Green Materials and Systems

This unit examines sustainable building materials, water and energy systems, and green construction practices used in residential remodeling and new construction. Students will investigate material life-cycle, water- and energy-conservation strategies, certification pathways (such as LEED), and practical installation and advanced framing techniques to improve building performance.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and compare the life-cycle environmental impacts, upfront costs, and projected payback periods of at least three green building materials (e.g., recycled-content drywall, recycled-glass tile/terrazzo, rammed earth, insulated concrete forms) using provided data sets
• Evaluate water-conservation and reuse strategies (including graywater systems, rainwater harvesting, and water-saving fixtures) for a residential remodel and prepare a compliant system recommendation that identifies expected water savings and health/regulatory considerations
• Demonstrate correct selection, sizing, and installation sequencing for insulation, insulated concrete forms, and advanced framing techniques by producing a labeled assembly plan and performing basic thermal or material calculations
• Apply green certification criteria and incentive research by completing a preliminary LEED/green-checklist for a remodel scenario, identifying applicable product certifications, and compiling potential rebates and incentives to support project decision-making