Building Design: Material Selection for Healthier Communities

Syllabus

• Week 1

  Strategies and Guiding Principles for Designers

  • Course and Week Introduction

    Welcome to Week 1! It's time to find out what you'll learn about this week. You'll also have the chance to meet your instructors and introduce yourself to your fellow learners.

  • What Does Healthier Materials Design Look Like?

    This week you'll learn about what healthier materials design looks like. You'll think about how to approach healthier materials design and why it's important.

  • Current Challenges and Opportunities in Architecture, Design, and Construction Industries

    This week you'll explore the current challenges and opportunities in architecture, design, and construction industries. You'll think about how to prioritize materials and where there are opportunities in the industry.

  • Designer's Dilemma: No Perfect Products

    Let's discuss the Designer's Dilemma. There are no perfect products in the building industry. Designers always have to make trade offs when determining what materials to use. This activity explains some of those trade offs.

  • Week 1 Wrap-Up

    We've come to the end of Week 1. It's time to reflect on what you've learned and look forward.

• Week 2

  Approaching Healthier Materials Design Within a Community Context

  • Welcome to Week 2

    Welcome to Week 2! Let's get a look at what you'll learn about this week.

  • Fundamental Goals and Principles of the Material Health Process

    Let's look at the fundamental goals and principles of the material health process. We'll learn about materials properties and what principles to consider in materials selection.

  • Designers as Collaborators and Participants in Social Justice

    Designers are collaborators and participants in social justice. This activity explains their role and how they can advocate for change to keep communities healthier.

  • The Role of Occupants

    Let's explore the role of occupants. Once a building is turned over for use, what role do the occupants, building managers, and maintenance staff play in keeping it a healthy space.

  • Week 2 Wrap-Up

    We've come to the end of Week 2! It's time to reflect on what you've learned and look forward.

• Week 3

  Implementing our Vision of a Healthier Built Environment

  • Welcome to Week 3

    Welcome to Week 3! Let's see what you'll learn about this week.

  • The Role of Retailers

    Learn about what role manufacturers and retailers play in healthier materials. We'll think about transparency and how you can find out what's in building materials to make good choices.

  • Common Building Product Challenges

    Let's take a look at some common building product challenges. Think about how to prioritize materials when there are trade offs to be made.

  • Overcoming Obstacles

    While there are obstacles and challenges in selecting building materials, we can explore a few ways you can overcome those. You'll learn about incentive programs and how those create healthier buildings.

  • Envisioning Healthier Built Environments

    Now, let's envision healthier built environments. We'll consider what the future looks like and why this work is so important. You'll see some case studies of leaders in the industry, and how you can follow their lead.

  • Week 3 Wrap-Up

    We've come to the end of Week 3 and the end of this course! Take a short quiz to reinforce your learning, and make sure you've taken away the important lessons. It's time to reflect on what you've learned and look forward.

Who will you learn with?