Sustainable Building Design and Construction
Start In:
| Location: | Haliburton |
|---|---|
| Program Status: | Accepting Applications |
| Program Code: | SBD |
| Co-ordinator: | Chris Magwood |
| Credential: | Ontario College Certificate |
| Classes Start: | May 2, 2011 |
| Tuition/ Fees: |
$3,729.75 per semester *
* Tuition and fees subject to change. |
Note: This program is delivered over 20 weeks.
Program Highlights
The Sustainable Building Design and Construction program is an intensive, hands-on experience that puts students at the centre of the construction of a full-sized (1200-2000 square foot) and cutting-edge sustainable building.
Past Projects:
- 2005: Haliburton 4C's Food Bank and Thrift Shop
- 2006: Classroom for Kinark Outdoor Centre
- 2007: R.D. Lawrence Place
- 2008: Madoc Performing Arts Centre
- 2009: Camp Kawartha Environment Centre
The project for 2010 is to build a home for the Peterborough affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.
What You Learn
The curriculum of this program is unique in the world. Rather than focusing on specialization within the sustainable building field, we hope to graduate people who are strong generalists.
- You get direct experience with the design and complete construction of a project
- You will take on direct responsibility for one structural, one mechanical and one administrative role within the project
- From design considerations to pricing and sourcing materials to installation in the building, the students are fully responsible for their roles
- A large design assignment helps to reinforce and expand on your practical experience
- You work with a real-life design client from initial interview, through setting sustainable goals, creating
Word from the Workplace
“Starting with the first day after the program ended, I have worked on different construction projects including: timber framing, carpentry, conventional building, passive solar construction of a greenhouse, plumbing and electrical work, earth wall partitions, interior and exterior natural finishes, energy efficient retrofits, plaster repairs on existing straw bale buildings, and hosting natural building workshops in Canada and Japan. Plus more work to come in the next year with more plastering projects, workshops, natural finishes for a wider range of customers than before, and participating in the planning of a sustainable housing project for the county of Haliburton.” -Sebastian Rennel
Career Opportunities
Program graduates will have a range of career options, depending upon their background:
- employment with sustainable building companies in Ontario, across Canada and internationally
- work with renewable energy, heating, cooling and ventilation companies, indoor air quality specialists, professional designers, water and waste treatment or ecological renovations companies
- employment with conventional construction companies that provide "green building" options
- self-employment as a builder or designer of sustainable homes or as a specialist in a particular field
- work in product or service development related to sustainable building
- employment with government housing agencies, non-profit housing organizations, international development agencies, or in public awareness and education.
Minimum Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:
- 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
- Or a current Certificate of Qualification as a Carpenter - General.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.If you are interested in starting this program in Spring 2011, apply through ontariocolleges.ca and use the application for the 2010-2011 application year. (The equal consideration application date was February 2nd, 2010.)
Additional Costs
Plan on spending approximately $700 for books and supplies.
Semester 1
Architecture and Design
Course Number: CNST0047
The act of creating a building in a modern context requires a builder to communicate effectively with a number of design professionals including architects, architectural technologists and structural engineers. Builders must be able to read and understand construction documents and express their own ideas in this medium. A builder must also understand the roles and responsibilities of each of the design professionals involved in a project, in order to direct communications appropriately. This course introduces students to the language of architecture. Through analysis of examples, students will learn to read a set of construction documents, including structural, plumbing, heating and electrical and be able to compose materials lists based on the contents of those drawings. Through presentations from qualified professionals, students will understand the roles of, relationships between and responsibilities of architects, engineers and technologists and develop and maintain useful working relationships with them.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Construction for Sustainable Building: Mechanical
Course Number: CNST0075
The numerous mechanical systems in a sustainable building must be installed properly to ensure optimal performance, serviceability and lifespan. They must also be balanced so they work as a coherent system. Many of the systems must be installed to stringent regulations and properly inspected prior to use.This course gives students the opportunity to put their mechanical systems design into operation on a building project. Applying the assistance of a variety of professionals, the students will complete the mechanical installations for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the mechanical elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including water collection and treatment, waste water treatment, plumbing, electrical wiring, electrical generation, heating, cooling and ventilation.Units: 157.50
Hours: 157.50
Construction for Sustainable Building: Structural
Course Number: CNST0074
The structural elements of a sustainable building must be built to high standards, employing the best construction strategies. The structural elements must function properly together, to create an integrated whole that will be sustainable, durable and beautiful.This course gives students the opportunity to put their structural design into operation on a building project. Applying the assistance of a variety of instructors and professionals, the students will complete the structure for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the structural elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including foundation, exterior walls, roof framing and sheathing, insulation, floors, windows and doors, interior framing and partitions, finishes, fixtures and landscaping.Units: 157.50
Hours: 157.50
Contracting and Project Management
Course Number: CNST0048
A successful building project requires careful planning and management. A general contractor is responsible for all the on-site activities for a building project, including the hiring of sub-trades, time and materials management, budgeting and work site safety.In this course, students will learn the role of the general contractor and project manager in the building process, including their professional status, their legal responsibilities and the scope of their work in building design, studying written works and the legal frameworks governing the profession. From a practicing sustainable building contractor, students will learn how the principles of successful general contracting are applied in a sustainable building context. Based on their understanding of contracting, the students will create a working plan for the hands-on component of the course, including materials estimates, labour quotes, sequence of tasks and client relationships.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Design for Sustainable Building: Mechanical
