Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - SEE 895 G100

Special Topics III (3)

Sustainable High-Performance Buildings

Class Number: 5058

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Corequisites:

    SEE 896 or SEE 897.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Special Topics in Sustainable Energy Engineering.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description: Foundations and advanced topics in sustainable, net-zero, and high-performance building design, including climate load, indoor environmental quality, advanced envelope and fenestration systems, HVAC and control systems, passive strategies, modeling and performance optimization, life-cycle assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and integration of renewables and smart systems. These concepts are applied to a case study building through a term project, research paper, and homework exercises.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Intended Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain principles of sustainability, net‑zero energy/carbon, and major building certification systems.
  2. Design and assess high-performance envelopes and fenestration, including thermal bridges, thermal mass, and moisture effects.
  3. Apply passive design strategies (solar and natural ventilation) in building design.
  4. Conduct performance analysis and optimization of buildings for energy efficiency, thermal comfort, impact on the environment, and cost.
  5. Evaluate emerging building technologies, including building-integrated renewable energy, smart controls, high-performance materials, systems, and designs
  6. Communicate research findings, design decisions, and performance outcomes through a professional report and presentation.

Grading

  • Assignments 25%
  • Review Paper on selected emerging building technology 25%
  • Term Project 50%

NOTES:

Details on Assessments:

  • Assignments – 25%
    • Assignment 1: Building envelope hygrothermal and thermal bridge analysis (10%)
    • Assignment 2: Whole-building energy modeling of a prescribed building and analysis of design variables' impacts on performance (15%)
  • Review of selected emerging building technology — 25%
    • Review paper  (15%)
    • Presentation in-class to peers (10%)
  • Term Project: Sustainable high-performance building design — 50%
    • Final report 35%,
    • Presentation 15%

REQUIREMENTS:

Non-SEE students can submit a course add/drop form to be enrolled in SEE 895.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Recommended References:

  • A Handbook of Sustainable Building Design and Engineering: an integrated approach to energy, health, and operational performance, edited by Dejan Mumovic and Mat Santamouris, 2009, Earthscan.
  • Fundamentals of Building Performance Simulations, Ian Beausoleil-Morrison, Fundamentals of Building Performance, 2021, Routledge
  • Relevant codes/standards: BC Energy Step Code, NECB, ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 189.1, ASHRAE 55, ASHRAE 62.

Software/Tools:
  • DesignBuilder: Energy modeling
  • THERM: 2D thermal analysis
  • WUFI: Hygrothermal analysis, 

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.