Sustainable house

Project: Sustainable house

PROF.RENATO ALESSI

I.I.S. Vincenzo Ragusa E Otama Kiyohara, Palermo – Italy

 

Introduction  

 

The impact of human activities has reached an unsustainable level for the planet. Architecture is one of the human actions that has the greatest consequences on the environment. Today, however, thanks to the development of sustainable architecture, it is possible to build the human environment in harmony with the natural habitat. Through the knowledge and study of the scenario, namely the human transforming the natural environment, students will face the dilemma: how is it possible to build beautiful and sustainable architectures? Students will imagine a transition society through architectural design, from unsustainable to sustainable, focusing on increasing liveability, reducing pollution and using renewable energy sources.

Following the Design Circle, they will define the field of study through a research phase on sustainability and transition, with the help of videos and the internet. In the conception phase, through experimenting and sharing their ideas continuously with their peers, students will seek solutions to specific problems. In the manufacturing phase students will express and execute their idea of transition through digital modelling of a project, rendering and 3D printing of scale models. 

Theme: Sustainability of life in cities and communities

Age of students: 16 -20 years old

Aim:

·         Develop the skills and attitudes of active citizenship

·         Change the environment through architecture in a way that gives daily  comfort to man and that is sustainable for the planet

Pre-knowledge -Rhinoceros software

-CAD SW for architectural modeling and rendering

– Google SW cloud and Google Drive for files archive

Learning goals

● Social skills

(21st century

skills?)

● Knowledge

(theoretical

knowledge)

● practical skills

 

·         GOAL 1)  Access information efficiently (time) and effectively (sources)

·         GOAL 2)  Evaluate information critically and competently

GOAL 3)  Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

GOAL 4)  Increase sustainability of the living space in our community

GOAL 5)  Create a methodology for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable

GOAL 6)  Increase sustainability in our HOUSE, in our SCHOOL, in our PARKS, in  a city that is in drought condition.

Time 1-year project
Assessment Class presentation

Oral interview

Written reports

Designs produced

Products of fabrication

Observation of the team work and of the individual work

Surveys

Resources and materials 1 teacher, 1 assistant

-computer lab

-internet to research on the theme of  “transition to the sustainability of life in our cities  and communities” ;

-Architect’s design manual

-2030 agenda of UN goals

-Rhinoceros software

-CAD software for architectural modeling and rendering

-3D printer

Additional resources:

●     https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SNwR8eY8sbVrtqgcUSMDu9D6r8j_kDXI

●     http://transitionitalia.it/cose-la-transizione-2/

●     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Zgh17fIyo&t=30s

●     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyIPiyVtjOM

●     http://www.la7.it/non-classificati/rivedila7/la7-doc-evitare-lapocalisse-17-02-2018-234314

 

 Lesson 1

 

 

 

Introduction

 

In this lesion, we discuss:

·         Unsustainable conditions for the life of the planet.

·         Difficulty of suddenly changing lifestyles from unsustainable to sustainable.

·         The movement of transition.

Time 2 hours
Phase of the DBL model Design brief & fieldstudy
Lesson goals/design output

(What will the students have archived after this lesson?)

Knowing the meaning of the word “sustainability” and of “the movement of transition”.
Activity Use of  internet to research on sustainability and  watching videos on the Transition movement.

Division of the class into heterogeneous groups to research on sustainability and transition movement

Groups share findings and ideas

materials Computer lab, internet
Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century

skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical

knowledge)

● practical skills

·         -Access information efficiently (time) and effectively (sources)

·         -Evaluate information critically and competently

-develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

Extra Seven videos: “Video pillole per la transizione” by Cristiano Bottone (Transition Italia.it)
Expert tips ————

 

Lesson2

Introduction Going through the meaning of sustainability and  sustainable cities
Time 2 hours
DBL phase model Field study
Lesson goals/design output -Reflect on the concept of sustainability and transition

-How to pass from unsustainability to sustainability city : find out possible solutions

-Put ideas together.

-Reach agreements.

Activity

 

– individual and group research on the internet

– Brainstorming on  a possible transition city

-Share ideas

Materials

 

Computers, paper, pencils
Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical knowledge)

● practical skills

Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration
Extra
Expert Advice ——————

 

 

Lesson 3

Introduction Sustainable Palermo
Time 2  hours
DBL phase model (Fieldstudy &) Ideation
Lesson Goals / results Design Put ideas together

Reach agreements

Activity ·         Generate ideas to make more sustainable houses, schools and parks in Palermo

·         Share ideas in the classroom

At this point, the field of research focused on the  design themes: each student developed a presentation where s/he identified technological, scientific, formal and creative themes that s/he wanted to apply in her/his own sustainable architectural design.

