Parsons School of Design, The New School
Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

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Parsons School of Design, The New School

Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Specialization

Develop Material Health Awareness and Strategies. Examine the role of designers and the intersection of human, environmental, and material health in the built world.

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
Catherine Murphy

Instructors: Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP

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4.8

(53 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

3 months
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.8

(53 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

3 months
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Examine the human health, environmental, and social impacts of design materials

  • Create healthier alternative approaches to traditional material selection processes and project execution

  • Evaluate design project communication to promote transparency, healthier materials, and buy-in

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Taught in English

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Specialization - 4 course series

What you'll learn

  • Assess the human health impact of toxic chemicals in building materials

  • Evaluate the health impact of building materials using current methods and resources

  • Apply strategies for reducing the health and environmental impacts of building materials throughout their life cycles

Skills you'll gain

Category: Environmental Engineering
Category: Environmental Science
Category: Environment Health And Safety
Category: Health Disparities
Category: Health Assessment
Category: Chemistry
Category: Social Justice
Category: Community Health
Category: Building Design
Category: Environmental Issue
Category: Product Lifecycle Management
Category: Public Health and Disease Prevention

What you'll learn

  • Develop a scientific understanding of toxic chemicals in building materials and their impact on human health

  • Explore chemical innovations in healthier and more sustainable building materials

  • Apply strategies for reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the built environment

Skills you'll gain

Category: Chemistry
Category: Pollution Prevention
Category: Architecture and Construction
Category: Health And Safety Standards
Category: Hazard Communication (HazCom)
Category: Risk Management
Category: Building Design
Category: Environmental Science
Category: Environmental Issue
Category: Environmental Engineering
Category: Risk Analysis

What you'll learn

  • Shift from traditional design to a healthier materials design approach

  • Evaluate tools and resources for protecting human health

  • Apply strategies for choosing healthier materials

Skills you'll gain

Category: Product Testing
Category: Building Design
Category: Environment and Resource Management
Category: Environment Health And Safety
Category: Chemistry
Category: Research
Category: Design
Category: Environmental Issue
Category: Innovation
Category: Building Codes
Category: Product Lifecycle Management
Category: Design Specifications
Category: Health And Safety Standards
Category: Health Assessment
Category: Architectural Design

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

Category: Corporate Sustainability
Category: Health And Safety Standards
Category: Systems Thinking
Category: Environmental Policy
Category: Civil Engineering
Category: Waste Minimization
Category: Construction
Category: Environment and Resource Management
Category: Innovation
Category: Building Design
Category: Construction Management
Category: Architecture and Construction
Category: Design Thinking
Category: Digital Transformation
Category: Environmental Engineering
Category: Conceptual Design
Category: Procurement
Category: Materials Management
Category: Architectural Engineering

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Instructors

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
Parsons School of Design, The New School
4 Courses4,881 learners

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