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Sample Curriculum & Past Workshops Designing Sustainable Communities John discusses his work on building sustainable communities in China, Mexico, South Africa and the Caribbean. Learn how economics, the environment & the social aspects all come into the building of a sustainable community. Some of the technologies and techniques John speaks about are using compacted dirt as building blocks (compressed earth construction), community gardens, Earth Home(, waste management, and rainwater irrigation. Understand the basics of the integration of the sustainable aspects of housing, communications, transportation, and business is applied in these communities. View the steps taking place at the Beijing 2008 Olympics planning site to creating zero energy buildings, reusing water, and serving transportation needs by using electric, natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cell power. See how solar health clinics in rural, northwest China at high altitudes were designed. Lastly, bask in the most high-end sustainable community
in the world being built developed on a 6,000-acre plot on the coast of
the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico.
Building a Pond In November 2005, Aquascapes Designs and Paul Bassett
of Hydro-Logix Solutions, Inc. did a hands-on workshop on building a pond
which could be replenished by stored rainwater. During this day-long workshop,
Paul taught 40 participants ranging from local landscape contractors to
people interested in getting into the pond building industry. Installing
the water features, learning how to incorporate different elements into
the pond's construction such as going from a high to low level of terrain,
creating waterfalls and a disappearing pond effect were a few of the highlights
of the seminar. Paul also discussed the ecological benefits of building
a water feature and how it can help reduce run-off.
Natural House Building &
Renewable Energy Introduction Also in November 2005, Green Building Institute partnered
with Solar Energy International to put on a week-long course which provided
an overview of natural building, and covered how to use solar, wind and
water power to generate electricity for homes. The SEI instructors gave
an introduction on the art and science of natural building materials,
techniques, and design considerations for earth and straw construction.
The students also learned how modern renewable energy systems, like solar
electric photovoltaic (PV) systems, can provide utility independence and/or
can be used to 'buy and sell' electricity with the local utility company.
The instructors explained the solar rebate programs, discussed tax incentives,
and addressed how to work with local professionals in evaluating their
practical renewable energy and natural home building options.
Energy Efficiency for the
Home Stanley J. Sersen, NCARB, LEED(r)AP, RS Jeff Gilbert Paul E. Bassett Stan Sersen served as "Master of Ceremonies" for a discussion on using energy efficient products in the home with Jeff Gilbert and Paul Bassett at the Home Depot in Baltimore City near Dundalk. Stan, Paul, and Jeff, as well as representatives from Home Depot, gave a presentation about how to make homes better insulated, more heat and cold resistant and how to save money on utility bills.
LEED for Homes Jay Hall, Ph.D. The Green Building Institute hosted featured speaker, Jay Hall, PhD, at Baltimore's blue house during Baltimore Green Week. Jay's presentation provided highlights of the pilot phase of the LEED For Homes program. The purpose of the pilot is to test the LEED for Homes
Rating System and its delivery procedures in 11 selected markets, geographically
distributed across the US. Currently, the 100 registered pilot builders
plan to build almost 500 housing units. The pilot is scheduled to conclude
in December 2006. Then, in early 2007, the fully chartered LEED for Homes
program is expected to launch nationally.
Rainwater Harvesting for
the Home Garden Paul E. Bassett This seminar focuses on how and why to collect, store
and transport rainwater from the roof to the garden. Paul will discuss
and demonstrate gutter filtration, downspout collection, rain barrels,
rain tanks, small water pumps, irrigation timers and weather sensors and
drip and micro-irrigation systems.
Plants & Green Buildings Paul E. Bassett Michael Furbish This seminar is an overview of the latest Green Building
technologies focusing on those which use plants as sustainable building
systems components; living roofs to managing storm water; living walls
to serve as air filters; living "machines" to treat wastewater
and more.
Competitive Advantage for
Future Home Building A report commissioned by the National Association
of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that a majority of builders in the U. S.
are expected to be involved in green building over the next couple of
years. Learn the Do's and Don'ts of Green building and how you can gain
a competitive advantage by offering a product that will be in demand even
in a soft market.
The Home Owner's Guide to
Green Building As a homeowner or renter, discover how you can use
green building techniques to decrease your energy use and costs and create
a healthier environment in which to live. Get important tips on upgrading
your home for energy efficiency and mold prevention. Learn how to use
natural, passive methods of heating and cooling your home to soften the
blow of increased electricity costs.
Understanding Green Building
Certifications Understanding the categories behind getting a green
building "certified" will help you learn about the interrelations
of the various dimensions that make up a green building. In this seminar
the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental
Design (LEED(r)), the Green Building Initiative's Green Globe Rating system
and other rating systems for homes will be discussed. Find out what it
takes to get your next building project officially recognized as being
Green.
The Home Buyer's Guide to
House Selection Are you or will you be in the market for a new or
previously owned home? With an understanding of natural forces and some
basic building science, you will gain a better understanding about the
major investment you plan to make. Armed with the knowledge you will gain
from this course you will be
Introduction to Solar Energy
(PV) systems & Jeff Gilbert In the Introduction to Solar Energy (PV) systems seminar, Jeff will give an overview of solar electric systems (photovoltaics or PV). He will show how these PV systems work and how homeowners can take advantage of state and federal incentives to help pay for their systems. In the Introduction to Solar Water Heating systems seminar, Jeff will give an overview of solar water heating, which will include a tour of the EnviroCenter solar radiant floor heating system. The seminars will cover these questions and more:
Chasing the Sun Take a solar tour around the world with Neville Williams, founder of the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a non-profit organization founded in 1990, which has done projects and enterprises in China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, the Solomon Islands, Navajo Nation, Nigeria, and Bhutan. Solar power is providing solutions for development
and to provide clean energy in countries where oil is expensive and concern
about global warming and climate change is high. Why isn't solar power
going mainstream in the U.S.? It can, and it will, and more is happening
with solar and renewables here than most people realize. But, we have
a long way to go to catch up with Germany, Japan, and thousands of villages
in the developing world where people take solar power for granted, since
that's all they have, and it works for them beautifully.
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| The Green Building Institute 7761 Waterloo Road, Jessup, Maryland 20794 | tel 443-733-1234 | fax 443-733-1219 design: substance151 |
