Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Sustainability II
Other languages of instruction: English
Teaching staff
Teaching Staff:
- Lead Lecturer: Gil Vinyeta Medina
- Assistant Lecturers: Juan Gallostra Acín
Introduction
The objective of the Sustainability II course is to build upon the knowledge acquired in Sustainability I and provide students with technical, critical, and applied tools to design architecture based on environmental, energy, social, and economic sustainability criteria. The course focuses particularly on understanding and quantifying sustainability in architectural projects, incorporating strategies for reducing energy demand, optimizing energy consumption, integrating renewable energy generation, conducting life cycle assessments, and objectively evaluating environmental impacts.
The course is conceived as a bridge between the conceptual foundations of sustainability and their professional application. For this reason, it goes beyond introducing key concepts and seeks to help students think critically, develop arguments, and build their own professional judgment in response to the current challenges of sustainable building design.
The course is based on the recognition that the building sector accounts for a significant share of global energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Consequently, architectural design plays a critical role in the transition toward low-emission models, nearly zero-energy buildings, Net Zero buildings, and life-cycle decarbonization strategies.
Throughout the semester, students will explore concepts such as Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Carbon, carbon footprint, embodied carbon, operational carbon, energy demand, energy consumption, primary energy, final energy, useful energy, renewable energy generation, and life cycle assessment.
The course is structured around five theoretical sessions, four practical sessions, one technical visit to a benchmark building, and a final examination. The teaching methodology combines lectures, debates, individual and group work, end-of-session quizzes, and practical exercises, with the aim of exposing students to real-world professional situations.
Pre-course requirements
Objectives
The main objectives of the course are:
- To expand the knowledge acquired in Sustainability I and consolidate a critical understanding of sustainability applied to architecture.
- To provide students with tools for applying sustainability criteria throughout the architectural design process.
- To analyse architectural strategies and actions aimed at reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, and supporting the decarbonisation of the built environment.
- To prepare students to address real-world challenges and communicate sustainability concepts confidently in both professional and personal contexts.
- To understand the current regulatory and strategic framework for sustainability, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation, including the Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal, the EU Taxonomy Regulation, Fit for 55, the Renewable Energy Directive, and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
- To understand the relationship between energy demand, energy consumption, and renewable energy generation as a foundation for designing Net Zero Energy buildings.
- To introduce life cycle assessment and carbon footprint analysis as tools for evaluating a building’s environmental impact beyond its operational phase.
- To apply practical methods for energy and environmental assessment and compliance through exercises linked to architectural projects.
- To encourage participation, critical thinking, debate, and the development of independent professional judgement as essential components of the learning process.
- To promote interaction with industries, companies, and organisations within the building sector that have integrated sustainability as a strategic component of their business development, enabling students to learn from real-world experiences, innovative solutions, and best practices implemented across the industry.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 37 - Ability to develop functional programmes for buildings and urban spaces.
- 38-T - Ability to intervene, maintain, restore and renovate heritage buildings.
- 40 - Ability to express architectural criticism.
- 41-T - Ability to find solutions for passive environmental conditioning, including thermal and acoustic insulation, climate control, energy performance and natural lighting.
- 47-T - Ability to prepare environmental and landscaping surveys and plans to correct environmental impacts.
- 49 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the history of architecture.
- 52 - To acquire adequate knowlege of the environment, sustainability and the principles of conserving energy and environmental resources.
- 53 - To acquire adequate knowledge of architectural, urban development and landscaping traditions of Western culture, as well as their technical, climate, economic, social and ideological foundations
- 56 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the principles of vernacular architecture
- 57 - To acquire adequate knowledge of urban sociology, theory, economy and history.
- 58 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the methodological principles of urban planning and metropolitan and regional development.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completion of Sustainability II, students will be able to:
- Understand sustainability as an integrated component of the architectural design process rather than as an additional requirement applied afterwards.
- Correctly distinguish between energy demand, energy consumption, final energy, primary energy, and useful energy.
- Identify the factors that influence a building’s energy demand, including climate, building morphology, thermal envelope performance, ventilation, daylight availability, and internal loads.
- Recognise energy consumption reduction strategies associated with efficient technical systems, heat recovery, distribution networks, radiant systems, ventilation, Building Management Systems (BMS), and proper building commissioning.
- Evaluate the role of renewable energy generation, particularly photovoltaic systems, in offsetting optimised energy consumption.
