Introduction

The construction and building industry is a key contributor to environmental impacts such as resource depletion, energy consumption, and pollution. Green building and sustainable design focus on minimizing these impacts while enhancing the health and well-being of occupants. This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to design, construct, and manage buildings that are environmentally responsible, energy-efficient, and aligned with sustainability principles.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the principles of green building and sustainable design.
2. Learn about energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable materials in construction.
3. Gain insights into green building certifications, including LEED, BREEAM, and WELL.
4. Understand the environmental, social, and economic benefits of sustainable buildings.
5. Learn how to assess, plan, and implement green building strategies.
6. Explore cutting-edge technologies and practices for building design, construction, and operation.
7. Develop an action plan for incorporating sustainability into building projects.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Architects, engineers, and designers
• Construction project managers and contractors
• Sustainability consultants
• Facility managers and building operators
• Developers and real estate professionals
• Environmental and HSE managers
• Urban planners and policy-makers
• Anyone interested in sustainable building practices

Day-by-Day Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Green Building and Sustainable Design

• What is Green Building?
  • Defining green building principles and sustainable design
  • The triple bottom line: Environmental, social, and economic aspects
  • The importance of green buildings in reducing the carbon footprint
  • Key environmental issues: Energy use, water consumption, waste, and materials
• Sustainable Design Concepts
  • The role of design in sustainability: Site planning, building orientation, and passive design
  • Integrating renewable energy and energy-efficient systems
  • Natural ventilation, lighting, and sustainable landscaping
  • The circular economy approach in building design
• Interactive Session:
  • Participants discuss sustainability challenges in their regions or sectors and how green building can address them

Day 2: Sustainable Building Certifications and Standards

• Overview of Green Building Certifications
  • Introduction to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
  • BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
  • WELL Building Standard and its focus on occupant health and well-being
  • Green Globes and other regional certifications
• Certification Requirements and Scoring Systems
  • Categories for certification: Energy, water, materials, indoor environmental quality, and innovation
  • Understanding the points system and prerequisites for certification
  • The certification process: Application, assessment, and achieving certification
• Case Studies:
  • Review of successful green building projects and their certification process
• Workshop:
  • Participants assess a hypothetical building project for certification and suggest improvements to meet green building standards

Day 3: Sustainable Materials and Construction Practices

• Choosing Sustainable Materials
  • Criteria for sustainable materials: Recycled content, low environmental impact, durability
  • Low-impact materials: Bamboo, recycled steel, and sustainable timber
  • The importance of sourcing materials locally to reduce transportation emissions
  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) of materials
• Waste Reduction and Circular Economy in Construction
  • Construction waste management and recycling strategies
  • Demolition and deconstruction practices to reclaim materials
  • Incorporating circular economy principles into design and construction
• Energy and Water Efficiency in Construction
  • Designing for energy efficiency: Insulation, windows, and energy-efficient HVAC systems
  • Water conservation through smart landscaping, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow fixtures
• Workshop:
  • Participants explore the benefits and challenges of selecting sustainable materials for a construction project

Day 4: Green Building Technologies and Innovation

• Innovative Technologies for Green Buildings
  • Smart building technologies: IoT, automation, and energy management systems
  • Solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal heating and cooling
  • Green roofs and walls: Benefits for energy conservation and biodiversity
  • Passive house design: Achieving ultra-low energy buildings
• Building Systems and Energy Management
  • Designing high-performance HVAC systems and lighting systems
  • Using energy modeling and simulation software to optimize performance
  • Renewable energy integration: Solar panels, energy storage, and microgrids
• Sustainable Construction Techniques
  • Prefabrication and modular construction: Benefits for sustainability and efficiency
  • Net-zero buildings and the future of energy-positive architecture
• Case Study:
  • Analyze a green building project that uses innovative technologies and techniques to reduce environmental impacts
• Interactive Session:
  • Participants share innovative technologies or systems they have encountered or would like to implement in their own projects

Day 5: Implementing and Managing Green Building Projects

• Integrating Sustainability into Project Planning
  • Setting sustainability goals from project inception
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams: Designers, engineers, contractors, and sustainability experts
  • Budgeting and cost considerations for green building projects
  • Overcoming common barriers to green building implementation
• Monitoring and Maintaining Sustainable Buildings
  • Post-construction monitoring: Tracking energy use, water consumption, and air quality
  • Creating maintenance plans to ensure ongoing sustainability performance
  • Retrofits and upgrades to improve existing buildings’ sustainability
• The Future of Green Building and Sustainable Design
  • The evolving role of sustainability in building codes and regulations
  • Global trends: Resilience, biophilic design, and decarbonization
  • The role of policy-makers and advocates in advancing green building initiatives
• Final Project:
  • Participants develop a green building implementation plan for a specific project, including certification strategy, materials, technologies, and goals
• Wrap-Up and Certification:
  • Review of key lessons learned, Q&A session.
  • Certification awarded to participants who complete the course.