Architecture and Environmental Design Postgraduate Certificate

Program Overview

The Architecture and Environmental Design Postgraduate Certificate is a part-time program designed for building professionals and practicing architects seeking to update their knowledge and skills in environmental design. The program aims to provide a deeper understanding of the principles of environmental design and their effective application in architectural practice worldwide. The program focuses on a new paradigm of environmental architecture that is environmentally and energy conscious while being sensitive to the contextual and socio-cultural landscape. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the architectural profession, particularly in the field of environmental design.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Architecture and Environmental Design Postgraduate Certificate is a part-time program designed for building professionals and practicing architects seeking to update their knowledge and skills in environmental design. The program aims to provide a deeper understanding of the principles of environmental design and their effective application in architectural practice worldwide. The program focuses on a new paradigm of environmental architecture that is environmentally and energy conscious while being sensitive to the contextual and socio-cultural landscape. Students will learn environmental design methods that relate to the various stages of architectural design for a healthier and less energy and carbon-intensive built environment. The program's objectives include:

• Developing a thorough understanding of the principles and methodology of environmental design.
• Enhancing critical thinking skills to challenge established practices.
• Acquiring the knowledge and practical tools to design better buildings.
• Driving positive change in the field of architecture towards a truly environmentally conscious approach.

Outline:

The program is structured around two core modules:

• Fundamentals of Environmental Design (20 credits): This module introduces the fundamental principles of environmental design, focusing on the integration of zero-carbon and passive design strategies in architectural design.
It covers building physics and energy foundations, including heat exchange and energy balance of buildings, adaptive comfort theories, natural vs mechanical ventilation, passive vs mechanical heating and cooling, daylight, solar control, and artificial light in architecture. The module also explores the environmental and energy performance of building materials and their integration into building design, considering their application in minimizing the building's energy demand. The principles of environmental design are explored from the building inhabitant's requirements perspective and for a variety of building typologies and climatic contexts.
• Evidence-Based Environmental Architecture (40 credits): This module introduces the concept and practice of environmental architecture and methodologies for the evidence-based design of buildings and built environments.
It covers digital and analogue modelling and simulation tools necessary for the environmental design of new buildings and the spaces between and around buildings. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies are introduced for the design and performance prediction of new built environments. The module builds upon the fundamental principles and rule-of-thumbs introduced in Semester 1, exploring an evidence-based approach to design using a range of tools, including specialist software for performance analysis. This exploration provides the basis for testing and refining initial design intuitions developed in a design studio project. The design studio project focuses on a site in London (or other suitable location), serving as a live laboratory for design studies. This allows for an in-situ exploration of the site and the mutual relationship between buildings and their urban surroundings. Specifically, it allows for the exploration of the synergic effect of an environmental design agenda on the quality of the built environment and on the lifestyles of inhabitants in both present and projected future climatic and contextual scenarios. The module includes workshops where students are introduced to the latest modelling and simulation methods for generating new designs and their performance analysis. The software used includes Dynamic Thermal Simulation, Daylighting Analysis, and two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics. The main objective of the module is not only to teach a series of simulation software but to include them in a wider design methodology, which includes their responsible and measured application in the context of the various phases of the architectural design.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Practical: Presentations, podcasts, blogs
• Coursework: Essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Teaching:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Problem-based learning
• Blended learning
• Practical application
The program is taught by a dedicated group of experienced architectural practitioners, world-renowned scholars, and engineers.

Careers:

The program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the architectural profession, particularly in the field of environmental design. It is ideal for professionals who want to acquire or refresh their knowledge in evidence-based design, environmental architecture, and principles of building physics within a compact timeframe.

Other:

• The program emphasizes industry links, with lectures from guest speakers from academia and practice.
• Students have access to the latest modelling and simulation software, including Dynamic Thermal Simulation, Daylighting Analysis, and two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics.
• The program includes hands-on practical experiments and fieldwork, using specialist equipment and instrumentation for conducting on-site environmental monitoring and laboratory experiments.
• The program is located in central London, providing access to the city's rich and eclectic architectural heritage.
• The University of Westminster offers a range of facilities for students, including vibrant design studios, a cutting-edge Fabrication Laboratory, and an extensive Marylebone Library.
• The program is part of the School of Architecture and Cities, which has a strong research profile in a wide range of disciplines.

UK Fees:

£3,900 (Price per academic year)

International Fees:

£5,100 (Price per academic year) When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.