The current political climate and threats to green initiatives notwithstanding, architects are still charged with making the best choices for clients and for the future of the planet. Green building isn’t just about adhering to regulations. It’s more about minimizing the negative effects of construction and, hopefully, leaving the Earth in better condition going forward.
Green Building Guidelines for New Home Construction is one of the most popular PDH Academy CE courses. It’s part of the Florida architect continuing education bundle or you can purchase it on its own. This course is approved by the American Institute of Architects and provides you with 4 credit hours.
Here’s what’s inside:
What’s it All About?
Green building guidelines make up a “whole systems” approach to building design and construction and extends to the building’s operation. These guidelines hinge on two key points: to minimize the use of resources and improve livability. It requires balance.
Green construction is designed to consume less energy in construction and operation. It makes the best use of low-environmental-impact materials and strives for a low carbon footprint. Depending on the scope of work, it might include recycled materials, low VOC products, passive solar heat gain control and much more.
Green building continuing education helps you efficiently incorporate what you know into your everyday practice.
What do the Guidelines Include?
This PDH Academy course is based on materials that were developed by the Sonoma County, CA Waste Management Agency. Here’s what each of the chapters cover:
Chapter 1: Overview of Green Building. This section introduces the topic, talks about the objectives of green building and weaves in the benefits.
Chapter 2: How to Start Building Green. The second chapter discusses the maturing market for green building, working incrementally as the market develops and integrating best practices into an existing system.
Chapter 3: Green Points. This part of the course teaches how to examine a project and decide which green features are best suited for maximum effect.
Chapter 4: Green Building Methods and Materials. In this information-packed section, students learn about numerous green building features, the best ways to use them and identifying green features the student has already used.
Chapter 5: Selling Green Homes. In this section, students learn about market differentiation, sales staff education and selling clients on the benefits of green initiatives.
Chapter 6: Summary of Green Building Benefits
According to Florida Chapter, U.S. Green Building Initiative, green building has “greatly transformed” much of the market through transparency in materials, ingredients and building performance. This course helps you do your part to support the cause.
Learning Objectives
Once you complete PDH Academy’s Green Building Guidelines for New Home Construction course, you’ll have a new set of proficiencies or a freshening up of existing ones.
- Learning objective 1: Understand that green building is where three main objectives meet. Natural resource conservation, improved energy efficiency, and better indoor air quality are at the heart of green building.
- Learning objective 2: Understand that homes built according to green guidelines are higher quality because the design and materials were created for better performance.
- Learning objective 3: Understand the “Green Points” ratings system developed for “designers, builders, homeowners and municipalities” as an assessment tool to determine how “green” a home really is.
- Learning objective 4: Gain a new set of guidelines and resources that help with green building package development and implementation.
Like much of the nation, Florida has begun embracing green building initiatives and the benefits that represent. Greater transparency, healthier homes with fewer toxins and energy conservation are worthy goals for any architect, designer, and homeowner. In the long run, these initiatives branch out to benefit neighborhoods, states, and the world.
At PDH Academy, we provide Florida architect continuing education in a convenient format that’s easy to access. Our course bundle combines some of the top courses for architects in your state and it saves money over being courses individually. When your next credits are due, check out our AIA-approved courses for architects.