Here are some of the themes dealt with:
-How to Reduce Energy Consumption;
-Solar Energy;
-Thermal Solar Energy;
-Photovoltaic Systems;
-Solar Concentration;

– Solar Roof;
-Compost and Compost Bins;
-Desalination of brackish and Salt Water;
-The Most Sustainable Schools in the World;
-Solar lighting:  Photovoltaic  Street Lamps, Environmentally Sustainable  Building Materials;
– Public Parks and Eco-sustainability, the Transition Phenomenon in Parks: Urban Vegetable Gardens, Zero-Energy Funfairs;
Rainwater System: A Convenient Choice;
Eco-friendly Heating;
– Sustainable Schools and places where to find them;
– Sustainable cooling systems.

Materials -computer lab

-internet

-Architect’s design manual

-2030 agenda of UN goals

Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical knowledge)

● practical skills

-Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

-Increase sustainability of the living space in our community

-Create a methodology for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable

-Increase sustainability in our HOUSE, in our SCHOOL, in our PARKS, in  a city that is in drought condition.

Extra ————
Expert Advice ————

 

Lesson4

Introduction Sustainable houses, schools and parks in Palermo
Time 4 hours
DBL phase Fabrication
Lesson Goals / results Design Individually find solutions to create a sustainable house, school and cities in drought condition,

Share ideas

Activity Each of the students create their own projects, inspired by already existing ones, with the aim of making Palermo as livable  as possible, reducing pollution and using renewable energy sources.

Share and reflect

Materials -computers and internet

-Architect’s design manual

-2030 agenda of UN goals

-Rhinoceros software

-CAD software for architectural modeling and rendering

Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical knowledge)

● practical skills

 

-Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

-Create a methodology for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable

-Increase sustainability in our HOUSE, in our SCHOOL, in our PARKS, in  a city that is in drought condition.

– Increase the knowledge of design and rendering software.

Extra ——–
Expert Advice ——–

 

Lesson 5

Introduction Sustainable houses, schools and parks in Palermo
Time 4  hours
DBL phase Fabrication
Lesson Goals / results Design Fabricate 3D models
Activity -Fabrication of a house with a 3D printer.

-Modeling and rendering of sustainable  houses, schools and parks.

Materials -computer lab

-Architect’s design manual

-Rhinoceros software

-CAD software for architectural modeling and rendering

-3D printer

– google drive for sharing projects

Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical knowledge)

● practical skills

-Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

-Increase sustainability of the living space in our community

-Create a methodology for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable

-Increase sustainability in our HOUSE, in our SCHOOL, in our PARKS, in  a city that is in drought condition

– Increase the knowledge of design and rendering software

-Use a 3D printer

 

Extra
Expert Advice

 

Lesson 6

Introduction Sustainable Palermo
Time 1 hour
DBL phase model. Argumentation
Lesson Goals / results Design After this lesson, students are able to describe and argument choices of one’s own project through the product of fabrication, both CAD digital and material from fablab.
Activity The students show their products in front of the class, both digital and material, confrontation and argumentation follow to find out positive and negative elements.
Materials All products, both digital and material
Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical knowledge)

● practical skills

– Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

– Increase sustainability of the living space in our community

– Create a methodology for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable

– Increase sustainability in our SCHOOL, PARKS and CITY

– Gain expository and argumentative skills

– Enhance technical language

Extra
Expert Advice

 

Lesson 7

Introduction Sustainable Palermo
Time 1 hour
DBL phase model. Reflection
Lesson Goals / results Design Highlight both positive and critical aspects of the project through comparison
Activity Free expression of personal impressions on all the projects carried out,

identification of the critical issues to be resolved with possible changes to be made

Materials All products, both digital and material
Learning goals

● Social skills (21st century skills?)

● Knowledge (theoretical knowledge)

● practical skills

– Develop critical thinking through problem solving and  peer collaboration

– Increase sustainability of the living space in our community

– Create a methodology for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable

– Increase sustainability in our SCHOOL, PARKS and CITY

– Gain expository and argumentative skills

– Enhance technical language

Extra
Expert Advice