shift, environmental performance has become just as important as the traditional focus on aesthetics, form, and symbolism. In the face of climate change and increasing demands for urban resilience, architects are expected not only to create visually compelling designs but also to deliver resilient, evidence-based solutions. This course responds to that shift by equipping students with the technical skills and critical mindset needed to address environmental imperatives through design.
The course explores how daylight and natural ventilation simulations can be integrated into the design process. Students will learn to prepare and interpret simulation data, apply simulations to studio projects, and evaluate the environmental performance of design scenarios. Additionally, students are encouraged to critically reflect on how simulation results influence design decisions and how to reconcile performance-driven adaptations with architectural intent.
The course is open to undergraduate students of all years. Through hands-on exercises using simulation tools, students—especially those in their final years (Year 3 and Year 4)—will gain critical, future-ready skills that enhance their competitiveness in the job market and their ability to contribute to sustainable architectural practice.
As the course is designed to complement design studios, studio project teams are encouraged to enroll together. Individual team members seeking to strengthen the environmental analysis and evidence-based aspects of their projects are also warmly welcomed.