Course Number: MECH0156
Sustainable buildings rely on numerous mechanical systems to achieve their performance goals. These mechanical systems must adhere to principles of sustainability and function in a unified way to ensure the ongoing success of the project goals. Systems theory must be put into practice for a particular project, making optimal use of the available site, conditions, energy sources and client needs with the best knowledge and human resources.This course gives students the opportunity to put their mechanical systems theory and exercises into practice on a building project. All aspects of the mechanical systems are considered. Applying research and the assistance of a variety of professionals, the students will complete the mechanical design for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the mechanical elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including water collection and treatment, waste water treatment, plumbing, electrical wiring, electrical generation, heating, cooling and ventilation.Units: 90.00
Hours: 90.00
Design for Sustainable Building: Structural
Course Number: CNST0073
Sustainable building design involves a lot of theory, but at some point all the theory must become reality in a particular time and place. A successful sustainable building is based on a design that makes the best possible use of the given site, materials, client needs and available knowledge and resources.This course gives students the opportunity to put their design theory and exercises into practice on a building project. All aspects of the building design are considered, from siting and orientation to structural elements, as well as appearance and finishes. Applying research and the assistance of a variety of professionals, the students will complete the structural design for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the structural elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including foundation, wall construction, roof framing and sheathing, insulation, floors, windows and doors, interior framing and partitions, finishes, fixtures and landscaping.Units: 90.00
Hours: 90.00
Project Administration for Sustainable Building
Course Number: CNST0072
The creation of a successful sustainable building project depends upon strong administration skills in a variety of areas. It is here that the challenge to be sustainable is met: by creating an administrative framework that ensures the financial sustainability of the project while also embracing sustainable principles concerning the health and safety of workers, protection of the site environment and public education.This course engages the students in the complete range of administrative duties for a sustainable building project. These roles include budgeting, purchasing, site management, health and safety, publicity and public relations and documentation. Each of these areas requires students to set policies, maintain records, and ensure a continuing overlap between sustainable intentions and sustainable practices.Units: 135.00
Hours: 135.00
Services and Mechanical Systems for Sustainable Building
Course Number: MECH0114
In order to minimise the environmental impact and occupant health impact of a building, an innovative set of mechanical systems must be successfully integrated, including water collection and use, waste water disposal and treatment, heating and cooling, ventilation and electrical power. These are rapidly developing fields, and a successful sustainable builder must have a general knowledge of the kinds of options available and the tools to assess which technologies can be combined to create an effective solution in a particular circumstance. This course provides an introduction to the different categories of mechanical services, and the research tools for students to continuously stay abreast of developments so they can employ the most effective systems to suit a wide variety of building projects. Through presentations from leaders in the design and installation of such systems, as well as through case studies, (including field trips), learners will understand the needs met by each system, and the costs and complexities involved in putting the system into practice.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Sustainable Building Design
Course Number: ENVR0034
Sustainable buildings are unique in many aspects of their design. They must be well-integrated into the environment, incorporate passive solar aspects, and use a range of low-impact foundation and drainage strategies. Materials must be selected to create an appropriate balance between thermal performance and building mass, and day-lighting and aesthetics must all blend together to provide a practical, functional, beautiful and healthy environment. This course will introduce students to a wide range of siting strategies, passive solar strategies, sustainable materials and architectural design strategies appropriate to sustainable building. Through analysis of examples (including site visits to existing buildings), students will become increasingly familiar with a range of sustainable building methods and materials, and be able to assess the health, environmental, cost and aesthetic impacts of each. Applying their knowledge of drafting skills, the students will engage in design exercises based on the needs of a wide range of potential clients, creating basic plans to meet the needs of these clients.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
The Natural, Sustainable and Green Building Movements
Course Number: ENVR0033
The natural, green and / or sustainable building movement is not an organised or well-defined movement. Rather, it is a growing trend toward an awareness that our built environment has a huge impact on the natural environment, and on our health and well-being. This issue is of particular importance in our northern climate, coupled with work habits that encourage us to spend the majority of our time inside the confines of buildings. There are a vast number of ways in which our buildings can have less dramatic impacts on the natural environment and simultaneously be healthier and more pleasant places to spend our time. These wide-ranging strategies for improvement are the basis for the green building movement. This course helps to set the stage for student understanding of this movement: its origins, principles, and philosophies, as well as the thinkers and practitioners who have helped to shape and form it, in Canada and internationally. Through analysis of examples, research studies and existing data, students will be able to develop a sound case for sustainable building. On course completion, students will have entered fully into the ongoing conversation between building occupants, builders, building designers and regulators about what constitutes a built environment that addresses basic human and planetary health needs as key design considerations.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00