The course examines the relationship between human beings and their environment both on a global and local scale in particular in the context of buildings. The course ranges from global considerations of energy consumption and climate change to local environment considerations affecting occupant health and well being; choice of materials with environmental constraints; bioclimatic design and designing for energy efficiency. Students are invited to explore this material from a theoretical and practical point of view.

The course combines a theoretical programme run by UEL with workshops run by CAT. The programme runs as a series of eight five day residential events. Seven of these events take place at CAT and one takes place in London. Each will consist of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials and covers the subject area described below with both a theoretical and practical content. After each session, students are given reading material which follows on from the teaching event and associated course work. Student support in the form of tutorials, some special lectures and visits are available in London at the times indicated in the Year Timetable or, where appropriate, by e-mail. All course material will be available on the course web page; a Distance Learning option is thus offered in this way.

UNIT 1 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
Environmental issues on a global scale; Global environmental objectives; Sustainability; World resources ENERGY World energy production, consumption, consequences and implications; Energy consumption breakdown in building types; Heat transfer; Thermal properties of buildings SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS Solar Radiation; Photovoltaic overview; Photovoltaic systems configuration; Photovoltaic system design and components; Photovoltaic integrated roofing systems; Practical sessions

UNIT 2 CLIMATE
Global climate; climate zones; Local climate due to buildings vegetation and topography; interaction of human beings with the climate; thermal comfort; Global warming and climate change. RENEWABLE ENERGY Renewable energy resources and opportunities. Renewable energy; wind; hydro; biomass; solar; wave and tidal HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS Waterpower; Small water turbines; Water wheels; Governors and electrical equipment; Water supply and pipes; Practical sessions

UNIT 3 VENTILATION AND COOLING
Principles of natural ventilation; Cooling techniques: ventilation; ground; night; radiation; evaporation; breathing walls WATER Water collection and economy in buildings; Waste water disposal; Dampness and condensation WATER TREATMENT AND CONSERVATION Basics of water sipply; Water efficiency and conservation; Water quality; Rain water collection; wells and springs; Waste water; grey water and urine; black water; Weird water; myths and legends; examples on site

UNIT 4 LIGHT
Daylight and Daylight Factor; Artificial light; Lighting: three dimensional effects; Sunlight and solar geometry; Solar irradiance COMPUTER ANALYSIS AND DESIGN METHODS Computer application: dynamic thermal simulation, lighting simulation, computational fluid dynamics DAYLIGHTING STUDY Daylight factor measurement in real buildings; Model study of daylight factor; real skies; Model studies of daylight factor; artificial sky; Computer evaluation of daylight factor

UNIT 5 HEALTH
Health aspects of environmental considerations. Sick building syndrome; Hazardous building materials; The effect of temperature on health; Air quality NOISE The effect of noise on people; Noise transfer between enclosures; Noise performance within enclosures; WIND POWER Wind energy; wind turbine rotors; Stand alone wind systems; Siting of wind machines; Grid linked systems; non aerodynamic design features; Windpumps; Vertical axis wind turbines; Electriacal systems for aerogeneration; Control systems

UNIT 6 MATERIALS
Description of materials within an environmental context; Embodied energy of building materials; Materials index. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Environmental assessment methods; Environmental indicators; Environmental impact assessment. THE WHOLE HOUSE Design for ecological building: site considerations; space and structure; finance and land; legislation and standards; Ecological building materials; Healthy buildings; The low energy house; Ecological renovation

UNIT 7 DESIGN
Climate influences on the design of buildings; Passive design principles; Environment sensitive design: housing, commercial buildings. SOLAR WATER HEATING Introduction to flat plate collectors; solar water instalation; Controls; System assembly; Practical sessions

UNIT 8 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
Earth buildings in hot climates; Basic methods and construction techniques; Soil analysis; Field and Laboratory tests and their reliability; Devon Cob experience; Stabilised block making and laying ALTERNATIVE BUILDING METHODS Classification of soils by particle size from clay, silt and gravel to rock; Stabilised soil; appropriate methods of soil stabilisation; Composite materials; Frames and membranes; Straw bale building; Timber preservation; round pole and sawn timber, plywood. Practical: Construction project.

Mode of study:
One year full time, two years part time.

Coursework requirements:
Students are expected to complete eight items of course work (each associated with one of the study events described above) and a final Thesis.

For more information, contact:
Joan Randle
Centre for Alternative Technology
Machynlleth
Powys
SY20 9AZ
Tel: 01654 705981
Fax: 01654 703605
Email: joan.randle@cat.org.uk
or
Mike Thompson
MSc Course Tutor
School of Architecture
University of East London
Holbrook Road
London
E15 3EA
Tel: 020 8 223 3215
Fax: 020 8 223 3296
Email: m.w.thompson@uel.ac.uk
Website: www.ceca.uel.ac.uk

or click the courses link at the top of the page.