- Understand the Net Zero building concept from its different perspectives: energy, carbon, water, and waste.
- Interpret the carbon footprint of a building by considering direct and indirect emissions, embodied carbon, and operational carbon.
- Apply practical energy and environmental assessment tools to the development of architectural projects.
- Prepare technical deliverables that objectively and rigorously justify the sustainable strategies adopted within a project.
- Participate actively and critically in class debates, quizzes, and practical exercises, recognising error and revision as essential elements of the learning process.
Syllabus
The course is structured around five theoretical sessions, four practical sessions, one technical visit to a benchmark building, and a final examination. The content progresses from the fundamental principles of sustainability to the practical application of energy and environmental assessment methodologies within architectural projects.
Block 1. Fundamentals of Sustainability- Course introduction.
- Initial assessment of the group.
- Debate on sustainability, building design, and professional responsibility.
- The building sector as a major contributor to energy consumption and carbon emissions.
- Global and European decarbonisation framework.
- Paris Agreement, European Green Deal, EU Taxonomy, Fit for 55, and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
- Introduction to the concepts of Net Zero, Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Carbon, Net Zero Water, and Net Zero Waste.
- Difference between energy demand and energy consumption.
- Factors influencing heating and cooling demand.
- Thermal envelope, orientation, building morphology, and climatic conditions.
- Natural ventilation and air renewal.
- Daylighting and internal loads.
- Passive demand-reduction strategies.
- Components of energy demand: environmental comfort, artificial lighting, and equipment.
- Final energy, primary energy, and useful energy.
- Efficient technical systems for HVAC, ventilation, domestic hot water, lighting, and equipment.
- Energy production, distribution, and management.
- District heating and cooling networks.
- Domestic hot water production using biomass, heat pumps, solar thermal energy, and semi-instantaneous systems.
- Cold and hot water distribution systems.
- Terminal systems: radiant ceilings, radiant floors, fan-coils, induction units, and variable-flow systems.
- Ventilation, heat recovery, free cooling, CO₂ sensors, and pressure-loss reduction.
- Equipment location and efficient network design.
- Building Management Systems (BMS) and commissioning.
- Renewable energy generation in urban environments.
- Photovoltaics as the main strategy for urban tertiary buildings.
- Biomass, biogas, and green hydrogen as complementary energy vectors.
- Relationship between optimised consumption and required photovoltaic area.
- Annual production criteria expressed in kWh/m².
- Comparison between conventional buildings, nZEB buildings, and NZEB buildings.
- Real-life examples of NZEB, Net Zero, and positive-energy buildings.
- Carbon footprint concept.
- Direct and indirect emissions.
- Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
- Initial and residual embodied carbon.
- Operational carbon.
- Life cycle assessment applied to buildings.
- Carbon reduction strategies for new and existing buildings.
- Low-carbon materials.
- Circular design and circular economy strategies.
- End-of-life, residual value, and circularity criteria.
The objective of the first exercise is to introduce students to building energy assessment and the objective justification of energy performance.
Part 1. Definition of the Case Study
- Project selection.
- Collection of geometric, construction, and functional data.
- Identification of the thermal envelope.
- Definition of systems and operating conditions.
- Introduction to the calculation tool.
Part 2. Simulation, Analysis and Optimisation
- Obtaining energy performance results.
- Interpretation of indicators.
- Identification of critical issues.
- Proposal of improvement measures.
- Comparison between the baseline and the optimised scenario.
- Submission of a technical report.
The objective of the second exercise is to introduce students to the quantification of environmental impacts through carbon footprint and life cycle assessment methodologies.
Part 1. Scope Definition and Data Collection
- Introduction to the carbon footprint concept.
- Identification of direct and indirect emissions.
- Relationship with Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
- Selection of building elements or systems to be assessed.
- Collection of quantities, material data, and environmental information.
Part 2. Calculation, Interpretation and Reduction Strategies
- Calculation of associated emissions.
- Interpretation of embodied and operational carbon.
- Identification of the highest-impact materials.
- Proposal of low-carbon alternatives.
- Circularity and end-of-life strategies.
- Submission of a technical report.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is delivered in person and combines different teaching methodologies aimed at promoting progressive learning and the practical application of acquired knowledge.
The learning activities carried out throughout the course include:
- Lectures.
- Presentation and analysis of real-world case studies.
- Open discussions and debates.
