By developing a deeper intuitive understanding of thermal sciences, the course allows students to approach the architectural design taking into account the physical phenomena responsible of the building behaviour. Moreover, by introducing the basics of the architectural science, the course provides knowledge of the physical principles and their relationship to human comfort, also by considering the control functions of the building (passive controls), associated installations, energy-using ‘active’ controls.

Since the performance of the built environment has greatest effect on energy use and sustainability, the lectures are finalized to study the interaction between buildings and environment, the environmental and energy problems and their connection with architectural design.

Basic subjects are thermodynamics, heat transfer, psychometrics, climatic conditions, thermal and visual comfort and their relation with energy and environmental performance of the buildings.

• Basic Concepts of Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

 - Energy, Energy Transfer, and General Energy Analysis

- Properties of Pure Substances

- Energy Analysis of Closed Systems

- Mass and Energy Analysis of Control Volumes

- The Second Law of Thermodynamics

- Entropy

- Thermodynamic Cycles

- Gas Vapor Mixtures and Air-Conditioning

- Mechanisms of Heat Transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)

• Basis of sustainable design 

- Thermal comfort

- Climate

- Thermal behaviour of buildings

- Passive controls design

- Active controls: HVAC

- Physics of light and vision

- Daylight and sunlight

- Electric lighting

- Energy sources and conversion

- Renewable energy

- Energy use and energy conservation

The knowledge gained equips the student with the tools to realize the potential of the good intentions of sustainable design.

The course structure includes ex-cathedra lectures with exercises.

The examination implies a written test:

• solving numerical problems
• theoretical questions with multiple answers on the topics of the course
• theoretical questions with open answers (succinct) on the topics of the course

  Based on the verification needs of the teacher or, if the written test is passed, based on the ambitions of the student, an additional oral examination could be eventually included:

• theoretical questions on the course topics, also with reference to parametric analysis and/or demonstrations

• questions designed to highlight the student's ability to develop connections between the various topics of the course

As an alternative to: Thermodynamics - An Engineering Approach; The sections of the chapters to be studied are only those corresponding to the content of the slides presented during the lectures

As an alternative to: Introduction to Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer; The sections of the chapters to be studied are only those corresponding to the content of the slides presented during the lectures

this book has to be studied entirely, including Data sheets and Method sheets, excluding the Part 3 (Sound)