HSCI-254: Sustainable Bldg Pract for Env

Environmental designers have increasingly been called upon to work with sustainable building practices by the client, the investor, and the commissioner. As a result, choices in material availability, energy type, water usage, water drainage, and fabrication methods have evolved, and new trends in environmental products and spatial designs have developed. This course will provide a historical overview of sustainable design practices as they relate to vernacular architecture and spatial environments ranging from micro-scaled building forms and interiors to macro-scaled landscapes and exterior building skins. Students will research and analyze the sustainability factor for a number of case studies while building a vocabulary and understanding of trends in sustainable building practices. Students will furthermore evaluate sustainable building practices through a variety of tools, including the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for products and the USGBC LEED accreditation system for buildings and neighborhoods.