Sustainable Building: Health in Practice

The first course in "Sustainable Building: A Healthy Materials Framework" introduces participants to the fundamental relationship between building materials and human and environmental health.  Learners will examine the composition of common materials used in construction and interior finishes - unpacking how chemical ingredients, manufacturing processes, and material choices impact indoor air quality, occupant wellbeing, and ecological systems.  The course demystifies complex product labels and certifications, helping learners identify hazardous substances such as VOCs, flame retardants, and endocrine disruptors.  Full curriculum below.

CURRICULUM

5 Chapters · 11 Lessons

  1. 1

    SUSTAINABLE BUILDING: A MATERIALS GUIDE

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Sustainabile Building: Course Intent

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Methodology + Grading

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet the Experts

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Introductions

  2. 2

    CHEMISTRY: UNLOCKING THE SCIENCE

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Carbon-Chemical Connection

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Sourcing Healthier Alternatives

  3. 3

    LIFE CYCLE OF MATERIALS

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Leveraging Innovations for Impact

  4. 4

    INDOOR AIR QUALITY

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Incorporating Feedback for Improvement

  5. 5

    HEALTH IN PRACTICE

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Creating an Action Plan

Resources to Design a Healthier Future

We are Healthy Materials Lab, a design research lab at Parsons School of Design. We’re here to help you design and build healthier homes, communities and environments.