Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Architecture Program in Building Energy and Environment is holistically designed to produce architects and researchers who can create sustainable built environments through a deep understanding of energy efficiency and environmental principles. The program's core mission to integrate advanced technology with sustainable design makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By focusing on building performance simulation, sustainable materials, and advanced environmental technologies, the curriculum directly addresses the need for resource-efficient, resilient, and low-impact buildings. This emphasis also strongly aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). As a graduate-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and fosters the collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
The Master of Architecture Program in Building Energy and Environment was strategically revised in 2023 to respond to Khon Kaen University's mission of achieving leadership in sustainability and driving the national strategy for Net Zero Emissions by 2065.
The curriculum aims to solve the primary challenge of managing buildings in tropical climates for advanced energy efficiency and sustainably increasing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). The operation thus transitioned to the research and innovation-based learning paradigm, which intensively integrated in-depth architectural knowledge with the science of building physics and energy saving. This is done through all relevant subjects, such as building theoretical understanding and application for energy saving in AR 471 601 Principles of Design for Building Energy Performance and AR 471 602 Principles of Design for Indoor Environmental Quality, training analysis and complex environment simulation skills through AR 471 603 Building Energy Performance Analysis and Assessment, and fostering the ability to create new knowledge through the thesis.
The core activity of the curriculum is training students to conduct Action Research projects using Building Energy Modeling (BEM) tools and digital technology to simulate and propose approaches for improving existing buildings in the region into green buildings. The empirical results are the creation of master's graduates who are 'Sustainable Building Experts' and 'Building Energy Leaders' with the potential to propose energy reduction guidelines in target buildings by an average of 20-40%.
The program delivers a strategic impact on a large scale by elevating the standard for construction and building renovation in the Northeast to be resilient and possess eco-economic efficiency. This thus aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), in reducing energy use in buildings and promoting the use of clean energy; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), in creating safe and sustainable urban and building infrastructure; and SDG 13 (Climate Action), in concretely reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector.
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a master's program, this curriculum represents a high level of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert professionals and researchers by providing advanced training in research methodologies and fostering the lifelong learning skills necessary to address complex challenges in sustainable architecture.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838102 | Architectural Research Methodology | Provides the core research skills that define high-quality graduate education, equipping students for high-level employment in research and professional practice (Target 4.3 and 4.4). |
| AR83889X | Thesis/Independent Study | These courses are capstone lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research or in-depth study, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4). |
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyAlignment Summary: The program is a major driver for the transition to sustainable energy in the built environment. It offers deep expertise in building energy assessment, advanced energy technologies, and performance simulation, directly contributing to the research and implementation of energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions in buildings.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838201 | Building Energy and Environmental Assessment | Directly supports improving energy efficiency (Target 7.3) by teaching methods to assess and optimize the energy performance of buildings. |
| AR838202 | Advanced Building Energy and Environmental Technology | Aligns with Target 7.A by focusing on research and access to clean energy technology for the building sector, including renewable energy integration and high-efficiency systems. |
| AR838204 | Advanced Building Performance Simulation | Contributes to energy efficiency (Target 7.3) by providing the skills to model and simulate building energy use, enabling the design of high-performance, low-energy buildings. |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This program is a catalyst for innovation in the construction and design industries. By providing advanced training in sustainable technologies, materials, and digital simulation tools, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the building sector, fostering the development of more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838202 | Advanced Building Energy and Environmental Technology | Supports upgrading the technological capabilities of the construction industry by introducing clean and environmentally sound technologies (Target 9.4). |
| AR838203 | Sustainable Architectural Design | Drives innovation by integrating sustainability principles into the core of architectural design, promoting new solutions for the building industry (Target 9.5). |
| AR838204 | Advanced Building Performance Simulation | Enhances scientific research (Target 9.5) by applying advanced computational tools to design and optimize innovative and high-performance buildings. |
| AR838303 | Sustainable Building Materials | Fosters innovation by focusing on the research and application of environmentally friendly and high-performance construction materials (Target 9.5). |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: This program is fundamentally focused on creating sustainable cities and communities through the design of environmentally responsible buildings. The curriculum provides a deep understanding of sustainable design, energy efficiency, and environmental assessment, equipping graduates with the skills to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and create healthier urban environments.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838201 | Building Energy and Environmental Assessment | Directly supports Target 11.6 by focusing on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities through the assessment and improvement of building performance. |
| AR838202 | Advanced Building Energy and Environmental Technology | Contributes to inclusive and sustainable urbanization (Target 11.3) by providing the technological solutions for high-performance, sustainable buildings. |
| AR838203 | Sustainable Architectural Design | This course is central to SDG 11, teaching the principles and practices of designing sustainable buildings that form the fabric of resilient and inclusive communities. |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The program promotes responsible production patterns in the construction industry. The curriculum's focus on sustainable materials and design encourages the efficient use of resources, the adoption of environmentally sound building practices, and the reduction of construction waste, contributing to a more circular and responsible built environment.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838203 | Sustainable Architectural Design | Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by teaching principles of resource-efficient design. |
| AR838303 | Sustainable Building Materials | Directly contributes to achieving the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by focusing on the selection and application of environmentally friendly materials (Target 12.2). |
SDG 13: Climate ActionAlignment Summary: The program contributes directly to climate action by training experts to design buildings that significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The focus on energy efficiency and sustainable design is a key strategy for mitigating the impact of the building sector on climate change.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838203 | Sustainable Architectural Design | Directly supports climate change mitigation (Target 13.2) by integrating strategies for energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions into national and local building practices. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program's research-intensive nature fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminars and research, students engage with industry, the professional community, and the global academic community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations necessary to achieve sustainable development goals in the built environment.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR838101 | Seminar in Building Energy and Environment 1 | Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing. |
| AR83889X | Thesis/Independent Study | Represents a significant contribution to partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared to solve critical sustainability challenges in the built environment. |