Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy

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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

1,956 already enrolled

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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 videos Total 55 minutes

Introduction to Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building 3 minutes
Introduction to Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy 2 minutes
Introduction to From Blueprint to Building 2 minutes
The Significance of Materials Health to Contractors 5 minutes
Defining Practices and Coordinating Subcontractors 6 minutes
Writing and Implementing Healthier Specifications 10 minutes
Materials Procurement and Tracking 7 minutes
Protective Measures through Installation 6 minutes
Building in the Context of Healthy Environments: Q&A with Dennis Rijkhoff 7 minutes
Selecting Healthier Furnishings 6 minutes
From Blueprint to Building Conclusion 2 minutes

6 readings Total 120 minutes

Welcome and Course Methods 10 minutes
Course Presenter Profiles 10 minutes
Key Terminologies and Concepts 10 minutes
Safety on the Job Site 30 minutes
Sustainable Specification Language 30 minutes
Healthy Materials Lab Textiles Collection and Specifications 30 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

From Blueprint to Building: Summative Assessment 30 minutes

4 discussion prompts Total 40 minutes

Introductions 10 minutes
Protective Measures for Contractor and Subcontractors 10 minutes
Project Communication and Tracking 10 minutes
Bringing Together a Healthier Materials Project 10 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 videos Total 44 minutes

Introduction to Disrupting the Status Quo: Design Through the Lens of Circularity 2 minutes
The Toxic Legacy of Today's Building Industry 7 minutes
Hand-in-Hand: Innovation and Circularity 7 minutes
Waste as a Resource: Urban Mining 7 minutes
Opportunities Arising from Circularity 8 minutes
Maintaining Trust and Managing Expectations 5 minutes
Fundamental Market Changes 7 minutes
Disrupting the Status Quo: Design Through the Lens of Circularity Conclusion 1 minute

3 readings Total 90 minutes

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

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Disrupting the Status Quo: Design Through the Lens of Circularity: Summative Assessment 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Moving Beyond Take-Make-Waste 10 minutes
Circularity: Better for Business and the Environment 10 minutes
Designers as Changemakers 10 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!

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment1 peer review3 discussion prompts

9 videos Total 50 minutes

Introduction to Professional Practice in an Evolving World 2 minutes
The International Movement towards Circular Cities 7 minutes
Regenerative Cities: The Ecopolis 7 minutes
Digital Technology's Role in Supporting Circularity and Health 8 minutes
Innovating Material Systems 7 minutes
The Importance of Policy to Drive Change 7 minutes
Building from the Ground Up: A Localized and Harmonized Approach 9 minutes
Professional Practice in an Evolving World Conclusion 2 minutes
Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy Conclusion 2 minutes

4 readings Total 100 minutes

Inspiring the Future: CityLoops 30 minutes
Using Tools for Positive Innovation 30 minutes
Approaches to Creating Good Policy Initiatives 30 minutes
Level up! 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Professional Practice in an Evolving World: Summative Assessment 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Peer Review: Healthier Project Execution through Strategic Communication 120 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Why Circular Cities Matter 10 minutes
Innovating a Healthier World 10 minutes
Visioning for a Circular Future 10 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Instructors

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

Parsons School of Design, The New School

4 Courses 6,778 learners

Offered by

Parsons School of Design, The New School

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Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024

Alignment with current industry trends and future needs

Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025

Great content, clear and interesting, very useful. I highly recommended it to anyone interested in healthier materials amd sustainable building.

Reviewed on Jan 16, 2025

Good work from the university, and it proved to be learning quickly...

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.