Education
It is crucial for the greater acceptance and implementation of concepts related to sustainable architecture that educational opportunities be provided. Both traditional formal schooling as well as informal, hands-on training are important. Finding these educational resources can be a daunting task, with few institutions offering curricula that is focused on truly sustainable values, although this is changing. Students and the general population are demanding that architects and other professionals be trained in the principles of sustainable architecture, and some institutions are responding to this.
On this page you will find access to many programs and events where you can learn about this all-important field. Specific workshops and events are listed on their own page, whereas on-going workshop opportunities and links to institutions of higher learning can be found here. Some of these are even available as on-line courses. These listings are incomplete, so if you know of something that could be listed but isn't, please let us know. There is a bulletin board of announcements that relate to sustainable architecture. Some books related to teaching or learning various aspects of sustainable architecture are also listed.
CALENDAR OF WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
ONGOING WORKSHOPS:
Sustainable Architecture
Earthen Materials
Strawbale
Cordwood
Earthbags
Stone
Wood
Renewable Energy
Permaculture
INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES with WORKSHOPS
ARTICLES:
Natural Building Colloquium, 2000
Natural Building Colloquium, 2003
Natural Building Colloquium, 2008
Natural Building Colloquium, 2015
REVIEW
Eco-Homes: People, Place and Politics
Media
The media shown below are arranged according to when they were published, with the most recent ones at the top. If you click on one of the images you will be taken to a page at Amazon.com where you can find out more about the book. If you end up buying one of them, greenhomebuilding.com will receive a small commission that will help cover the cost of maintaining this website. Thanks for your patronage.
Institutions of Higher Learning
ecosainstitute.org ECOSA Institute offers a 3 month immersion program in Ecological Design/Architecture that may be worth up to 15 credit hours with an articulation agreement between schools.
nnmc.edu Northern New Mexico Community College at their El Rito Campus has a program of education about adobe constuction.
ces.sdsu.edu San Diego State University offers an on-line course for a professional certificate in Green Building Construction.
bsu.edu/architecture Ball State Universtiy in Muncie, Indiana, offers architectural degrees with some studies in environmental systems.
architecture.arizona.edu The Universtiy of Arizona has a five year program leading to a Bachelor of Architecture, with a strong emphasis on energy conservation.
design.asu.edu School of Architecture, Arizona State University
caed.calpoly.edu California Polytechnic State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design, San Luis Opispo
sonoma.edu Sonoma State University Department of Environmental Studies and Planning
sfia.net San Francisco Institute of Architecture A new kind of school for Architecture and Ecological Design
ced.berkeley.edu University of California, Berkeley, College of Environmental Design
arch.usf.edu University of South Florida School of Architecture and Community Design
capd.ksu.edu Kansas State University College of Architecture Planning and Design
the-bac.edu Boston Architectural Center College of Architecture
mit.edu MIT School of Architecture
wit.edu Wentworth Institute of Technology
design.umn.edu University of Minnesota Department of Architecture
wustl.edu Washington Univertsity in St. Louis, School of Architecture
arch.montana.edu Montana State University School of Architecture
unlv.edu University of Nevada Los Vegas School of Architecture
sipa.columbia.edu Columbia University SIPA Ph.D. in Sustainable Development
arch.rpi.edu Architecture Rensselaer
ncsudesign.org North Carolina State University Scool of Architecture
coa.uncc.edu University of North Carolina College of Architecture
uoregon.edu University of Oregon Department of Architecture
arch.tamu.edu Texas A&M University College of Architecture
soa.utexas.edu University of Texas School of Architecture
arch.vt.edu Virginia Tech College of Architecture & Urban Studies
virginia.edu University of Virginia School of Architecture
sunyulster.edu Ulster County Community College is a two-year college that offers a Sustainable Building Advisor Certificate Program
eng.newcastle.edu.au University of Newcastle in Australia, Environmentally Sustainable Design
greenbuildinguniversity.com features classes about green building that mainly relate to the real estate profession.
gse.cat.org.uk Centre for Alternative Technology offers
a MSc AEES (a degree of the University of East London)
newschool.edu/parsons offers a BFA in Architectural Design, a four-year pre-professional degree in various architectural studies.
