• Offered for Year: 2024/25

• Module Leader(s): Mr Daniel Mallo

• Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Aims

In the context of the current ecological crisis, ‘Climate Literacy: Tools for Action’ aims to deepen a multidisciplinary climate responsive approach to architectural, urban and landscape design through an in-depth study of tools, design principles and techniques that equip students with critical knowledge and understanding of design for Climate Action.

1. Reaffirm the significance of the spatial designer’s substantial and meaningful role in climate change responses in the built environment.
2. Develop an understanding and critically assess strategies of resilience, mitigation and adaptation, and their effects on climate change.
3. Develop a multi-scalar understanding of climate change and in-depth knowledge of viable practical solutions to climate change through case studies ranging from city to neighbourhood and building precedents.
4. Understand the role of low carbon design / net zero energy building design and building construction practices.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of responsible specification, and ethical sourcing to enhance well being, minimise embodied carbon, waste, and pollution and reduce demands on energy and water (RIBA T&V 3).

Outline Of Syllabus

The module builds on knowledge acquired in 3rd year’s APL3009 ‘Climate Literacy: Philosophies’. Through a series of lectures, seminar discussion and independent study, ‘Climate Literacy: Tools for Action’ introduces tools, principles and techniques for Climate Action through the in-depth analysis of successful case studies at a multiplicity of scales. Students are presented with a multidisciplinary, wide spectrum of climate responses including citywide and neighbourhood strategies, building precedents, design guidelines, industry standards and regulations.

The module commences with a brief introduction of the history of climate change in the Anthropocene era, and current responses of the international community to adapt and mitigate climate change - including CO2 and other greenhouse emissions goals, as well as the necessary commitments from building industry professionals to reduce the impact that design and buildings have on the environment. Material and technical concepts are introduced to equip students with necessary knowledge and understanding of key principles of embedded and operational energy, and the implications of responsible sourcing and detailing in energy reduction through the life cycle of buildings.

Case studies are introduced thematically and structured around scales ranging from city to neighbourhood and building precedents:
1. City scale strategies including proposals for circular economy and city-wide adaptation plans
2. Eco-districts and sustainable neighbourhood schemes including water, waste, energy, transport and food production strategies
3. Building community resilience – lessons from rural, autarchic and communities of energy
4. Energy efficiency through passive design strategies and nature-based solutions
5. Building with low embodied carbon – ‘retrofit-first’ principles: extending the life cycle of buildings and materials

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module will be delivered via both scheduled and structured learning activities. These include present in person lectures, which will provide students with weekly contact with the module leader and with their peers, and an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarifications or expand on the discussions in an informal manner. The assignments are also supported by means of present in person group seminars and drop-in surgeries where students have the opportunity to discuss content delivered and essay draft.

Should the public health situation not allow for present in person teaching, the scheduled lectures will be delivered through pre-recorded content blocks, two per session of 15- 30 minutes each, with weekly live online module talks and drop-ins. The pre-recorded lecture materials will be complemented by learning activities, which will provide students with the opportunity to reflect on the recorded material covered. The online synchronous module talks will be recorded, and made available for those that are unable to attend. In addition, the seminars and drop-in surgeries supporting the assignment will also be delivered as synchronous online.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework assessment allows students to critically reflect on key sustainable design concepts and terms, as well as, demonstrate an understanding of the principles of climate science, and apply knowledge of design strategies and techniques in responding to climate change.

The poster assignment (40%) demonstrates knowledge and understanding of thematic climate responses by creating a visual manifesto of tools for Climate Action, drawing from principles and tools introduced in the lectures and associated readings. In addition, the illustrated essay (60%) demonstrates critical skills and capacity to debate and review the implementation of the climate strategy presented in the poster through the in-depth discussion and graphic analysis of a case study precedent, and to do so within the context of mitigation and adaptation approaches to design for Climate Action.

Please note the 60%i illustrated essay submission must be passed in order to pass the module overall. A failing mark for the illustrated essay cannot be compensated with the poster component as Accreditation Criteria mapped for this module, including ARB Prescription Criteria, are assessed through the illustrated essay.

Reading Lists

• ARC8091's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• ARC8091's Timetable