AECT 415 - Sustainable Building Practices

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory (or Other) Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Restriction(s): Restricted to junior and senior Construction Management and Architecture students

The course is concerned with environmental issues and how they ultimately impact society and building construction methodology. This will be viewed globally, regionally and locally. There will be discussion of general design, based on principles of sustainability, energy efficiency and other environmentally and ecologically friendly construction methods typically found on residential and commercial building sites. Other topics will include the impact of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), National Green Building Standard (NGBS), and other “green” organizations have on the building industry today.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Students will discuss environmental matters currently influencing the building industry. This includes correctly identifying the various issues faced in different geographic regions.
Students will demonstrate this knowledge of sustainable building practices within a long-term, small group project (4-5 students) involving in-depth design of a sustainable structure.
Students will view case studies and consider the impact of the site plan on the overall efficiency and sustainability of the structure.
Students will compare various green energy options, advantages and disadvantages depending on the geographic location, site, and other factors.
Students will demonstrate understanding of indoor environmental quality by incorporating these concepts, in a practical manner, into a structures design.
Students will demonstrate understanding of sustainable products used on/within a structure by incorporating the products into a sustainable structure. Accuracy will be determined by the proper use of the components in the given situation.