New Design Studio at ETH Zurich: Design for Climate

In the studio 'Design for Climate', students practice the consistent integration and articulation of energy, climate and sustainability aspects in a design task. The Design Studio is led by Prof. Arno Schlueter, and jointly supervised by the professorships of Prof. Elli Mosayebi and Prof. Emanuel Christ/Prof. Christoph Gantenbein.

Objective
At the end of the Design Studio, students will have learned the following:
a) Understanding of bioclimatic, local and sustainable frameworks and their relevance for design (energy balance, microclimate, metabolism and comfort).
b) Being familiar with and applying relevant metrics, objectives and tools for quantitative consideration.
c) Recognising interaction between architectural form, construction, materialization and energy and climate.
d) Understanding an integrated design process that makes complexity manageable.

Content
The design task is an increase in height or density of the existing ensemble at the Farbhof in Zurich with the aim of minimizing overall emissions. The ensemble is of high quality and in a difficult urban location. The students are offered a selection of different buildings for in-depth study. Integrated into the design task, four modules are addressed: 1. climate and comfort, 2. energy demand and people, 3. building systems for sustainable supply, 4. total emissions. In addition to the final presentation, there will be two interim critiques. The work takes place in groups of two, with a maximum of six groups of two.

Prerequisites / Notice
Students should have a strong interest in how energy, climate and sustainability aspects can be integrated into a design task and the courage to explore and break new ground. An understanding of simple tools taught in Energy and Climate Systems 1 and 2, such as Ubakus, the CBE Thermal Comfort Tool and the Material Pyramid, is required. However, we are also happy to welcome students who already know advanced tools such as Hive, Ladybug or EnergyPlus and would like to apply them in the Design Studio.

Follow the link to the ETH Zurich Course Catalogue to register to the Design Studio: Design for Climate.