Acoustics and Lighting Education in Architectural Engineering: Experience of WPI

Abstract

The growing complexity of buildings requires architectural engineering to integrate many different specialized capabilities, among which building physics often plays a primary role. Architectural engineers must understand all building systems and be able to apply physics principles to the building envelope and indoor environment. This paper discusses the content and educational approaches of two new courses, Building and Architectural Acoustics and Building Electrical and Lighting Systems, in the new architectural engineering program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). For both courses, teaching through project-oriented education presents unique challenges. The projects the classes focused on included optimizing the lighting design at the Worcester Art Museum and the acoustic design in WPI classrooms. This hands-on approach, focusing on both actual measurements and simulations, encourages students to develop a professional attitude for applying theoretical principles to the solution of engineering problems and trains them in the use of state-of the-art tools. Finally, the extension of these experiences to other courses is discussed.