Sustainable Building: A Healthy, Circular Future

The second course in the "Sustainable Building: Healthier Material Framework" program dives into the principles and practice of integrated design and project planning.  Learners will explore strategies that prioritize collaboration among critical stakeholders to drive healthier material decisions from concept through construction. Emphasis is placed on early-phase planning, interdisciplinary coordination, and lifecycle thinking to reduce toxic chemical exposures, minimize embodied carbon, and align with sustainable building certifications.  Full curriculum below.

CURRICULUM

7 Chapters · 35 Lessons

  1. 1

    A HEALTHY, CIRCULAR FUTURE

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction: Integrated Design Process + Practice Makes Perfect

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Identifying Health Goals and Opportunities for Impact

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Communicating Decisions and Articulating Product Criteria

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Integrated Project Planning: Involving Critical Stakeholders

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Reconciling Material Health and Energy Efficiency

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      DISCUSSION: How to Educate Yourself and Others

  2. 2

    PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Codes, Regulations, and Incentive Programs

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Commonalities among Major Building Standards (LEED, LBC, WELL, EGCC, FitWel)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Customizing Your Own Framework

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Recap: Defining the Project Framework and Methods

  3. 3

    TEAMS REQUIRED FOR A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction: Who are the Teams?

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Communication Strategies for Engaging the Team

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Writing and Implementing Specifications

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Significance of Material Health to Contractors

  4. 4

    DESIGN TEAM

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Engineering Controls: Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Material Categories: Where to Keep an Eye Peeled

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      RECAP: Design Team

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      DISCUSSION: How to Overcome challanges

  5. 5

    CONTRACTOR TEAM

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Defining Practices and Coordinating Subcontractors

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Materials Procurement and Handling

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Commissioning and Preparing for Occupancy

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Protective Measures through Installation

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Preparing for Renovation or Demolition

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      RECAP: Construction Team

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      DISCUSSION: Protective Measures for Contractors and Subcontractors

  6. 6

    MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS TEAM

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Project Turnover and the Role of Occupants

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Furnishings and Supplies

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Operations and Cleaning Protocols

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Post Occupancy Monitoring and Engagement

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      RECAP: Occupants, Maintenance, and Operations Team

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      DISCUSSION: Bringing Together a Healthier Materials Project

  7. 7

    INNOVATE & ADVOCATE

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Future Focused

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Become an Advocate

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      DISCUSSION: Pitch Perfect!

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Exit Survey & CEU Application

Resources to Design a Healthier Future

We are Healthy Materials Lab, a design research lab at Parsons School of Design, dedicated to accelerating the design and construction of healthy homes, communities, and ecologies.