Course Information
Unit Descriptions
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Sustainable Building and Design
- The case and rationale for green building
- A view of the current state of green building in this region and across the nation
- The fundamental principles of sustainable design
- An introduction to the practicum project
Unit 2: The Importance of Place: Site, Transportation and Land Use Issues
- An introduction to sustainable site design
- An understanding of the site planning process
- Sustainable site analysis and conduct a site assessment
- Importance of transportation planning, siting, relationship to sustainability
- Strategies to achieve sustainable transportation patterns and site development
Unit 3: Energy Efficient Design
- How the design of building energy systems affects the human experience and the global environment
- The value of contextual, holistic approach to building energy system design
- How a building dynamically interacts with its occupants and the local climate, including renewable energy
- Fundamental building energy systems, including HVAC and lighting
Unit 4: "Green" Materials Selection
- Factors in material selection and the issue of trade-offs
- Resources to assist in determining materials appropriateness
- Analytical process to evaluate materials for a project
- Material considerations when using the LEED™ rating program
- Material considerations when designing a green home
Unit 5: Indoor Environmental Quality & Health
- Benefits of improving indoor environmental quality
- Common indoor air pollutants
- Barriers and solutions to achieving good indoor air
- Innovative ventilation system design strategies
- Linkages between health, well-being and productivity
- Physical, psychological and financial benefits of daylight and view
Unit 6: Water and Site Design
- Benefits of adopting a natural systems-based approach
- Sustainable site development patterns
- Impact reduction through landscape layout, plant selection and placement
- Outdoor water conservation strategies and practices
- On-site management methods for storm water and wastewater
- Indoor water conservation
Unit 7: Sustainable Job Site Operations
- Construction waste management, site protection and IAQ protection
- Incorporating green building materials
- Opportunities for deconstruction and reuse
- Planning and practices for sustainable construction
Unit 8: Building Operations and Maintenance
- Facility management (FM) functions, duties of FM department, FM professionals, and FM position in sustainability
- Building Commission (Cx), what it is, how it is accomplished, and its critical importance to the performance of a building
- Effective operations and maintenance
- Effective training programs within a building
Unit 9: Presentation of Team Projects
Course Components
Expert Instructors
Industry experts present the proven and latest in sustainable design, construction and operation techniques with an emphasis on both practical applications as well as underlying theories. Presentations focus on the advancements of the green building industry, sustainable development and planning in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Interactive Format
Interactive class discussion and rigorous inquiry is integrated throughout the course. Participation is encouraged to enhance a cooperative, stimulating learning experience.
Hands-on Exercises
Each unit includes an in-depth small group project that reinforces technical concepts as well as develop competencies in applying LEED™ and other sustainable criteria.
Field Trips
Site visits to exemplary projects provide opportunities to test conceptual understanding with the real thing.
Cross-Sector Applicability
Course content (including case studies and project-based exercises) address various types of construction (commercial, residential, renovation, and new) and development (greenfield, redevelopment).
