Circular Construction, Conscious Design and Certification

Code:

50149C5

Acronym:

CCCDC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Arquitetura e construção sem definição precisa

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Tecnologia da Construção (TC)
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Degree in Architecture

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIARQ	9	MIARQ	4	-	3	-	81
			5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The UC aims to raise students' awareness of the impact of buildings on environmental and social ecosystems, studying and discussing, throughout the sessions, some topics that can inform the construction of an individual position.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended, with the structure and organization of the sessions and with the content covered, that students develop analytical skills, critical sense and a general understanding of the issues addressed. It is intended to ensure a mastery of basic knowledge that informs their future practice as architects. At the same time, we promote the elaboration of essays/reports where they develop critical analysis skills, argumentative basis and comprehensive framework of the issues addressed.

Working method

Presencial

Program

The Curricular Unity program will be based on the following topics, to which others may be added whenever the case studies determine it, discussing the concepts, impacts, and various forms of action.

• Circular Economy and Circular Construction;
• Biomimetics, or the lessons of Nature;
• The lessons of vernacular architecture;
• Hygiene, health, comfort, and economy;
• Natural materials, earth, wood, and other vegetal materials;
• Life Cycle Analysis;
• Design for deconstruction;
• Building maintenance and conservation;
• Building rehabilitation and reuse;
• Environmental and Energy certification;
• The role of technology and innovation;
• Social equity and built environment.

Mandatory literature

Paul Oliver; Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World. ISBN: 0521564220
Maria Fernandes; Arquitectura de terra em Portugal. ISBN: 972-8479-36-0
Lindsay Asquith; Vernacular architecture in the twenty-first century. ISBN: 0-415-35795-0
Mariana Correia; Versus. ISBN: 978-2-906901-78-0
Octávio Lixa Filgueiras; Da função social do arquitecto
Thomas Herzog; Timber construction manual. ISBN: 3-7643-7025-4
Bernard Rudofsky; Architecture without architects. ISBN: 0-8263-1004-4
Sindicato nacional dos arquitectos; Arquitectura popular em Portugal
Benyus, Janine M. ; Biomimicry : innovation inspired by nature, Morrow, 1997
McDonough, William A. & Michael Braungart; Cradle to cradle: remaking the way we make things, North Point Press, 2002

Comments from the literature

Complementary other texts will be provided for critical reading and discussion during the sessions.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching method is based on the articulation between small modules presenting theoretical contents and case studies, with critical discussion sessions that evaluate the opportunity and relevance of the presentations, the case studies presented, and the impacts of the topics in the contemporary condition of architectural practice and in the built environment.

It will always be sought to establish links with contents taught by other curricular units, complementing the normal classes with invitations to various 'actors' and, if possible, external visits.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	50,00
Prova oral	15,00
Trabalho escrito	35,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	8,00
Frequência das aulas	33,00
Trabalho de campo	8,00
Trabalho de investigação	16,00
Trabalho escrito	16,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Obtain frequency any the student regularly inscribed that do not exceed the maximum allowable absences - 25% of teaching weeks (RGACMIAF - Art 9º, No. 6).

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification will be a weighted sum of the work evaluation, of its public presentation and discussion, and of the evaluation made during the classes, including assiduity criteria.
A final classification equal or superior to 9.5 is required for Approval.

Examinations or Special Assignments

The work to be done will be developed in pairs/small groups in order to promote critical discussion, which can be encouraged at key moments. The final work will be documentally delivered and defended orally. 

Observations

All the evaluation classifications will be expressed in a 0 to 20 scale. 
All documents presented for evaluation should be the exclusive work of their legitimate authors.


According to the evolution of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, and depending on the guidelines that may be issued by the Directorate-General for Health, there may be changes to the operating regime for regular classes. What is foreseen at this stage is an exclusively non-presential regime.