RIAI CPD Links: DIT Postgraduate Certificate in Building Performance (Energy Efficiency in Design) - Application Deadline 10 July

Application Deadline: 10 July 2020

Funding

The Dublin School of Architecture TU412 Postgraduate Certificate in Building Performance (Energy Efficiency in Design) has been approved for Springboard+ funding in 2020-21. This provides a 90% discount on the normal €2,500 programme fee for eligible applicants. To make an application and to find out more about the Postgraduate Certificate please visit the course page on the Springboard+ website.

There are only 40 places available so interested parties should apply before the first round closes at 5pm on 10 July. Where there are more than 40 eligible applicants, the Programme Team will use a ranking system to support fair selection. Points will be awarded for qualifications from ordinary degree (Level 7) to masters (Level 9) and for years of relevant professional experience. Where acceptances drop below 40 a second round will commence: this will be announced in the news section of this website and through Twitter: @DSA_TUDublin

Standard

In 2019 the super-low energy 'Nearly Zero Energy Building' standard (nZEB) came into force in Ireland through its transposition in Part-L of the Building Regulations for building other than dwellings, for dwellings, and for 'deep renovation' of dwellings. The jump in standard was particurly significant for building other than dwellings and deep ronovations. The design implications for such changes go far beyond simple increases in individual specifications: they require greater knowledge, new skills in using evaluative tools and an earlier and more integrated and collaborative technical design engagement. Ensuring the theoretical performance is delivered in the completed building is increasingly central to the process, while changes to building control in Ireland bring additional weight to certification of compliance.

Upskilling

The NZEB Standard requires industry upskilling on an unprecedented scale across the EU. Based on our experience developing upskilling programmes over the past eight years, it is clear to the building performance team in the Dublin School of Architecture that the extent of the knowledge gap within the disciplines of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector is unappreciated. Recognising the scale of the challenge we developed new skills and teaching methods to facilitate upskilling by busy architects, architectural technologists, engineers and building surveyors. The suite of programmes commenced in September 2017. It has a mature blended online delivery and a nationally-regarded lecturing team. 

The Postgraduate Certificate in Building Performance (Energy Efficiency in Design) programme is a 1-year part-time programme, delivered over two semesters, which has been designed to enable building design professionals to develop knowledge and skills to support high quality, compliant energy efficiency design of new and renovation building projects. Through the use of a range of conceptual analysis tools, centred on energy and thermal performance calculation methodologies, computer modelling and analysis skills culminating in project assignments, the student has the ability to upskill and refocus their approach to building design and specification.

In Semester 1 the modules are: 'NZEB Policy & Technologies' and 'Building Energy Modelling Using DEAP' or 'Building Energy Modelling Using PHPP'. In Semester 2 the modules are: 'Hygrothermal Risk Assessment for Building Performance' and 'Thermal Bridge Calculation for Building Performance' and 'Building Performance NZEB Design Project: Residential'. 

Delivery

The Postgraduate Certificate in Building Performance (Energy Efficiency in Design) programme is a 1-year part-time programme, delivered over two semesters, which has been designed to enable building design professionals to develop skills in energy efficiency design as the basis for new and renovation building projects. Each semester comprises 300 learning hours, which equates to a commitment of 20 hours in most weeks of each module. The delivery suits those upskilling, re-skilling & returning to work. Please note: in academic year 2020-21 the Programme will be delivered entirely online. 

Within four Taught Modules the student gains skills and knowledge in the use of a range of conceptual analysis tools, centred on energy and thermal performance calculation methodologies, computer modelling and analysis skills culminating in project assignments. The academic year culminates in a large Project Module through which the student can integrate their discipline knowledge, industry experience, and learning from the previous four modules in a single complex residential design project.

There are a range of ways in which we take account of the busy lives of the students. The only fixed dates are webinars on the first four Tuesdays at 8pm, an online exam at 8pm on the second and fourth Thursday, a workshop event at end of the fifth week and, of course, the final project submission. Flexibility is provided via (a) the online resources; (b) videoed lectures that can be repeatedly watched (slowed down or sped up); (c) the recording of webinars to allow later watching; (d) the provision of repeat online exams for those who couldn't attend, or didn't pass, the first exams within the same semester; and the supplemental exams and project submissions in the Autumn.

For further information please contact Joseph Little.