This two-semester course teaches how buildings function, how they influence human well-being, and how they can contribute to the responsible use of resources. Using the HIL building at ETH Zurich as a case study, students examine topics such as air quality, daylight, heat, cooling, and energy supply.
The course is structured into four seasonal assignments, each focusing on a key aspect of the building:
- In autumn, students explore natural ventilation and simple heat gains.
- In winter, the focus shifts to heating systems, ventilation, and solar-generated heat.
- In spring, the course examines the use of daylight, shading, and electricity generation.
- Finally, in summer, students develop strategies for keeping spaces cool and storing energy over longer periods.
Each assignment follows a clear sequence: first, the existing building is analyzed from the perspective of users, comfort, and local conditions. Afterwards, students develop possible solutions, build models, and test their impact.
The course combines building forensics – meaning the measurement and evaluation of real data – with systems thinking across different scales, from the urban context down to individual building components. The insights gained lead to concrete design proposals, ranging from immediately implementable measures to visionary concepts that challenge existing standards.