Training and Certification
edubirdie.com All About Green Careers for Students
solarenergy.org Solar Energy International offers a Solar Professionals Certificate Program that prepares students for the solar industry and a career.
cascadia.edu the Cascadia Sustainability Academy offers training and certification to building professionals interested in advancing their knowledge and technical mastery of a wide-range of sustainability topics. Each of the programs in the academy provide expert instruction, high quality examinations and ultimately, certification.
naturallivingschool.com offers several levels of certification in Natural Building.
greenadvantage.org Green Advantage Certification helps builders get jobs, contractors win bids, and allows building occupants to enjoy healthier, more efficient homes and buildings.
ibe.colostate.edu The Green Building Certificate Program provides comprehensive and practical knowledge for sustainable building design within the context of LEED at Colorado State University.
solarliving.org in Northern California offers many training courses and workshops related to renewable energy and sustainable living, both hands-on and on-line.
everbluetraining.com an accredited institution that features Renewable Energy Training, Weatherization Training, RESNET HERS Rater, LEED Accredited Professional, NABCEP Solar Certification, Corporate Sustainability, and Carbon Accounting.
endeavourcentre.org Our full-time New Construction and Renovation programs will offer students an in-depth, hands-on experience in a real-life building project from start to finish. We will be adding a full-time Sustainable Design program to that roster of in-depth, intensive, hands-on learning opportunities.
solarschoolpa.com offers courses in photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems for professional solar installers.
plenitudpr.org Plenitud is a research and educational organization focused on Permaculture and natural building. Workshops, trainings, and internships in diverse topics are offered regularly at the teaching center in Puerto Rico in both English and Spanish.
environmentalenergyconsultants.com Environmental Energy Consultants Training for Building Performance Institute Certification Exams
homeinnovation.com coordinates the National Green Building Certification program.
greentrainingusa.com features courses for RESNET EnergySmart contractors, sollar photovoltaics, RESNET HERS Rating, LEED, etc.
regreenprogram.org offers green remodeling training and certification.
sfia.net The San Francisco Institute of Architecture has been offering green building and ecological design degrees and certification for over 23 years.
communityrebuilds.org offers internships in building strawbale homes near Moab, Utah.
permaskills.org offers skills around everything regarding sustainability, starting with Natural Building, and later adding Permaculture / PDC as well as community creation or non violent communication courses.
onlinemastersdegrees.org Best Online Master’s Degrees in Environmental Science
Ongoing Workshops on Sustainable Architecture
sustainablesources.com is an updated list of workshops related to sustainable architecture where people can post their upcoming workshops.
builderswithoutborders.org non-profit devoted to sustainable archtecture around the world.
nibs.orgSustainable Building Industries Council has design software, books, conducts workshops...a membership organization.
usgbc.org U. S. Green Building Council provides a green building rating system with training to implement it.
housealive.org specializes in workshops on Natural Building, Design and Appropriate Technology.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops conducted around the world relating to all aspects of natural building.
ecosainstitute.org The ECOSA Institute offers summer workshops of one month each. The first workshop teaches methods and materials used in sustainable construction, and provides academic and hands on experience in sustainable design and construction.
yestermorrow.org Since 1980, Yestermorrow has been one of the only design/build schools in the country, teaching both design and construction skills.
earthhandsandhouses.org offers a number of workshop each summer in Poland on such topics as earthbags, straw bale, earthen finishes, sculpting, overview of natural building..etc. The summer workshop dates are always posted in February and are 3 days long and cost 100 Euros.
tibarose.com features a variety of workshops on Bio-architecture in Brazil and abroad.
dancingrabbit.org offers both training and jobs in the field of green building and sustainable living.
econesthomes.com offers a variety of workshops about sustainable and natural building techniques.
crestonesolarschool.com offers workshops and classes on solar energy applications as well as natural and alternative building technologies.
endeavourcentre.org Our full-time New Construction and Renovation programs will offer students an in-depth, hands-on experience in a real-life building project from start to finish. We will be adding a full-time Sustainable Design program to that roster of in-depth, intensive, hands-on learning opportunities.
environmentalenergyconsultants.com have a variety of workshops listed.
bluerockstation.com of Ohio sponsors many wonderful workshops related to skills for building earthships.
lowimpact.org the Low-Impact Linging Initiative in England provides information and courses related to such topics as: eco-paints, lime, rammed earth building, strawbale building, solar electricity, solar hot water, wind generators, wood stoves, beekeeping, poultry, organic gardening, wild food, compost toilets, rain water harvesting, biodiesel, etc.
permaskills.org offers skills around everything regarding sustainability.
