Course Description
Design features and technologies contained in sustainable (green) building design and the process to create a green building to include commercial and residential construction. Topics include energy and water, construction materials, site work, indoor environmental quality, and how design practices fit into the overall picture of developing a more sustainable society.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will research a topic related to green
building design including but not limited to the effects of
temperature and ventilation on organisms. This research will
be presented in the form of a manuscript and presentation to
the class. They will also present a "laboratory" on the
application of non-traditional control systems.
Athena Title
Sustainable Building Design
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in CVLE 4660E, MCHE 4660E, LAND 4660E or CVLE 6660E, MCHE 6660E, LAND 6660E
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Third-year student standing or higher for CVLE and MCHE and LAND majors
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course presents a detailed study of the design features and process for sustainable (green) commercial and residential buildings. Since the subject of sustainable design requires interdisciplinary thinking and integration of design, the topics covered will themselves be multi-disciplinary. Students will gain an appreciation of the integrated design process for achieving a sustainable building design as well as new technologies that are coming to market that minimize the environmental impact of buildings. The course also will help prepare the students to independently investigate topics and summarize their findings in the context of a broader picture than just engineering equations or environmental design concepts.
Topical Outline
The course will cover the following main topical areas: 1. Background and introduction to sustainable design concepts (a) What is it? (b) Why do it? (c) LEED and other green building rating programs in the marketplace (d) The proposed ASRHAE Standard 189.1 for High Performance Green Buildings 2. Building design process (a) A study of the process from selecting the building program through concept determination, the design process, and finishing through construction and occupancy (b) Integrated design and opportunities for influencing green design principles 3. Site selection and preparation (a) Building orientation (b) Stormwater and erosion control during construction 4. Building structures and materials (a) "cradle to cradle" approach (b) selection of materials for low environmental impact 5. Energy using systems (a) HVAC (b) Lighting 6. Water using systems (a) Internal: Potable and non-potable; conservation; greywater (b) External: Irrigation (c) Rainfall capture and use 7. Interior space (a) Materials and selection (non-structural) 8. Indoor environmental quality (a) Air (b) Lighting and visual perception (c) Noise (d) Thermal comfort 9. Site finishing (a) Vegetation (b) Hardscape (c) Stormwater: Control after occupancy
Syllabus