Fundamentals of Bioclimatic Design

Course Overview

Learners will discover how to design climate-responsive, energy-efficient buildings and leave empowered to apply bioclimatic innovation to their architectural design practices. Rooted in the fundamentals of climatology and building science, this course begins with mid-20th-century bioclimatic practices—focusing on "passive" building properties like thermal mass, natural ventilation, and solar orientation—and evolves to include smarter, "active" technologies that enhance comfort, health, and energy efficiency. This course provides structured, hands-on exercises that allow learners to test and refine their knowledge using scenarios like the Esherick House by Louis Kahn. Each module combines clear conceptual explanations, real-world examples, and technical insights, supported by both general ungraded and graded technical assignments. Designed for both aspiring and practicing architects, as well as professionals in related fields looking to deepen or broaden their environmental design perspective, this course offers a practical foundation without requiring direct calculations or complex tools.