Green Building and Sustainable Design

Urban Planning and Development October 25, 2025
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Introduction

This course explores the principles and practical application of green building, a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and operation that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes resource efficiency. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of sustainable materials, energy and water conservation techniques, indoor environmental quality, and life cycle assessment. The curriculum covers major green building rating systems like LEED and focuses on creating healthy, high-performance buildings. It is an essential course for professionals committed to shifting the built environment toward a truly sustainable future.

Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainable design principles and green building practices. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

Target Audience

  • Architects and Building Designers
  • Civil and Mechanical Engineers
  • Construction Managers and Contractors
  • Facility and Property Managers
  • Real Estate Developers and Investors
  • Sustainability Consultants and Energy Auditors
  • Students in Architecture or Engineering programs

Methodology

  • Case Studies of certified green buildings and their performance data
  • Group Activities: Applying a LEED checklist and scoring a design concept
  • Energy Modeling and Simulation software demonstrations
  • Individual Exercises: Conducting a life cycle analysis (LCA) comparison of building materials
  • Discussions on the return on investment (ROI) of green building features
  • Site visits (virtual or physical) to a high-performance building project

Personal Impact

  • Gain technical proficiency in sustainable building design and construction practices
  • Master the criteria and documentation for leading green building certifications (e.g., LEED)
  • Enhance understanding of energy modeling and building performance analysis
  • Improve ability to select healthy, low-impact materials and products
  • Develop skills for integrated project team collaboration and delivery
  • Position oneself as a leader in the sustainable design and construction industry

Organizational Impact

  • Reduce long-term operating costs through dramatic energy and water savings
  • Improve employee/tenant productivity, health, and retention through better IEQ
  • Enhance brand reputation and marketability with high-performance green buildings
  • Mitigate regulatory risk through proactive adoption of advanced building standards
  • Increase the value and resilience of real estate assets
  • Accelerate the organization's transition to sustainable material sourcing

Course Outline

Unit 1: Foundations of Sustainable Design

Principles and Context
  • Defining sustainable design and its integration with the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
  • Understanding the environmental impact of the built environment (materials, energy, waste)
  • The concept of Whole Building Design and integrated project delivery (IPD)
  • The role of Passive Design strategies and bioclimatic architecture
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for materials and building systems
Rating Systems and Standards
  • In-depth study of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) system
  • Overview of other major standards (e.g., WELL Building Standard, Passive House, Green Globes)
  • The regulatory environment: green building codes and municipal incentives
  • The certification process and required documentation

Unit 2: Energy Efficiency and Performance

Building Systems Optimization
  • Strategies for reducing energy demand through building envelope design
  • Advanced HVAC systems: efficiency, sizing, and heat recovery
  • Lighting design: daylighting, sensors, and high-efficiency fixtures
  • Commissioning, retro-commissioning, and ongoing building performance monitoring
Renewable Energy Integration
  • Siting and design for Photovoltaic (PV) solar and other on-site generation
  • Geothermal, solar thermal, and other renewable heating and cooling systems
  • The concept of Net-Zero and Positive-Energy Buildings
  • Energy modeling and simulation tools for design optimization

Unit 3: Sustainable Materials and Resources

Materials Selection
  • Criteria for evaluating materials: embodied energy, toxicity, recycled content, local sourcing
  • Understanding material declarations (EPDs, HPDs) and their use
  • Strategies for construction waste management and material reuse
  • The use of mass timber, bio-based, and innovative low-carbon materials
Water Conservation
  • Strategies for potable water reduction in building systems and fixtures
  • Greywater and rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable uses
  • Sustainable site water management and Low Impact Development (LID) features
  • Designing for efficient landscape irrigation and drought-tolerant planting

Unit 4: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Health and Wellness
  • The relationship between building design and occupant health and productivity
  • Strategies for maximizing daylight and quality views
  • Acoustic design for occupant comfort and noise reduction
  • Ergonomic considerations in sustainable interior design
Air Quality and Materials
  • Controlling sources of indoor air contaminants (VOCs, formaldehyde)
  • Design for effective ventilation and air filtration systems
  • Selecting low-emitting materials (paints, adhesives, furnishings)
  • Thermal comfort: managing temperature, humidity, and air movement

Unit 5: Implementation and Project Management

Integrated Delivery
  • Structuring the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) team and process
  • Costing and financing green building projects and overcoming first-cost barriers
  • The importance of the building performance gap and commissioning
  • Developing effective green building specifications and contract language

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