Physics is just an underlying concept for everything around us

This course aims to make daunting concepts more palatable, provide methods of critical thinking that can be applied to design 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!

With input from industry figures about why there is a need for this course.

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)
  • The course will run 4 times this year:
    • The first five week delivery will commence Mon 19th June, with a break the week of the 26th June, and the final module will take place on Mon 24th July, morning or afternoon sessions available.
    • The second five week delivery will commence on Mon 31st July, finishing Mon 28th August, morning or afternoon sessions available.
  • The course will then run again starting from February 2024.
Course Approach
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • There are 20 places available each time the course runs, with up to 5 of those places available at the student price.
  • The resources and outputs from each module's activities will be provided for future reference.
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 engineers/architects/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?

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 judging the Kerr MacGregor Award for Solar Innovation. 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).