SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
ECOLOGICAL BUILDING DESIGN AND MATERIALS (EDHN6009)
Supplementary Material
Spring, 2025
Allama Iqbal Open University
Department of Nutritional Sciences & Environmental Design
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
Department of Nutritional Sciences & Environmental Design
Course: Ecological Building Design and Materials (EDHN6009) Semester: Spring, 2025
Level: PGD Credits: 3(3+0)
COURSE OUTLINE
REFERENCE BOOKS:
1. The Whole House Book: Ecological Building Design and Material, Cindy Harris and Pat
Borer, Second Edition.
UNIT 1: The ecology of built structures
1.1 Sustainable Cities
1.2 Countryside
1.3 The Location/site
1.4 The climate
1.5 Features of a Sustainable, Low-Impact Development
UNIT 2 The Healthy House Design Strategy
2.1 Pointers towards a healthy house
2.2 Principles of Building Elements
2.3 Foundations
2.4 Floors/Walls/Roofs/Windows
2.5 Drainage/Electrical Installations/Landscaping and Contraction Waste
UNIT 3:Resources and Materials
3.1 Environmental Impacts-Energy and Pollution
3.2 Resources and Waste
3.3 Environmental Assessment of Materials
3.4 Minimizing new resource consumption
3.5 Environmental advantages of renewable resources
3.6 Structural and Performance Advantages
UNIT 4: Energy Conservation
4.1 Climate Change
4.2 Fabric, Ventilation and Infiltration losses
4.3 Condensation and breathable constructions
4.4 Walls, Floors, Doors and Windows
UNIT 5: Energy Efficiency
5.1 Heating Bio-Fuels
5.2Electricity
5.3 Heating System
5.4Use less energy
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UNIT 6: Energy from the Sun
6.1. Solar geometry/geography
6.2. Solar space heating
6.3. Elements of solar heating
6.4. Direct gain (windows and walls)
6.5 Heat storage and conservations
UNIT 7: Water Conservation and Quality
7.1 Water leaks/ meters
7.2 Toilets/ compost toilets
7.3 Shower and taps/ using grey water
7.4 Water quality/ water filters
7.5 Collecting rainwater
7.6 Waste treatment
UNIT 8: Finance, Legislation and Cost
8.1 Sources of Finance
8.2 Legislation
8.3 Building Regulations
8.4 Energy rating schemes
UNIT 9: Case Studies
Course Brief
In order to understand the course content it is vital to know its aims and objectives properly, let’s
go through its aims and objectives first.
Course Objectives
1. Conceptualize the applications of ecological building design principles.
2. Identify the green building materials & evolve strategies to reduce the associated
environmental impacts.
3. Recognize the benefits of the quality of life, health, and well-being of humans in eco-
friendly buildings.
Details of the Course
Unit no. 1 introduces the effect of climate on the site at micro and macro levels which helps to
build sustainable structures.
Unit no. 2 explains how to understand the interaction between the external climate, the building
fabric, and the human body as a result of a healthy indoor environment.
Unit no. 3 describes the environmental impact of different building materials and discusses the
ways to minimize new resource consumption.
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Unit no. 4 elucidates the impact of global warming and climatic change impact on new design
and existing buildings.
Unit no. 5 describes the characteristics of energy-efficient houses.
Unit no. 6 helps to understand the phenomenon of solar energy and its efficient utilization in
detail.
Unit no. 7 deals with a number of ways to reduce overall water consumption and to use water
more efficiently for household purposes.
Unit no. 8 focuses on building finance and building regulations which help to build a new
structure or remodel the existing one.
Unit no. 9 discusses case studies as successful examples from different locations around the
globe under different climatic conditions.
This course will, therefore, inculcate the principles of ecological building design and provide
guidelines for selecting sustainable building materials.
Assignments
The course includes two assignments, which are compulsory for successful completion of the
whole course. Each assignment is of 100 marks and out of these students obtaining 50 marks will
be declared passed.
Assignments no. 1 and 2 are theory-based assignments and must be submitted through the
online Aaghi LMS portal before the due date. The schedule for submitting the assignment will be
provided accordingly. The tutor will upload the assignment marks online on the Aaghi portal as
well.
Final Examination
At the end of the semester there will be a final examination, all the students will be expected to
take this examination in the examination halls especially established for this purpose. For any
queries, you can write to the course program coordinator. Suggestions for improvement will also
be welcomed.
We wish you all the best.
Programme Coordinator
Department of NS & ED
AIOU, Islamabad
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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY
(Department of Nutritional Sciences & Environmental Design)
WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING THE
ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM THE AWARD OF
DEGREE/ CERTIFICATE IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM OTHER(S) AS
ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN “AIOU PLAGIARISM
POLICY”.
Course: Ecological Building Design and Materials (EDHN6009) Semester: Spring, 2025
Level: Postgraduate
Credit: 3(3+0)
Please read the following instructions for writing your assignments. (AD, BS, BEd, MA/MSc,
MEd) (ODL Mode).
1. All questions are compulsory and carry equal marks but within a question the marks are
distributed according to its requirements.
2. Read the question carefully and then answer it according to the requirements of the
questions.
3. Avoid irrelevant discussion/information and reproducing from books, study guides or allied
material.
4. Handwritten scanned assignments are not acceptable.
5. Upload your typed (in Word or PDF format) assignments on or before the due date.
6. Your analysis and synthesis will be appreciated.
7. Late assignments can’t be uploaded at LMS.
8. The students who attempt their assignments in Urdu/Arabic may upload a scanned copy of
their handwritten assignments (in PDF format) on University LMS. The size of the file
should not exceed 5MP.
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50
Assignment No. 1
(Units: 1-4)
Q.1 Define a sustainable city. What role does climate play in sustainable and low-impact
development? (20)
Q.2 How does climate change influence energy conservation in buildings? How do building
materials influence indoor air quality and occupant health? (20)
Q.3 What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources? Discuss
the benefits of using renewable resources in building construction. (20)
Q.4 How does climate change influence energy conservation in buildings? How can the
environmental impact of construction waste be minimized? (20)
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Q.5 What are the main causes of heat loss in a building's fabric and ventilation system? How
does proper ventilation impact indoor air quality? (20)
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50
Assignment-2
(Units: 5-9)
Q.1 What are the key principles of energy-efficient building design? What strategies can be
used to reduce household electricity consumption? (20)
Q.2 What is the difference between passive and active solar energy? How does solar
geometry affect the efficiency of solar energy systems? (20)
Q.3 Why is water conservation important? How can rainwater harvesting contribute to
sustainable water management? (20)
Q.4 What is the purpose of energy rating schemes in building design? What is the role of
building codes in sustainable building practice? (20)
Q.5 What challenges are commonly faced in implementing sustainable building projects?
Discuss any two examples of sustainable building design. (20)
Marking Guide
It is anticipated that the tutors mark the assignments carefully and follow a similar marking
standard for all the students.
Please follow the guidelines below:
Assignment 1.....................................100 Marks
Theoretical Understanding.................50
Practical Understanding.....................50 Marks
Assignment 2.....................................100 Marks
Theoretical Understanding.................50
Practical Understanding.....................50 Marks
You are expected to adhere to the guidelines to maintain standardization and uniformity.
