48-116 Introduction to Building Performance
3 units, Carnegie Mellon University
This course will introduce fundamental concepts of building physics. The knowledge and skills obtained from this course can be applied to studio projects and beyond, improving building design and performance through standard methods of evaluation and simulation tools. Couse curriculum running concurrent with studio projects will aid students in further developing and guiding design decisions to incorporate fundamental concepts related to climate, energy, light, relationship to site, and occupant visual and thermal comfort. Students will develop a general understanding of, site analysis, building placement & form as it relates to building performance, photometric principles to evaluate lighting conditions, thermodynamic principles, and heat transfer, building energy, renewable and embodied energy. Skills, tools, and knowledge base learned in this course with enable designers and architects to employ sustainable practices at all phases of design, leading to better performing buildings.
Prerequisites: 48-120 and 48-125 and 48-126
Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025
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