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Sustainable Building: Design and Specification

Parsons School of Design, The New School

Sustainable Building: Design and Specification

This course is part of Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

Instructors: Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

3,225 already enrolled

Included with

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

22 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

22 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Shift from traditional design to a healthier materials design approach
Evaluate tools and resources for protecting human health
Apply strategies for choosing healthier materials

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

3 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

This course is an examination of the role designers play in protecting health through specification of materials and choices made in the building design phase. You learn about strategies and principles employed in the execution of healthier design projects. Finally, you look at how the use of healthier materials can lead to a healthier world. Participants in the course should have leadership-level career experience in design, architecture, contracting, or a similar field.

Module details

Welcome to the Path to Becoming a Material Influencer. In this module, we'll learn how to design with a healthier world in mind. We will explore strategies and principles of healthier material projects. By the end of this module, you will gain material health inspiration and understand that there's no one-stop-shop for material health. Let's get started!

What's included

11 videos6 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

11 videosTotal 53 minutes

Introduction to Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building3 minutes
Introduction to Sustainable Building: Design and Specification2 minutes
Introduction to The Path to Becoming a Material Influencer2 minutes
Designing with Material Health in Mind6 minutes
Materials Considerations and Priorities8 minutes
Engaging Communities and Social Justice: Q&A with Anasa Scott-Laude, LEED AP BDC7 minutes
Design Principles and Defining Goals5 minutes
Operational Considerations of What We Specify5 minutes
There Is No One-Stop Shop for Healthier Materials8 minutes
Inspiring Clients (to Achieve Healthier Projects)5 minutes
The Path to Becoming a Material Influencer Conclusion2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 120 minutes

Welcome and Course Methods10 minutes
Course Presenter Profiles5 minutes
Key Terminologies and Concepts15 minutes
Protocols and Global Material Health30 minutes
Exploring Parsons Healthy Materials Lab's Method Cards30 minutes
Rising Demand for Healthier Buildings30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

The Path to Becoming a Material Influencer: Summative Assessment30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Introductions10 minutes
Global Health Considerations for Designers10 minutes
Establishing Project Considerations: Goals, Material Objectives, and Buy-in10 minutes
How to Overcome Challenges and Pursue Healthier Project Design10 minutes

Welcome to Establishing the Material Evaluation Process. In this module, we'll learn how to review disclosures and make healthier material decisions based on performance, quality, and affordability. We will think about where to start when compiling material options and how to reach out to manufacturers. By the end of this module, you will know how to utilize research and approaches for reviewing product health. Let's get started!

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 48 minutes

Introduction to Establishing the Material Evaluation Process2 minutes
Transparency and Disclosure Criteria9 minutes
Performance, Quality, and Affordability7 minutes
Where to Start4 minutes
Review and Outreach to Manufacturers7 minutes
Approaches to Reviewing Product Health: Levels of Confidence9 minutes
Utilizing Chemicals of Concern Research to Practice Healthier Design Approaches7 minutes
Establishing the Material Evaluation Process Conclusion2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 90 minutes

The Construction Material Pyramid and Sourcing Healthier Furnishings30 minutes
Understanding Your Options: Using the Red List and HPDs30 minutes
Global Resources and Approaches30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Establishing the Material Evaluation Process: Summative Assessment30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Utilizing Tools and Resources for Sourcing Healthier Materials10 minutes
Applying Healthier Material Protocols10 minutes
Understanding and Applying Material Research10 minutes

Welcome to Beyond Design Aesthetics: Healthier Materials for a Healthier World. In this module, we'll learn how to compare options and make decisions for a healthier design approach. We will examine healthier alternatives that provide inspiration for the future. By the end of this module, you will know that no product is perfect, but that progress comes as designers overcome obstacles and transform the marketplace. Let's get started!

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment1 peer review3 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 44 minutes

Introduction to Beyond Design Aesthetics: Healthier Materials for a Healthier World2 minutes
Translating Transparency Documents Into Actions6 minutes
Hidden Hazards: What's not on the Label5 minutes
Biodesign: Exploring Healthier Alternatives9 minutes
Circularity and Embodied Carbon6 minutes
No Perfect Products: Progress Despite Constraints8 minutes
Transforming the Market5 minutes
Beyond Design Aesthetics: Healthier Materials for a Healthier World Conclusion2 minutes
Sustainable Building: Design and Specification Conclusion2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Spec Guidance for Healthier Model Making Materials30 minutes
Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Circular Economy30 minutes
A Visionary's Guide to the Future30 minutes
Level up!10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Beyond Design Aesthetics: Healthier Materials for a Healthier World: Summative Assessment30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Vision for a Healthier Materials Project120 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Making a Decision for Healthier Materials10 minutes
Wipe Out Waste as Designers10 minutes
How to Educate Yourself and Others10 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(6 ratings)

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

Parsons School of Design, The New School

4 Courses7,068 learners

Offered by

Parsons School of Design, The New School

Learner reviews

5 stars
90.90%
4 stars
4.54%
3 stars
4.54%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

Showing 3 of 22

Reviewed on Dec 10, 2023

A GOOD COURSE, INCREASE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ATTEND THIS COURSE

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2026

This course really opened my eyes to how materials affect our health and environment. It made me more aware and confident in asking better questions and making better choices.

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2023

This course offers valuable health-related material and guides you in making the right decisions when presented with multiple choices.

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