In the context of the climate crisis and rising temperatures, building enclosure technologies must respond to a plurality of requirements--including solar radiation control, thermal insulation, and heat storage--ideally, with minimal embodied carbon and at low cost.  While contemporary normative approaches tackle this with assemblies of highly specialized layers, alternative solutions are emerging that use geometric specificity and variation to integrate multiple high-performance behaviors in a humble and simplified material palette.  Shape-forward wall systems are well situated to leverage advances in digital fabrication, such as additive manufacturing of low-carbon materials like minimally processed earth, but can also be materialized with a range of traditional and emerging assembly and fabrication methods.

In this seminar, students will first study historical and contemporary precedents of relevant multi-functional wall and enclosure systems.  They will then learn to use state-of-the-art digital tools for designing, modeling, simulating, and optimizing these types of wall systems, accounting for the described thermal requirements along with embodied carbon and structural behavior.  The seminar will also include hands-on physical prototyping and experimental tests.  The final project will be an evidence-based design proposal, supported by digital simulations and physical experiments, for novel thermally performative enclosure systems and their potential impact on architectural expression.

Last summer, not a week passed without reminding us that climate change is increasingly impacting the life and livelihood of millions of people worldwide, be it through flooding, forest fires, heat waves or droughts.

These catastrophic events often destroy already fragile ecosystems and trigger heartbreaking human migration. To limit further tragedy, there is a growing consensus that we need to transition towards a carbon neutral global economy by 2050. This means that the use of all fossil fuels – with exception of some very limited carbon capture offsets – must be ended. For MIT this means, that we must eliminate all greenhouse gases from operating out campus buildings and vehicles.

To address this titanic challenge, MIT has initiated a series of interconnected activities including plans to decisively reduce energy demand from our buildings and reimaging our on and off campus energy supply infrastructure. While MIT hired a consultant to study the technical and economic feasibility of a number of decarbonization pathways a Decarbonization Working Group made of students, faculty and staff with expertise in different low- and zero-carbon technology areas and related topics will also to evaluate and prioritize potential applications to campus.

This class will function as an extension of the activities of this working group.

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

UG: 4.440, 1.056; Grad: 4.462

Introduces the design and behavior of large-scale structures and structural materials. Emphasizes the development of structural form and the principles of structural design. Presents design methods for timber, masonry, concrete and steel applied to long-span roof systems, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Includes environmental assessment of structural systems and materials. In laboratory sessions, students solve structural problems by building and testing simple models. 

Graduate and undergraduate students have separate lab sections.

In this seminar, you will learn how to learn about and design a HVAC system that complements the environmental concept of a medium sized commercial or multi-unit residential building. You will learn the pros and cons of different HVAC systems  in terms of their spatial requirements, costs and operational energy use. This class is particularly geared towards students who have previously taken 4.401/4.464 since we assume basic knowledge of building energy modeling techniques. Our goal is to give participants the skills to advocate for their design ideas when in practice to empower architects and building designers to have a greater understanding of HVAC systems with the aim of improving the integrated design process.

Knowledge of Rhino and Grasshopper is required. We will be using the ClimateStudio simulation environment long with custom spreadsheets and grasshopper definitions. You are strongly encourage to bring your own design and further develop it during the seminar. The final outcome of the class will be a presentation of the environmental concept of your design and if accompanying HVAC system. He material will lend itself for inclusion in a design portfolio.

Undergraduates with appropriate experience welcome.

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.