Course Outline

Course Code Course Title ECTS Credits

ARCH-232 Space & Light 4
Prerequisites Department Semester
ARCH-201 Architecture Spring
Type of Course Field Language of Instruction
Major Requirement Architecture English
Level of Course Lecturer(s) Year of Study
1st cycle Dr Petros Lapithis 2nd
Mode of Delivery Work Placement Corequisites
Face-to-face N/A none

Course Venue Course Day and Time Telephone

Arch 8 Wednesday 12-2pm 22842600
Office Email Student Consultation Hours
Arch. building lapithis.p@unic.ac.cy Mon 12-1:30, Wed 10-12,
Thurs 12-1:30

Course Objectives:

The main objectives of the course are to:

• introduce students to the principles of natural and interaction with visual perception and aesthetics.
• study, analyze and criticize the basic functions of lighting as design element.
• define colour, light sources, measurement and control as they affect the interior and exterior
environment and to use this knowledge creatively in designing projects.
• encourage students to explore how the luminous aspects of space can control subjective mood and
convey symbolic values.
• comprehend the value of light, as an essential element of design. Rethink its role in design
• Use this knowledge creatively in designing projects.
• expose students to design factors affecting indoor comfort and explore concepts, structures and
techniques that lie behind the realization of energy conscious design.

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Learning Outcomes:

After completion of the course students are expected to be able to:

1. know the principles of natural light and its interaction with visual perception and aesthetics.
2. analyze and criticize the basic functions of lighting as design element.
3. explore how the luminous aspects of space can control subjective mood and convey symbolic
values.
4. solve the physical problems and technologies and of the function of buildings so as to provide
them with internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate.
5. create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements

Course Content:

• Sunlight prediction techniques. Daylighting simulation. Redirection of daylight techniques (such as

light shelves, mirror louvers, prismatic glazing, etc).
• Bioclimatic Design: An introduction to the bioclimatic design
• Passive Solar Heating: Domestic and small scale buildings.
• Passive Cooling Design: Prevention of overheating, Passive cooling strategies and techniques.
• Natural ventilation systems – basic design requirements (extract ventilation, whole building
ventilation, purge ventilation, integration with other aspects of building design)
• Control of summer overheating (cooling potential of natural ventilation – calculations, thermal
performance of building fabric, solar control, internal gains, comfort expectations)
• Driving forces for natural ventilation – wind (wind speed and its direction relative to the building,
shape of the building, wind turbulence), combined wind and stack effect (basics)

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods:

Lectures, Studio Presentations, Studio Tutorials, Practical Exercises and Assignments, Projects

Assessment:

Assessment Type Weight (Percentage)

Research assignment 1 10%

Research assignment 2 10%

Project Assignment- Midterm 20%

Project Assignment- Final 50%

Attendance and Participation 10%

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Attendance:

• Attendance is mandatory. Absences will generally affect your grade, as the course requires continuous
commitment and production of work
• Absences in excess of 20% will result in either failure or administrative withdrawal and a grade of "F"
or "W" respectively will be given.
• Being late to class may be recorded as absence.
• Failing to attend the final examination without a valid and timely excuse will also result in failure of the
course.
• Any students wishing to withdraw from the class must do so two weeks before the commencement of
the final examinations. Failure to do this will earn the student a grade “F”.

Course Requirements:

LATE SUBMISSION

All assignment must be submitted on the date and time requested. All assignments are assessed on
submission. Coursework or projects must always be handed in on time, even if you are less than
satisfied with your work. Late work will be penalized with a deduction of points from your total grade.

FINAL EXAM

All students must be present at all examinations. No make-up tests/exams will be given unless there is a
serious reason. In case of serious illness or other mitigating factors, documented evidence is required.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism in all assessment work is a serious offense which leads to severe punishment. All reference
material must be properly cited, including quotes, ideas, projects theories, images, case studies etc.
Plagiarism includes:

* Using ideas or images taken from someone else without reference to the author or designer

* Cutting and pasting from the Internet (or other sources)

* Quoting without acknowledging the source;

* Paraphrasing another person's work, without acknowledging the source

* Getting somebody else to do your work for you, or submitting someone else’s work as your own

* If in doubt, please seek advice from your tutor regarding citation of references.

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LATE ARRIVAL TO CLASS

Being late to class may be recorded as absence. Students that fail to come on time will have a reduction
on their grade depending on the frequency of absences and reason of delay.

LIBRARY FACILITIES

The Architecture Programme requires continual investigation and enquiry. The use of the library
facilities is a very important part of this. Students are required to use readings, books or periodicals
weekly for references and case studies in both studio and theory classes. Students are expected to use
the library facilities and the online database for all coursework and research assignments.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

The lecture course is assessed by the submission of coursework (assignments) and a final exam.
The coursework will test ‘analytic capability’ through set case studies and a final project. It therefore
requires students to demonstrate an understanding of built projects in relation to the performance
criteria applied to space and light.

ASSIGNMENTS

The case study assignment will count as a midterm exam and will have to be submitted in Week 8. The
final assignment will be submitted during the exam period. Detailed handouts for all assignments will be
introduced to the students in week 1.

PARTICIPATION

Students are expected to actively participate in the course. The teaching method in this course consists
of lectures, case study analysis, exercises and individual instruction. Group discussions will also be taking
place concerning interchange of ideas on given issues. This is primarily a lecture course, however it is
necessary for students to spend considerable time outside class hours to develop knowledge and skills
through the given assignments and readings, but also through individually conducted work in the library,
and the built environment. The independent student work should be documented in a separate
sketchbook reserved only for the subject matter of this course. A final exam will be given in order to
review the readings of the course.

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Grading Scale:

Numerical Grades 0- Grade Points 0-

Letter Grade Meaning
100 4
A Excellent 93-100 4.0
A- 90-92 3.7
B+ Very Good 87-89 3.3
B 83-86 3.0
B- 80-82 2.7
C+ Good 77-79 2.3
C 73-76 2.0
C- 70-72 1.7
D+ Poor but Acceptable 67-69 1.3
D 63-66 1.0
D- 60-62 0.7
F Failure 0-59 0.0

Required Textbooks / Readings:

Title Author(s) Publisher Year ISBN

Bioclimatic Architecture Lapithis Petros PCA press, Nicosia 2018 978-9963-9789-8-

in Cyprus 4
Free Download high Resolution print:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JR-hL_D1ecHbD5QVCp2ns3nQ_QDBfoHw/view?usp=sharing

Recommended Textbooks / Readings:

Title Author(s) Publisher Year ISBN

Designing with light: the King, C. Rizzoli, New York 1997 0866365826
creative touch

The Architecture of Russell, S Conceptnine 2008 0980061709

Light

Stillness and Light : The Plummer, H. Bloomington, IN 2009 9780253353627

Silent Eloquence of Indiana University
Shaker Architecture., Press.

Weekly Schedule:
see course assignments

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