Copenhagen School of Design and Technology

da

Complexity of high-rise construction (DA)

2024/2025
Danish title
Kompleksitet ved højhusbyggeri/Klimaskærmen
Study programme
Architectural Technology and Construction Management
Type of education
Full time education
Level of education
Bachelor Programme
Semester
4. semester
Duration of the subject/module
1 semester
Ects
15
Programme elements
Compulsory
Language
Danish and English
Start time
Autumn
Spring
Location
Milnersvej 48, Hillerød
Prinsesse Charlottes Gade 38, København N
Subject number
4070442
Responsible for the subject(s)/modul(es)
Anne Helene Hornhaver
Peter Bast Kristensen
Martin Carlsen Dam
  • Purpose and learning objectives

    The local subject element in the 4th semester focuses on larger buildings over 1000 m2. The emphasis is on analyzing, designing, and executing office buildings or larger public buildings designed for many people.
    Buildings with features such as suspended glass facades, flat roofs, and large open office landscapes present many building physics and construction challenges. The subject element is placed in the 4th semester immediately following the compulsory course, concluding with an exam shared with the compulsory course and with an overall assessment.

    The subject element comprises 15 ECTS and includes the following subject areas:
    - Production (5 ECTS)
    - Design (10 ECTS

    Knowledge

    In relation to the local subject element, the student should:

    1. Be able to understand and reflect on the complexity of designing the climate screen including function, structure, building physics, production, operation, and demolition.

    2. Understand the complexity of structural design of the building system, including understanding of static principles and connections in the climate screen, including facade and balcony suspension.

    3. Understand and reflect on challenges related to indoor climate, such as sound, light, overheating, and ventilation.

    4. Have basic knowledge and understanding of geotechnics and soil investigations.

    5. Knowledge of relevant social, environmental, economic, and technological aspects in the design and production process, including optimization of material consumption and design for disassembly.

    6. Understand and reflect on planning and operation of the construction site during design and execution.

    Skills

    In relation to the local subject element, the student should be able to:
    1. Document climate adaptation regarding wind, water, and temperature, e.g., explain access
    conditions, LUR and/or LAR.

    2. Document and illustrate building physics and construction solutions as well as details of the climate screen.

    3. Argue for and document indoor climate solutions, e.g., using light and energy calculations.

    4. Document and explain solutions related to operation and recycling based on determination of the building's climate load and choice of optimal materials, structures, and installations.

    5. Document risk management specific to the climate screen, including design and occupational safety.

    6. Document location-based principles for execution schedule.

    7. Facilitate digital information flow in the construction phases and between construction actors.

    Competences

    The student should have the competence to:
    1. Prepare relevant sections in construction documentation, as well as selected drawing material in the fire strategy report.

    2. Handle and design complex facade constructions, including building technical issues related to facade closure.

    3. Handle digital building information models and transfer and extract data between different digital platforms and information systems.

    4. Calculate and assess the building's energy balance and energy framework.

    5. Prepare construction site plans and undertake contracting.

  • Type of instruction
    Teaching is based on the understanding that learning occurs best when students have the
    opportunity to work with real-life cases sourced from or inspired by companies within relevant industries.

    When choosing a project, consideration is given to ensure that the project can accommodate the semester's academic challenges.

    Students have the opportunity to work through several phases of the given project, from initial analysis to the concrete realization of the project. In connection with the project work, students are faced with realistic problems that must be solved based on the given theory, and they must organize the work to meet deadlines. Throughout the process, students are also trained to work independently, preparing them to complete their final project as an independent task.

    Through this working method, students gain an understanding of how problems are identified and analyzed, solution models are developed, and the right solution is chosen.
  • Exam

    The learning outcomes of the exam are identical with the learning outcomes of the subject(s)/modul(es)

    Exam in one or more subjects
    Subject/module is tested with the following modules
    Group project with oral presentation
    Type of exam
    Combined written and oral examination
    Individual exam or group exam
    Individual or group, 2-6 participants
    Exam languages
    Danish (Norwegian/Swedish)
    Type of evaluation
    7-point grading scale
    Examiners
    External censure
    Exam criteria
    The grade is based on an overall assessment of both the written and oral work.
205
hours of teaching
206
hours of preparation
The figure shows the extent of workload related to the subject divided into different study activities.

In the subject Complexity of high-rise construction (DA) you will receive 205 hours of instruction, which corresponds to 273 lessons (1 lesson = 45 min.) and 50% of your total workload for the subject.

The teaching primarily consists of the following activities: group work, internal lecturers, project work.
The preparation primarily consists of the following activities: reading the curriculum, group work, project work.

Read about KEAs Study Activity Model

*KEA can deviate from the number of hours if this is justified by special circumstances