Course detail

Basics of Building Physics

FA-ZSF-KEAcad. year: 2025/2026

Thermal engineering in buildings, acoustics, day lighting and insolation.
In the study programmes “Architecture and Urban Design” the course is part of the technical courses.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Petr Suchánek, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Engineering (US)

Offered to foreign students

The home faculty only

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

To be awarded the credit, students submit all assigned works from individual seminars. Students who are awarded credit may take the written exam.
Evaluation is based on the successful passing of the exam. Only the students who have passed the credit may take the exam. The exam is in the form of written test. To pass the exam successfully, students must gain at least 50 % of all points.
Monitoring of compulsory attendance in the seminars and submission of required seminar works, substitutive dates of seminars or lectures are agreed with students in advance. Submitted assignments are regularly consulted and approved by the teacher.
Upon the agreement with the teacher, the absences in the classroom can be compensated via online participation.

Aims

Designing and evaluation of construction elements in terms of thermal, water vapour, acoustic, and light parameters. Designing disposition and volume of a building in order to ensure optimal interior climate, and minimal energy demand in operation.
  • Ability to design an optimal construction and disposition or volume solution of a building in terms of thermal and humidity, acoustic and light processes while respecting the architectural, constructional, and physical requirements.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

MCMULLAN, Randall. Environmental Science in Building. Macmillan, 1992. ISBN: 978-0333576762. (EN)
RYAN, Daniel. Drawing Climate. Visualising Invisible Elements of Architecture. Detail, 2021. ISBN: 978-3035623604. (EN)

Recommended reading

EN ISO 12354-1:2018: Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements - Part 1: Airborne sound insulation between rooms. 2018. (EN)
EN ISO 12354-2:2018: Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements - Part 2: Impact sound insulation between rooms. 2018. (EN)
EN ISO 12354-3:2018: Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements - Part 3: Airborne sound insulation against outdoor sound. 2018. (EN)
EN ISO 12354-4:2018: Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements - Part 4: Transmission of indoor sound to the outside. 2018. (EN)
EN ISO 52003-1:2017: Energy performance of buildings - Indicators, requirements, ratings and certificates. 2017 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NE_A+U Master's

    specialization --- (do 2022) , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (2023) , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme B_A+U Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Petr Suchánek, Ph.D.