Transdisciplinary learning exercise on post occupancy evaluation and retrofitting of built spaces

The need to develop sustainable strategies and solutions to design and retrofit buildings to be comfortable living environments that reduce energy and resource consumption is crucial in achieving the sustainable development goals put forth by the United Nations. This is the motivation for professionals to develop alternative approaches for problem-solving. The traditional linear model of course delivery in professional colleges helps in understanding the theoretical concepts and meeting the proposed educational objectives but underperforms in developing competent individuals who can collaborate and develop innovative solutions. Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary education models are gaining importance worldwide in this regard. Transforming the mode of teaching from dominant teacher centric lecture rooms to action centric realm beyond classrooms in a real physical setting will promote greater understanding and curiosity among students. This paper presents the detailed step to step process in a transdisciplinary exercise undertaken by undergraduate students of Architecture and Mechanical Engineering who have completed their respective courses on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and the learning outcome and the change in perception the learner group undergoes. The students work together as a team to perform a post-occupancy evaluation of the existing building stock of the campus and develop design solutions, both passive and active, to improve the existing condition of the campus consuming less energy and resources. Such transdisciplinary exercises helps prepare the students to solve real-life problems and do self-assessment and peer assessment of the theory and concept already studied, thus improving the perception of the students and the quality of the teaching–learning process. The project attempts to empower the students to be a part of sustainable initiatives in their surroundings, and the expertise developed through the project can be used in designing or retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emission and reduce the payback period.