Overview and Award Outcomes
Overview
The Sustainable Construction/Green Building award builds on basic skills the student has acquired in a carpentry program or through field experience. The purpose of the award is to develop advanced skills in the integration of green building technologies into conventional residential construction practices. The student will investigate the relationships between a building and its environment. Furthermore, the student will learn to identify environmentally responsible materials and building practices. Students will explore the efficient use of energy and materials to improve the efficiency and safety of a building and investigate ways to improve the health and comfort of a building’s occupants. The courses will identify various home rating systems so the learner can understand their place in the construction of sustainable homes. Ultimately the student is then able to identify the building as a system where energy, materials and installation practices come together to reduce the footprint on the environment.
Prerequisite: Graduate of a Carpentry program or instructor approval.
Award Outcomes
Recognize the need to conserve energy.
Identify health/safety issues related to the indoor environment.
Explain the principles that influence building performance.
Apply building science principles and practices to mainstream residential construction practices.
Identify building strategies and components that constitute a sustainable/green built environment.
Apply building codes and construction standards.
Demonstrate knowledge of the materials and methods used in sustainable construction.
Model effective problem-solving strategies.
Prepare construction documents.
Career Opportunities
As the residential construction industry and our society embraces sustainable/green technologies, students in the Residential Building Technology program are prepared for careers in weatherization, green remodeling and building new, sustainable, homes. They may work for a general contractor, a specialty contractor (e.g., such as a weatherization contractor), or may choose to operate their own business.