4.489

Preparation for Building Technology PhD Thesis

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

Advisor
Spring
2023
3-0-3
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD BT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

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

Advisor
Spring
2023
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.453

Creative Machine Learning for Design

This class is a pre-approved Computation elective for Spring 2023.

Focuses on applications of machine learning (ML) for creative design generation and data-informed design exploration, with an emphasis on visual and 3-D generative systems. Explores how recent advances in artificial intelligence, and specifically machine learning, can offer humans more natural, performance-driven design processes. Covers a wide range of machine learning algorithms and their applications to design, with topics including neural networks, generative adversarial networks, variational autoencoders, dimensionality reduction, geometric deep learning, and other ML techniques. Includes an open-ended, applied research or design project demonstrating an original, creative use of machine learning for design, architecture, engineering, or art.

Renaud Danhaive
TA: Natasha Hirt
Spring
2023
3-0-9
G
3-2-7
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
4-265
Prerequisites
6.009 or permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 20
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.441
4.442

From the Solar House to Net Zero Buildings

UG: 4.441; Grad: 4.442

Provides necessary historic awareness and technical skills for becoming agents of change for a carbon neutral building sector by further merging the fields of architectural design and environmental performance analysis. Students are presented with a "typical" building and explore various interventions, from envelope improvements to reduced internal lighting and equipment loads, ventilation and HVAC upgrades as well as onsite deployment of photovoltaics. Discusses which energy flows to pay attention to for different building types and how to productively work with the local microclimate, knowledge which can later promote elevated discussions between architect and environmental consultant.

Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

Spring
2023
3-2-7
U
3-2-4
G
Schedule
TR 11-12:30
Location
1-150
Prerequisites
UG: 4.401 or permission of instructor; Grad: 4.464 or permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSA, Arch Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.440 J
1.056 J
4.462

Introduction to Structural Design

Note: 3/8/23 - 4.462 lab schedule changed to W 5-7 in room 8-205

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.

T.A.
Spring
2023
4.440: 3-3-6
U
4.462: 3-2-4
G
Schedule
MW 9:30-11
4.440 Lab: F 10-12
4.462 Lab: W 5-7
Location
Lecture: 3-333
4.440 Lab: 5-233
4.462 Lab: 8-205
Prerequisites
4.440: 18.02, 4.462: permission of instructor
Required Of
BSA
Restricted Elective
Arch Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.421

Space-Conditioning Systems for Low-Carbon Buildings

Consensus understanding of climate change identifies a need to drastically reduce anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases in coming decades, including those associated with buildings. In this course, we seek a thermofluids understanding of the basics of natural and mechanical systems for conditioning high-performance buildings and will develop and assess systems based on this understanding. We will for new and existing buildings. Can these and other buildings, large or small, meet municipal and global goals for decarbonization? Should they simply depend on a decarbonized grid or can energy consumption be substantially reduced relative to current practice? Can they be maintained at a comfortable temperature with little or no use of mechanical systems? Can waste heat at building or community scale be effectively captured and reused – or, at last resort, transferred to the environment with minimal environmental and financial cost?

Topics include the thermal and fluid dynamics of airflow in buildings, application to multi-zone wind- and buoyancy-driven airflows. Building cooling strategies will be motivated by mapping conventional and innovative cooling systems on the psychrometric chart. First-principles analysis and simulations with an equation-based language, Modelica, and with EnergyPlus will be used to quantify the performance of energy recovery systems, membrane- and desiccant-based dehumidification, evaporative cooling, thermal storage at diurnal (building materials) and annual (ground-coupled heat pumps) scales and radiant cooling and heat-rejection systems. Current-practice and advanced district heating and cooling systems will be explored. Working in groups and making use of design workflows under development at MIT and Harvard, we will assess climate- and building-specific systems based on thermal comfort, energy consumption, carbon emissions and resilience to climate change. Project-based testing of speculative proposals, based on natural or man-made systems, will be encouraged.

Spring
2023
3-2-4
G
3-2-7
G
Schedule
Lecture: M 2-3:30
Lab: M 3:30-5
Lab: W 9:30-11
Location
All meetings: 5-415
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.489

Preparation for Building Technology PhD Thesis

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

Advisor
IAP
2023
3-0-3
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD BT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

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

Advisor
IAP
2023
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
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