- Individual and group work.
- End-of-session quizzes.
- Practical exercises linked to architectural projects.
- Technical visit to a benchmark building.
- Final examination.
The teaching approach encourages active student participation and engagement throughout the learning process. Assessment considers not only the final outcome but also participation, attitude, the methodology followed, and the ability to analyse, justify, and communicate decisions. The course promotes an open environment for dialogue, debate, and the development of independent professional judgement.
The course acknowledges the use of artificial intelligence tools as part of today’s professional environment. However, these tools are not considered a substitute for critical thinking, technical culture, or personal knowledge. Particular value will be placed on original contributions, independent reflection, and responses expressed in the student’s own words as evidence of understanding and critical reasoning.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Class exhibition | 37 38-T 39-T 40 41-T 42 43-T 44-T 45-T 46 47-T 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 | 0,42 |
| Class participation | 37 38-T 39-T 40 41-T 42 43-T 44-T 45-T 46 47-T 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 | 0,42 |
| Clase practice | 37 38-T 39-T 40 41-T 42 43-T 44-T 45-T 46 47-T 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 | 0,46 |
| Tutorials | 37 38-T 39-T 40 41-T 42 43-T 44-T 45-T 46 47-T 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 | 0,46 |
| Individual or group study | 37 38-T 39-T 40 41-T 42 43-T 44-T 45-T 46 47-T 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 | 1,75 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Assessment Criteria
Student performance will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Understanding of the fundamental concepts of sustainability, energy, and carbon.
- Ability to relate energy demand, energy consumption, and renewable energy generation.
- Ability to interpret energy and environmental performance indicators.
- Rigour in the application of calculation and assessment tools.
- Clarity and accuracy in the presentation of results.
- Critical thinking and argumentation skills.
- Participation and attitude throughout the course.
- Punctuality in submitting assignments.
- Originality and independent development of responses.
- Ability to link sustainability strategies with architectural decision-making.
Assessment is based on a continuous evaluation system combining participation, practical assignments, and a final examination.
- Continuous Assessment (15%)
- Timely submission of class notes: 5%
- End-of-session quizzes: 10%
- Practical Exercise 1. Energy Performance Assessment (20%)
- Preliminary exercise: 5%
- Final practical submission: 15%
- Practical Exercise 2. Carbon Footprint and Life Cycle Assessment (20%)
- Preliminary exercise: 5%
- Final practical submission: 15%
- Final Examination (45%)
- Individual integrative assessment.
- Evaluation of theoretical concepts.
- Reasoned application of energy and environmental criteria.
- Interpretation of results and technical argumentation.
Each student or group, as determined at the beginning of the course, will be required to submit:
- Session notes or evidence of course participation.
- End-of-session quizzes.
- Preliminary Exercise for Practical Exercise 1.
- Final submission of Practical Exercise 1.
- Preliminary Exercise for Practical Exercise 2.
- Final submission of Practical Exercise 2.
- Final examination.
Practical submissions must include a brief report describing the initial data, methodology, results obtained, critical interpretation, and proposed improvement measures. Particular value will be placed on proposals that are clearly justified through energy, environmental, and architectural criteria.
Additional Notes- Attendance, punctuality, and active participation are considered essential for the proper development of the course.
- All assignments must be submitted within the established deadlines. Late submissions may be penalised or not accepted unless justified by valid circumstances.
- Feedback and correction sessions will be conducted during class hours and form an integral part of the learning process.
- The use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted as a support resource, provided that students are capable of reviewing, validating, reformulating, and critically defending the submitted content. Automatically generated, generic, or poorly understood responses will not be accepted.
- In the resit examination period, the examination will account for 45% of the final course grade. The remaining marks corresponding to continuous assessment and practical assignments will be maintained according to the results obtained during the course.
Bibliography and resources
- Codi Tècnic de l'Edificació (CTE).
- Directiva Europea d'Eficiència Energètica dels Edificis (EPBD).
- Edificis de Consum d'Energia Quasi Nul (nZEB).
- Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB).
- Net Zero Carbon Buildings (NZCB).
- Anàlisi del Cicle de Vida (ACV).
- Petjada de carboni aplicada a l'edificació.
- Economia circular aplicada al sector de la construcció.
- Certificacions ambientals i energètiques d'edificis.
- Casos d'estudi i exemples d'arquitectura sostenible contemporània.