MSc Sustainable Design and Construction degree

This module will use building information modelling (BIM) to design and manage the whole life cycle performance of complex intelligent buildings. You will develop team skills through working in design groups to understand resilient design and to generate schematic concepts before developing the best. You will work with 3D architectural and engineering BIM models using appropriate software to further develop your concepts individually.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. resilient design and design detailing to minimise repairs, disruption, and potential health and safety risks
2. balancing costs, functionality and performance, quality, and the visual perception of a building in delivering best value
3. cradle to cradle life-cycle processes: achieving greater integration of the design, manufacture and construction processes and extend such integration through the life-cycle to span facilities management, mid-life upgrades and ultimate disposal, and reuse
4. the appropriate levels of design development corresponding to key RIBA work stages
5. the use of BIM as a technique for clash detection and the evaluation of buildability, maintenance and replacement of components
6. the interoperability and limitations of BIM in relation to building performance modelling.

You will also be able to:

This module will familiarsie you with and provide an understanding of the wide range of research methods and skills needed to investigate, understand, communicate and execute a research project.

You will plan a research project, including identifying the knowledge gap, framing the research question, identifying objectives and how they will be achieved, and recognising potential risks, the likelihood of them occuring and effective techniques to minimise risk.

You will review journal and conference papers, analysing, interpreting and critiquing the research approaches and methods. The module will also allow you to develop skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods, understand their applicability, and develop data analysis/visualistation techniques and tools.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. describe a wide range of methods required in order to develop and design research projects
2. understand the research process: aims and objectives, critical literature review, knowledge gaps and how to develop a relevant methodology for particular problems and designs
3. plan a master's level research project

This module will provide you with the fundamental principles of managing a project during the design and construction phases, including:

• design management
• construction technology
• estimating
• planning
• health and safety.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:

1. the importance of managing the design process
2. the design and construction of framed buildings, and evaluation of frame design problems
3. the role and principles of estimating and tendering, including critically evaluating a project estimate
4. the role and principles of planning construction projects and how to critically evaluate a project programme
5. the importance of health and safety in relation to design and construction activities.

You will also be able to:

1. analyse the components of simple frame structures
2. use an estimating software package
3. use a planning software package
4. conduct a health and safety risk register for a project.

This module will give you an understanding of the theories, principles and practice of sustainable design and construction. It will also introduce you to the main requirements, tools, technologies, methods, processes and systems required to develop a sustainable building.

Key concepts covered include:

• an introduction to sustainable development
• sustainable development goals
• conceptual and theoretical sustainability frameworks
• sustainability and corporate social responsibility
• sustainable design and construction principles
• sustainable design and construction strategies
• sustainability assessment schemes.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:

1. the principles of sustainable development and their relationships to building design and construction
2. sustainable development policies and strategies related to building design and construction
3. conceptual and theoretical sustainability frameworks
4. critical appreciation of the key environmental, social and economic sustainability issues that affect building design and construction
5. sustainability assessment tools, technologies, methods, processes and systems and their application across a building life cycle.

This module will provide you with experience of the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area of sustainable design and construction. 

The project will be driven by you with tutoring/research and reporting/training from your allocated supervisor.

Intended learning outcomes

1. On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:
2. defining a research topic and problem relating to new or emerging technologies or processes.
3. the design of a research project to explore a defined problem or research question
4. the application of an appropriate research methodology to conduct a research study, including selecting/adapting/designing and utilising suitable tools and techniques of data capture and analysis
5. the state-of-the-art of their chosen field of research and related theory
6. ethical issues in research, the impact of research studies on others and associated psychological and reputational risk implications. 

This module will give you an understanding of the application of automatic control and smart meters in energy monitoring and commissioning. You will also examine the control problems in buildings and develop control strategies that will improve thermal comfort and building energy use.

Key concepts covered include:

• local loop control (including proportional–integral–derivative [PID] control and sequencing of component operation)
• final control elements
• supervisory control (including optimum start control, control of natural ventilation and night cooling strategies)
• smart meters
• model predictive control (MPC)
• building energy management system (BEMS)
• commissioning of mechanical and passive systems
• 3M-monitoring
• maintenance and management
• fault detection
• soft landings
• post-occupancy evaluation (POE).

