Cork Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architectural Technology - Award

(NFQ Level 8)

Summer 2006
Sustainability
(Time: 3 Hours)
Answer four from the six Questions. Examiners: Ms. D. Ryan
Mr. J. Coughlan
Mr. G. McCarthy

Q1. Sustainable development

(a) Define what is meant by sustainable development
(b) When specifying a material component list four criteria that you would consider to
ascertain its suitability in a sustainable building.
(c) You are designing a building on a remote site. What sustainable features would you
incorporate into the design to allow the occupant to be self-sufficient?
(25 Marks)

Q2. Ventilation
(a) Define Ventilation
(b) Define infiltration
(c) List three major air-leakage paths in buildings
(d) What is meant by “stack” ventilation?
(e) Discuss how you can achieve stack ventilation in a building.
(25Marks)

Q3. Solar design.

(a) Explain the difference between passive and active solar design.
(b) Discuss why incorporating an unheated conservatory/sunspace into a building is
considered to be eco-friendly
(c) List three basic passive solar principles.
(25 Marks)
Q4. Thermal Issues.
Explain the following terms
(a) Thermal stability.
(b) Thermal responsiveness.
(c) Thermal comfort.
(d) Thermal conductivity
(e) Third skin (25 Marks)

Q5. Building form.

(a) When locating a building on a site state three considerations you would take into account
in order to maximise energy conservation.
(b) When designing a low-energy building discuss four aspects of the building form that you
consider important.
(25 Marks)

Q6. Condensation.
(a) Define interstitial condensation
(b) Explain how you ensure that interstitial condensation would not occur in the fabric of a
building.
(c) How can relative humidity within a building be controlled?
(d) List three ways of creating a healthy internal environment.
(25 Marks)