Physics is just an underlying concept for everything around us

This course aims to make daunting concepts more palatable, and empower those working in the built environment, breaking down the barriers created by a lack of knowledge and confidence about building physics.

Watch this course overview to find out more!

KEY INFORMATION

Duration
  • A 10 hour course - 2 hours per week over 5 weeks
  • Extended discussion can be had following on from the 2 hours of live interactive learning if interested (not required but for any burning desires to ask additional questions and informal unrecorded relaxed discussion)
Upcoming Course Dates
  • The course sessions will run on Mondays, with a choice of either mornings (10:00-12:00) or afternoons (14:30-16:30)
  • After a successful launch this summer we are glad to confirm that the course will run again in 2024, on the following dates:
    • From Monday 26th February, on each Monday to the 25th March 2024
    • From Monday 15th April, on each Monday to the 20th May 2024 (with a break over the week beginning 6th May for the bank holiday)
    • From Monday 3rd June, on each Monday to the 1st July 2024
Course Approach
  • This course is an introduction to basic building physics. There are no entry requirements, but please come along ready to have some fun and use your imagination to explore - What is building physics and why is it important?
  • Live, online, interactive teaching, with lots of opportunity to be curious.
  • Join in with an open mind for the opportunity to question and discuss with your tutor and peers.
  • Your questions can help tailor your learning to your needs and to dig deeper to the level of understanding that you are seeking. In this course we can start from scratch and then build from there (aided by the types of questions asked); so that you can think from first principles, build from fundamentals upwards, to gain a deeper understanding, think critically and ask harder questions (of yourself and others) and resolve them logically.
  • We feel there is a lot of valuable learning to be gained from taking part in the live teaching, having your camera on and giving the activities a go!
  • Attending live sessions is important for this course, to gain the full immersive experience with activities and Q&A opportunities. If it should happen that a student has to miss a Module, they can discuss this with us and we can try to arrange for them to join the equivalent Module from one of the following courses, or they can simply watch the recording of the session.
  • There are 20 places available each time the course runs, with up to 5 of those places available at the student price. Due to its interactive nature, the course requires a minimum of 5 students in order to run.
Why take this course?
  • The aim is for you to have some fun, learn without any pressure, and come away with greater confidence and understanding of building physics fundamentals.
  • This course introduces building physics concepts in a way that makes them easier grasp and relate to.
  • Find out what you can and ought to ask architects/engineers/consultants – find the right questions to get the right answers, in order to give your home or your building the right treatment.
  • We feel that it's important for everyone to have a basic understanding of, and appreciation for, their built environment.
  • This course could help you find the confidence and motivation to potentially take on new challenges and upskill further. With this background understanding, use this course as a steppingstone to more in depth building physics and retrofit courses.
Price
  • AECB Members £195 +VAT,  Non-members £245 +VAT,  Full-time Students £50 +VAT (must be able to evidence student status)

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

"A well structured course that simplifies Building Physics concepts and helps us utilize them better in the field"

      Feedback from Hannah.K, Architect (graduate of the Understanding Building Physics course)

"A fantastic introduction to the physics connecting buildings, people and our environment - a real eye opener!"

      Feedback from a graduate of the Understanding Building Physics course

THE COURSE WRITER & TUTOR

Gloria Lo

Gloria is an architect with over 20 years' experience in Conservation and Sustainable design, in line with her passion to be a good temporary custodian of both the built heritage and the planet. She is qualified with Certified Passive House Designer, BREEAM Accredited Professional and Domestic Refurbishment amongst other certifications. Currently undertaking research in hygroscopic materials and its effect on indoor humidity, with MA and CE Engineering Departments of Strathclyde University, part funded by Historic Environment Scotland and Engineering the Future Scholarship from Strathclyde University.

Gloria has, since her childhood, a desire for understanding the world that surrounds her, to find out about the living environment through physics, geography, and architecture. She is keenly interested in the education of the younger generation of architects and others, especially in climate literacy, technical skills in building physics and material specification - toxicity, embodied carbon, circular economy, hygrothermal performance, biodiversity etc – by being a tutor, visiting critic and lecturer for universities and other organisations in the UK. Mainly, as a tutor for Master of Architecture Course at the University of Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Gloria is currently a director of Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) and chairs SEDA Solar, organising events and was part of the judging panel for the Kerr MacGregor Award for Solar Innovation in previous years. She volunteers with Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) as coordinator and heavily involved with their thematic groups and events. She helps with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Education Committee and is an Examiner for The Architects Professional Examination Authority in Scotland (APEAS).