Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy

Parsons School of Design, The New School

Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy

This course is part of Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

Instructors: Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

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2,032 already enrolled

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

26 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

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.

26 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Analyze the role of contractors, subcontractors, and material procurement in the execution of a healthier project
Discuss the relationship between circular design and design innovation
Examine the capacity of material systems to contribute to a circular, low-carbon, regenerative, and equitable world

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

3 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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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 takes a wide-lens view of the role of materials decisions in circular design and the promotion of a healthier world. You find out how to execute a healthier project. You learn why healthier materials matter to the entire project team and the importance of communication between teams. You look at circularity, embodied carbon reduction, and the evolution of the built environment. You examine the role designers play in executing a healthier project, from construction to installation to use, and its significance in the context of cities. Participants in the course should have leadership-level career experience in design, architecture, contracting, or a similar field.

Welcome to From Blueprint to Building. In this module, we'll examine how to take a project from the blueprint (or design plan, often referred to as a 'construction document' in this course) to the completed project. We'll learn how specific materials impact the overall health of the project and what that means for the construction team. We will explore the material specification, procurement, and handling processes. By the end of this module, you will know how to implement protective measures throughout the lifecycle of a project. Let's get started!

What's included

11 videos6 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

11 videosTotal 55 minutes

Introduction to Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building3 minutes
Introduction to Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy2 minutes
Introduction to From Blueprint to Building2 minutes
The Significance of Materials Health to Contractors5 minutes
Defining Practices and Coordinating Subcontractors6 minutes
Writing and Implementing Healthier Specifications10 minutes
Materials Procurement and Tracking7 minutes
Protective Measures through Installation6 minutes
Building in the Context of Healthy Environments: Q&A with Dennis Rijkhoff7 minutes
Selecting Healthier Furnishings6 minutes
From Blueprint to Building Conclusion2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 120 minutes

Welcome and Course Methods10 minutes
Course Presenter Profiles10 minutes
Key Terminologies and Concepts10 minutes
Safety on the Job Site30 minutes
Sustainable Specification Language30 minutes
Healthy Materials Lab Textiles Collection and Specifications30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

From Blueprint to Building: Summative Assessment30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Introductions10 minutes
Protective Measures for Contractor and Subcontractors10 minutes
Project Communication and Tracking10 minutes
Bringing Together a Healthier Materials Project10 minutes

Welcome to Disrupting the Status Quo: Design through the Lens of Circularity. In this module, we'll learn how linear economic models have given need for a more circular approach in the future. We will explore how the reuse of materials creates economic opportunities and change in the marketplace. By the end of this module, you will understand how collaboration, trust, and knowledge sharing are essential for generating client buy-in to a healthier materials approach. Let's get started!

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 44 minutes

Introduction to Disrupting the Status Quo: Design Through the Lens of Circularity2 minutes
The Toxic Legacy of Today's Building Industry7 minutes
Hand-in-Hand: Innovation and Circularity7 minutes
Waste as a Resource: Urban Mining7 minutes
Opportunities Arising from Circularity8 minutes
Maintaining Trust and Managing Expectations5 minutes
Fundamental Market Changes7 minutes
Disrupting the Status Quo: Design Through the Lens of Circularity Conclusion1 minute

3 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Why the Building Sector?30 minutes
What Is FutureBuilt?30 minutes
Opportunities for Collaboration in a Circular Economy30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Disrupting the Status Quo: Design Through the Lens of Circularity: Summative Assessment30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Moving Beyond Take-Make-Waste10 minutes
Circularity: Better for Business and the Environment10 minutes
Designers as Changemakers10 minutes

Welcome to Professional Practices in an Evolving World. In this module, we'll learn about the movement toward circular and regenerative cities and see some examples of how cities around the world are implementing circularity. We will explore the capacity of material systems to contribute to a more circular, low-carbon, regenerative, and equitable world. By the end of this module, you will have discovered some strategies that you can take forward to build a healthier, thriving future. Let's get started!