Two AUA Faculty Members Write a Textbook on Green Architecture

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YEREVAN, Armenia – Two American University of Armenia (AUA) faculty members, Alen Amirkhanian and Artak Hambarian, authored a textbook on environmentally sustainable building and city designs, with a special focus on integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

The Armenian-English bilingual textbook titled, “Green Architecture: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,” was commissioned and published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for use in Armenian universities, particularly the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia. It will also be used at the American University of Armenia with the possibility of integrating it into the curriculum of other universities in the country.

The lead author of the textbook is Alen Amirkhanian, director of the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment. Contributing authors include Tigran Sekoyan (UNDP), Ruben Hambartsumyan (National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia), and Artak Hambarian (AUA College of Science and Engineering). 

The introductory textbook is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of architecture, construction, and engineering. The textbook consists of 10 chapters on the following topics:

1. Sources and Uses of Energy in the Built Environment
2. The Built Environment and Its Impact on the Natural Environment: Global Overview
3. Design, Policy, and Regulatory Solutions for Energy
4. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Passive Solutions
5. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Building Envelope
6. Building Integrated Renewable Energy
7. Energy Storage for Energy Savings and Renewable Integration
8. Integrated Building Design Approach
9. Building Energy Audit and Certification
10. Basics of Financial Analysis for Architects, Urban Planners, and Engineers

The textbook was commissioned as part of the UNDP-GEF project, “Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings.” UNDP is distributing the print version of the book to libraries across Armenia. The electronic version of the book will be available at www.nature-ic.am and ace.aua.am.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Front and back cover of textbook. Designed by Narek Torosian.