Analysis and Spatial Integration of Building Systems and Services

Teacher(s)

Bleil de Souza Clarice;

Language

English

Main themes

This learning unit explores building services (e.g., HVAC, water, fire protection, mobility, electricity), with a focus on their spatial dimension and design-related approaches. It introduces the physical and technological principles underlying these systems and networks and illustrates their impact on architectural design and form.  

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Describe HVAC and vertical transportation systems in buildings Explain the underlying design logics of HVAC, water, electricity generation and mobility networks for simple cases Explain the principles of means of escape and fire safety regulations Identify the spatial integration of these networks, regulations and approaches to buildings. Utilize this within the context of a design studio, one or more design and verification tools, as introduced during the course by the instructor and illustrated by examples or case studies.

Content

• Building services overview grounded in flows & functions
• Thermal behaviour of buildings
• Mechanical ventilation
• Cooling systems
• Heating systems
• Introduction to building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems
• Integrated drainage and rainwater reuse systems
• Overview of water and sewage systems
• Means of escape and fire safety issues
• Overview of vertical transportation
• People movement in buildings

Evaluation methods

Assessment will be based on two practical assignments covering all course content, analytical frameworks, and software tools taught throughout the classes. The first assignment is a portfolio of the coursework worth 70% of the final grade. The second assignment is a presentation (oral exam) summarising the portfolio worth 30%. The portfolio will be submitted online via Moodle while the presentation will happen during the January exams session.

Online resources

Moodle
LICAR2812: Dedicated page (under construction)
Online resources
Energy Plus Weather Data - https://energyplus.net/weather
EN standards (through UCLouvain portal): https://ils.bib.uclouvain.be/uclouvain/documents/3088135
Software:
Opaque: https://www.sbse.org/resources/opaque
Heatload: https://heatload.buildwise.be/quick-calc
PVGIS: https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/#PVP

Bibliography

• Brand, S. How Buildings Learn: What happens after they are built. Viking Press, New York (1994). 
• Szokolay, S. V., Introduction to architectural science: The basis of sustainable design. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. New York, 3rd edition 2014
• NBN EN 12831-1 Performance énergétique des bâtiments - Méthode de calcul de la charge thermique nominale - Partie 1 : Charge de chauffage des locaux
• Guide de la Performance energétique des bâtiments (PEB) à partir du 01/01/2021, Ed. SPW/EDIWALL, 2021
• Centre Scientifique et Technique de la construction, Note d’Information technique (NIT) 258 : Guide pratique des systèmes de ventilation de base des logements. Bruxelles Septembre 2016.
• Centre Scientifique et Technique de la construction, 1er complément à la Note d’Information technique (NIT) 258.1 : Exemple de conception d’un système de ventilation pour un logement. Bruxelles Aout 2024.
• Centre Scientifique et Technique de la construction, Innovation Paper 41 : Systèmes de ventilation innovants pour les logements en rénovation. Bruxelles Juin 2023
• NBN D 50-001:1991 Dispositifs de ventilation dans les bâtiments d’habitation.
• NBN EN 16798-1:2019 - Energy performance of buildings - Ventilation for buildings - Part 1: Indoor environmental input parameters for design and assessment of energy performance of buildings addressing indoor air quality, thermal environment, lighting and acoustics - Module M1-6
• CIBSE, Guide A: Environmental Design, 8th ed. London, UK: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, 2020.
• ASHRAE, 2025 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals. Peachtree Corners, GA, USA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 2025.
• Neufert, E., & Neufert, P., Architects' Data, 3rd ed., B. Baiche and N. Walliman, Eds. Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2008

Faculty or entity

> LOCI