Teaching about nearly zero energy buildings in the architecture curriculum in Havana, Cuba

Nearly Zero Energy Buildings paradigm is changing the way buildings are designed worldwide. In order to have professionals more prepared to face this goal a design workshop has been implemented for Architecture students at the Technological University of Havana, Cuba. In this paper the background of the environmental design and teaching of nearly zero energy buildings in the architecture curriculum of Havana is explained. The objective of this paper is describe an academic experience with transdisciplinary and integral program designed in order to optimize building`s energy use. From the program consist of a main subject of architectural design, elective and optional subjects, and professional practice. The main subject consisted of architectural design of buildings in urban and rural contexts. The optional subjects were directed towards renewable sources of energy, participation and social impact and the principles of bioclimatic design in hot-humid contexts. The professional practice was aimed at diagnosing energy consumption of different buildings types in real contexts. Finally, the paper discusses the main results and lessons learned from experiences with this educational program through different study methodologies such as historical analysis of sustainability in architecture studies of Havana in last 40 years, presentation of transformations made to program of subject in last two courses as well as exhibition of some results by student work carried out in different contexts.

ISBN:9781999797195

Jaar van publicatie:2018

Toegankelijkheid:Open