Overview of green building practices, energy efficiency, and sustainable material selection.
About this course
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of sustainable design within the architectural and building technology fields. You will explore green building practices, energy efficiency strategies, and the selection of sustainable materials. The course emphasizes practical applications that reduce environmental impact while maintaining building performance and aesthetic quality.
You will learn to evaluate energy consumption in buildings and propose effective passive design strategies. The curriculum also covers lifecycle analysis of building materials, helping you make informed decisions that balance environmental responsibility with project requirements. By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate sustainable design recommendations effectively to clients and project teams.
Who takes this course
ARCH 1590 is an elective course open to students in the Architectural Technology program. It is also available to students in other programs within the School of Construction & the Environment who wish to broaden their knowledge of sustainable building practices.
Credits: 3 · Hours: 45
Prerequisites
None
Learning outcomes
- Identify key principles of green building and sustainability in architectural design.
- Evaluate energy efficiency strategies for residential and commercial buildings.
- Select sustainable materials based on environmental impact and lifecycle analysis.
- Apply passive design strategies to reduce energy consumption in building envelopes.
- Communicate sustainable design recommendations to project stakeholders.
Evaluation
| Component | Weight (%) |
| Mid-term examination | 30 |
| Sustainable material selection report | 25 |
| Energy efficiency case study | 25 |
| Final design proposal | 20 |