The Gist of Architecture
Some of the architecture programs on edX cover design, sustainability, urban planning, AI, history, and construction. Some are self-paced courses, while others are certificate or degree programs. edX’s architecture catalog also includes related topics such as sustainable construction, real estate, and urban design. # Course University Best For 1 The…
Energy-efficient buildings rely heavily on passive design strategies that reduce heating, cooling, and lighting demand before mechanical systems are introduced. According to multiple building performance studies, integrating passive measures during the design stage can significantly reduce operational energy consumption while improving occupant comfort and lowering lifecycle costs. Research from the…
Buildings are among the world’s largest consumers of energy, accounting for nearly 30% of global final energy consumption and approximately 26% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions from operations, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). With urbanization accelerating and energy costs continuing to fluctuate, improving building energy performance has become…
Material selection determines 40–80% of a building’s embodied carbon, depending on project type, structural system, and lifecycle assumptions. Low-Impact Construction require optimizing materials through measurable environmental indicators instead of cost-only decision making. The following framework focuses on quantifiable parameters used by sustainable construction professionals. Optimization Area Primary Objective Key Metrics…
Section Key Insights Important Data / Metric Primary Source Types of Data Center Water Consumption Water use is categorized into direct (onsite cooling) and indirect (electricity generation). Direct: Cooling towers, evaporative cooling, humidification. Indirect: Water used by power plants generating electricity. Nature Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) Industry-standard metric for measuring…
Rank Material Recycling Cost Skill Required Space Required Processing Time Practicality Overall Difficulty 1 Aluminum Very Low Very Low Very Low Very Fast Excellent ⭐ Very Easy 2 Steel Very Low Very Low Low Fast Excellent ⭐ Very Easy 3 Copper Low Low Low Fast Excellent Very Easy 4 Cardboard…
Rank Material Typical Embodied Carbon (kg CO₂e/kg) 1 Primary Aluminium 8–18 2 Stainless Steel 5–7 3 Carbon Steel 1.7–2.8 4 Plastics 2–6 5 Portland Cement 0.75–0.95 6 Glass 0.8–1.5 7 Fired Clay Brick 0.20–0.45 8 Gypsum Board 0.20–0.35 9 Concrete 0.08–0.20 10 Natural Stone 0.05–0.20 11 Engineered Timber 0.05–0.15 12…
1. Reuse and Renovate Existing Buildings Renovating and repurposing existing buildings instead of demolishing them is one of the most effective ways to reduce embodied carbon. Reusing the existing structure and foundations can cut construction emissions by up to 50%, while also lowering costs, improving energy efficiency, and reducing urban…
What is Embodied Carbon? Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated throughout the lifecycle of building materials before and after a building becomes operational. It includes emissions from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, maintenance, replacement, demolition, and disposal. 1. Why Embodied Carbon Has Become a…
1. Centralised Cooling Architecture & System ScaleThe Marina Bay District Cooling System (DCS) operates as one of the world’s largest underground district cooling networks, replacing conventional building-level chillers with a centralised chilled water production model. The system supplies cooling through underground pipes connected across the Marina Bay Sands precinct and…
