Environmental Performance Simulation

This course challenges students to rethink how buildings perform — not just consume energy, but harness it. Students explore the physics behind daylight, thermal behavior, ventilation, and energy use, using advanced simulation tools like Rhino, Grasshopper, and Climate Studio. Through data-driven design, they learn to create environments that respond to climate, enhance human comfort, and minimize reliance on mechanical systems.Combining building science with computational design, the course equips students with workflows that inform better architecture — resilient, sustainable, and beautifully integrated with the forces of nature.

48-733
Instructor: Azadeh Sawyer
Architecture as System

Architecture as System

This course challenges students to rethink how buildings perform — not just consume energy, but harness it. Students explore the physics behind daylight, thermal behavior, ventilation, and energy use, using advanced simulation tools like Rhino, Grasshopper, and Climate Studio. Through data-driven design, they learn to create environments that respond to climate, enhance human comfort, and minimize reliance on mechanical systems.Combining building science with computational design, the course equips students with workflows that inform better architecture — resilient, sustainable, and beautifully integrated with the forces of nature.