Intended learning outcomes

Key concepts covered, include:

• context: climate change, projected scenarios and adaptation, legislation and regulations
• process: building lifecycle, design process and procurement, engineering ethics and risk awareness
• principles: climate responsive design and low and zero carbon technologies and strategies
• assessments: climate analysis, carbon footprint, environmental assessment and lifecycle analysis
• decision-making: optimisation and risk-based decision-making, sensitivity analysis.

Intended learning outcomes

Intended learning outcomes

This module will provide you with experience of the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area of sustainable design and construction. 

The project will be driven by you with tutoring/research and reporting/training from your allocated supervisor.

Intended learning outcomes

1. On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:
2. defining a research topic and problem relating to new or emerging technologies or processes.
3. the design of a research project to explore a defined problem or research question
4. the application of an appropriate research methodology to conduct a research study, including selecting/adapting/designing and utilising suitable tools and techniques of data capture and analysis
5. the state-of-the-art of their chosen field of research and related theory
6. ethical issues in research, the impact of research studies on others and associated psychological and reputational risk implications. 

This module will develop your understanding of the principles of design management and techniques for cost and value management.

Key areas covered include:

• managing the design team
• value management
• briefing
• roles and workings of conceptual, schematic and detail design phases
• process protocol
• process mapping techniques
• dependence structure matrix
• design economics.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of the design process and techniques used to manage design in construction projects and control design costs.

You will be able to:

1. use process mapping techniques for design
2. analyse and optimise the design process
3. critique conceptual design alternatives and design plans
4. understand the internal workings of a design office and their relationship with the construction team
5. value engineer a design for a construction project
6. advise the client of a construction project on producing a briefing document
7. work with and manage a design team to produce multiple conceptual design alternatives (with related background studies) in response to a project brief
8. select and apply evaluative and decision support tools and techniques
9. devise cost plans.

This module will develop your knowledge of cutting edge contemporary management concepts and innovations and how these contribute to successful construction projects, including the management of risk and construction logistics.

Key areas covered include:

• site strategy
• risk management
• innovation
• building process
• off-site production
• logistics.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:

1. cutting edge construction innovation
2. the complexity of setting up and managing logistics on large construction sites
3. advanced construction management concepts, techniques and technologies
4. essential project management techniques such as risk management.

The creation, deployment and use of aggregated and integrated (levels 2 and 3) models are key goals of collaboration through Building Information Modelling (BIM). This module will give you hands-on practical skills on the use of BIM technologies (i.e. design software and collaboration tools) for real-time collaboration of federated/aggregated 3D BIM models. The theories of group working, workspace awareness and shared situational awareness within design teams/processes will be explored.

Key areas covered include:

• theory of group working
• collaboration processes and technologies
• aggregated BIM models containing various specialty 3D content (architecture, structures, and MEP)
• coordination of BIM models based on client brief, site conditions, cost targets, time constraints and code compliance
• real-time collaboration
• clash detection/avoidance
• BIM data standards and protocols
• common data environments.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:

1. technical and procedural aspects of real-time creation of aggregated BIM models (e.g. parametric architectural, and structural BIM models) in both Open BIM and Closed BIM platforms
2. common data environments as used in BIM processes and importing and exporting 3D BIM data through standard IFC and COBie formats
3. data formats or tools required for interoperability
4. BIM-related standards/protocols (e.g. BS1192 and PAS1192). 

This module will provide you with experience of the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area of sustainable design and construction. 

The project will be driven by you with tutoring/research and reporting/training from your allocated supervisor.

Intended learning outcomes

1. On successful completion of this module, you will have a knowledge and understanding of:
2. defining a research topic and problem relating to new or emerging technologies or processes.
3. the design of a research project to explore a defined problem or research question
4. the application of an appropriate research methodology to conduct a research study, including selecting/adapting/designing and utilising suitable tools and techniques of data capture and analysis
5. the state-of-the-art of their chosen field of research and related theory
6. ethical issues in research, the impact of research studies on others and associated psychological and reputational risk implications.