ARCH 4100 Capstone Building Science

Year
Year 4
Semester
First Semester
Credit
3
Program Description

A comprehensive project applying building science principles to a real-world case study.

About the course

ARCH 4100 Capstone Building Science brings together the technical skills and theoretical knowledge you have built throughout the Bachelor of Applied Technology — Building Science program. You will work on a real-world case study, diagnosing a building's performance and proposing evidence-based solutions. This course focuses on the intersection of building physics, energy modelling, and practical application.

You will conduct a thorough analysis of an existing structure, identifying issues related to thermal bridging, moisture management, and energy efficiency. Your final deliverable is a professional-grade retrofit plan that addresses these challenges while respecting the building's original context. You will also present your findings to a panel, simulating a professional client meeting.

Who takes this course

This course is a required component for students in the Bachelor of Applied Technology — Building Science program.

Credits: 3 · Hours: 45

Prerequisites

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate existing building systems for performance gaps and operational inefficiencies.
  • Develop a comprehensive retrofit plan that meets current energy and sustainability standards.
  • Integrate structural, envelope, and mechanical data into a single diagnostic report.
  • Present technical findings and cost-benefit analyses to a simulated client panel.

Evaluation

Component Weight (%)
Diagnostic report 30
Retrofit design proposal 40
Final presentation 30