How to Plan Green and Resilient Housing Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Certification Landscape

Surveys green building rating systems and performance-based codes. Provides context for compliance pathways used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Defining Green Housing Principles

Introduces environmental performance goals for residential buildings. Connects energy, water, and material efficiency to measurable sustainability outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Stakeholder Roles in Green Projects

Maps responsibilities of owners, designers, contractors, and occupants. Establishes collaboration as a prerequisite for integrated green outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Integrated Design Process Overview

Introduces whole-systems thinking as the methodology for green housing. Shows how early collaboration reduces cost and improves performance.

Lesson 1 • Site Assessment Techniques

Covers topography, hydrology, vegetation, and soil evaluation methods. Connects site assets and constraints to building placement decisions.

Lesson 2 • Natural Ventilation and Cooling

Designs airflow paths using stack effect and cross-ventilation principles. Reduces mechanical cooling demand in appropriate climate zones.

Lesson 3 • Climate Data Interpretation

Teaches use of climate files, sun path diagrams, and wind roses. Translates raw data into actionable design parameters for the site.

Lesson 4 • Land Use and Density Considerations

Evaluates how site density, infill, and transit proximity affect sustainability. Connects land use decisions to long-term community resilience.

Lesson 1 • High-Performance Window and Door Systems

Evaluates glazing performance metrics including solar heat gain and visible transmittance. Balances daylighting, solar control, and thermal loss.

Lesson 2 • Insulation Systems and Materials

Compares insulation types by performance, embodied carbon, and application. Guides selection for walls, roofs, and below-grade assemblies.

Lesson 3 • Roof and Foundation Assemblies

Designs thermally continuous roof and foundation details for high-performance targets. Addresses moisture management at grade and below-grade conditions.

Lesson 4 • Air Sealing and Moisture Control

Addresses air leakage as the primary driver of energy loss and moisture damage. Teaches air barrier continuity and vapour management strategies.

Lesson 1 • Heating and Cooling Load Calculations

Applies manual and software-based methods to size HVAC equipment accurately. Prevents oversizing, which degrades efficiency and comfort.

Lesson 2 • High-Efficiency HVAC Technologies

Compares heat pumps, mini-splits, and high-efficiency furnaces by climate suitability. Connects equipment selection to energy and emissions targets.

Lesson 3 • Duct Design and System Commissioning

Applies duct sizing and sealing standards to minimise distribution losses. Introduces commissioning as the verification step for system performance.

Lesson 4 • Water Heating and Distribution Efficiency

Evaluates heat pump water heaters, solar thermal, and on-demand systems. Addresses distribution losses through pipe insulation and recirculation design.

Lesson 1 • Landscape Water Management

Applies irrigation efficiency and plant selection to reduce outdoor water demand. Connects landscape design to site hydrology and heat island reduction.

Lesson 2 • Green Infrastructure for Stormwater

Designs bioretention, permeable paving, and green roofs to manage runoff on site. Reduces peak flow and improves water quality at the source.

Lesson 3 • Indoor Water Conservation Fixtures

Specifies low-flow plumbing fixtures and appliances to reduce potable water demand. Quantifies savings using baseline comparison methods.

Lesson 4 • Flood Resilience and Site Drainage

Integrates flood risk assessment with site grading and drainage design. Protects building foundations and occupants from recurring flood events.

Lesson 1 • Structural Material Selection

Compares wood, mass timber, steel, and concrete by embodied carbon and performance. Guides structural material choices for green housing projects.

Lesson 2 • Recycled and Reclaimed Material Use

Integrates salvaged and recycled-content materials to reduce extraction impacts. Addresses quality verification and supply chain sourcing.

Lesson 3 • Life Cycle Assessment Fundamentals

Introduces LCA methodology to quantify environmental impacts across a material's life. Connects embodied carbon to whole-building carbon accounting.

Lesson 4 • Construction Waste Reduction

Designs waste management plans to divert construction debris from landfills. Applies prefabrication and modular strategies to minimise on-site waste.

Lesson 1 • Wildfire and Extreme Heat Resilience

Specifies ignition-resistant materials and defensible space to reduce wildfire risk. Addresses passive cooling strategies for extreme heat events.

Lesson 2 • Wind and Hurricane Resistant Design

Applies continuous load path principles and impact-resistant detailing for high-wind zones. Addresses roof-to-wall and wall-to-foundation connections.

Lesson 3 • Seismic Resilience Strategies

Designs lateral force-resisting systems appropriate for residential seismic zones. Covers shear wall layout, hold-downs, and soft-story retrofits.

Lesson 4 • Hazard Risk Assessment Methods

Quantifies site-specific hazard probability using risk mapping and historical data. Establishes risk tolerance thresholds that guide design decisions.

Lesson 1 • Setting Measurable Performance Targets

Translates sustainability goals into quantified energy, water, and carbon metrics. Establishes baselines and stretch targets for project accountability.

Lesson 2 • Cost-Benefit Analysis for Green Features

Evaluates first cost vs. life cycle savings for green investments. Supports decision-making with payback period and net present value tools.

Lesson 3 • Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Monitoring

Establishes monitoring protocols to verify that buildings perform as designed. Uses occupant feedback and utility data to drive continuous improvement.

Lesson 4 • Construction Administration for Green Projects

Manages submittals, substitutions, and field verification to protect green design intent. Addresses common construction-phase failures in green projects.