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Building Systems II
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:04
Abstract
Building Systems 2 builds on the foundations established in Building Systems 1, extending the focus from ventilation and heating to daylight and cooling strategies for spring and summer. Students explore shading, photovoltaic integration, and energy storage through case studies and iterative design processes.
Objective
This course examines light and cooling as key resources in building design. Students analyze daylight utilization, shading, photovoltaics, and cooling strategies, proposing interventions that enhance comfort and reduce resource demand. Specific Learning Goals: - Explain system interactions at multiple scales. - Evaluate visual comfort and thermal performance impacts. - Select sustainable concepts for lighting and cooling. - Discuss technologies for energy conversion and storage. - Frame problems and estimate performance indicators to explore interventions.
Content
The second part shifts focus to light and cooling strategies for warmer seasons. Students continue with a hands-on, case-study-based approach, integrating daylight and energy concepts into design. Spring: Light as a Resource – Investigate daylight utilization, shading techniques, and photovoltaic integration. Students balance visual comfort with energy generation, exploring how façade design and system integration can enhance sustainability. Summer: Staying Cool – Address overheating risks through passive and active cooling strategies, including seasonal energy storage. Students analyze thermal comfort, energy demand, and propose interventions that minimize cooling loads while maintaining user well-being. The course emphasizes problem framing and iterative design processes, encouraging students to deeply understand user needs and environmental conditions before proposing interventions.
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
- Learning environment
- Integrated Design Atlas
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Building Systems II
No course 18.03.2026 (seminar week).
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3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are open to the students to individual selection.)
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