In the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization from Parsons School of Design, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of building materials on human health, the environment, and society. Through a series of engaging modules, you'll explore the intersection of design and material health, develop strategies for choosing healthier alternatives, and learn to communicate the importance of transparent, healthier material choices throughout the project lifecycle.
Key topics covered in this specialization include:
Upon completion, you'll be equipped to create healthier alternative approaches to traditional material selection processes and project execution, evaluate design project communication to promote transparency, healthier materials, and buy-in, and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
Certificate Available ✔
Get Started / More Info
This specialization comprises four modules that cover the human health impact of building materials, material chemistry, sustainable building design and specification, and sustainable construction in a circular economy.
Throughout Module 1, Building Materials and Human Health, you'll delve into the assessment of the human health impact of toxic chemicals in building materials. You'll also learn to evaluate the health impact of building materials and apply strategies for reducing their health and environmental impacts throughout their life cycles.
Module 2, Material Chemistry and Sustainable Building, focuses on developing a scientific understanding of toxic chemicals in building materials and exploring chemical innovations in healthier and more sustainable building materials. You'll also apply strategies for reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the built environment.
In Module 3, Sustainable Building: Design and Specification, you'll shift from traditional design to a healthier materials design approach. Additionally, you'll evaluate tools and resources for protecting human health and apply strategies for choosing healthier materials in the design process.
Module 4, Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy, involves analyzing the role of contractors, subcontractors, and material procurement in the execution of a healthier project. You'll also discuss the relationship between circular design and design innovation, as well as examine the capacity of material systems to contribute to a circular, low-carbon, regenerative, and equitable world.
Global Health Challenges and Governance addresses key concepts of global health, globalisation, and governance. It equips learners to understand and advocate for...
Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare is a comprehensive exploration of critical drivers of racial disparities in healthcare, including financing, access to care,...
This course equips learners with the technical and management principles essential for planning, implementing, and evaluating health programs in complex humanitarian...
This course provides evidence-informed solutions to address the opioid epidemic in the United States. It covers data sources, clinical guidelines, pharmacy benefit...