Ongoing Workshops on Strawbale
caneloproject.com Bill and Athena Steen's lovely site devoted to their work with strawbale building and the use of natural plasters; books, videos, articles and workshops are available.
earthnstraw.com features news, workshop listings, and a forum on strawbale building.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops from around the world related to strawbale building.
cobtogether.com specializes in cob, light straw-clay, strawbale, and natural plasters
proyectosanisidro.com conduct workshops on cob and strawbale in Tlaxco, Mexico, east of Mexico City.
Ongoing Workshops on Cordwood
cordwoodmasonry.com Rob Roy's Earthwood Building School site, focuses on cordwood masonry and earth sheltering.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops from around the world that relate to cordwood construction.
Ongoing Workshops on Earthbags
earthenhand.com conducts workshops that involve earthbag building, mostly in the Northwestern US.
calearth.org Nader Khalili's earthbag works.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops from around the world that relate to earthbags.
bioveda.co conducts workshops around the world featuring Superadobe techniques.
sustainablelifeschool.com periodically offers earthbag building workshops.
Ongoing Workshops on Stonework
naturalstonesite.com is an unusual site offering a book, training courses in stonework, and various types of stones from Canada.
Ongoing Workshops on Wood
heartwoodschool.com the Heartwood Building School teaches classes in traditional timber framing.
foxmaple.com Fox Maple School of Traditional Building's Joiners' Quarterly
naturalhomes.org list workshops from around the world related to wood construction.
cordwoodmasonry.com Earthwood Building School teaches a Timber Framing for the Rest of Us workshop once a year in the Spring.
Ongoing Workshops on Earthen Materials
naturalbuildingschool.org has offered workshops on earthbag building, cob, and other techniques.
cobcottage site for The Cob Cottage Company features information and resources about building with cob.
earthenhand.com conducts workshops that involve earthbag building, mostly in the Northwestern US.
cobworkshops.org lists many workshops featuring cob in North America.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops from around the world.
guidingstarcreations.blogspot.com offers earthbag workshops around the world.
earthedworld.co.uk a fine, informative site about cob, listing workshops, forums, and an extensive photo gallery.
cobworks.com information, photos, workshops related to cob.
housealive.org This site is mostly focused on cob, and offers information and workshops that "empowers people to build affordable homes that are responsible and beautiful through the use of natural design and building techniques."
mudgirls.ca A women's cobbing cooperative in Canada that offers workshops, etc.
adobealliance.org Simone Swan's Adobe Alliance promotes earthen architecture, especially that inspired by the work of Hassan Fathy, through information and workshops.
eartharchitecture.org features information and sponsors workshops on all types of earth building.
sirewall.com and terrafirmabuilders specialize in insulated rammed earth, and offer workshops and information about this innovative approach to building.
nnmc.edu Northern New Mexico Community College at their El Rito Campus has a program of education about adobe constuction.
adobebuilding.com describes a unique system for molding stabilized adobe bricks...they also occasionally sponsor workshops.
proyectosanisidro.com conduct workshops on cob and strawbale in Tlaxco, Mexico, east of Mexico City.
earthenhand.com offers workshops in a variety of earthen media, both in the U.S. and abroad.
casamandala.weebly.com offers opportunities for learning about earthen architecture and natural building in Spain.
permastructure.com.au conducts earthbag workshops ion Australia.
unitedearthbuilders.com provides educational and charitable services in regard to environmentally sustainable, affordable, and structurally sound earthbag homes.
ulewatitlan.com provides workshops on earthbag building and accomodations at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
superadobedelsur.com located in Chile conducts earthbabg workshops throughout South America.
bambooschoolcostarica.com teaches about adobe and bamboo construction in Costa Rica.
sustainablelifeschool.com periodically offers earthbag building workshops.
thiscobhouse.com features tutorials, online classes and workshops for cob building.
Ongoing Workshops on Renewable Energy
solarenergy.org Solar Energy International on-line courses.
ownerbuilderbook.com information about the book, forums, workshops, etc.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops from around the world related to renewable energy.
Ongoing Workshops on Permaculture
ecowaters.org promotes workshops, sells plans, and provides information about graywater reuse, rainwater havesting, and compost toilets.
Permaculture Institute of Northern California discusses of what permaculture is all about and presents lots of workshops.
naturalhomes.org list workshops from around the world related to water conservation and permaculture.
ecosainstitute.org The ECOSA Institute offers summer workshops of one month each. One of these teaches Permaculture and water management, and provides academic and hands on experience in sustainable design and construction.
plenitudpr.org Plenitud is a research and educational organization focused on Permaculture and natural building. Workshops, trainings, and internships in diverse topics are offered regularly at the teaching center in Puerto Rico in both English and Spanish.
Intentional Communities with Workshops
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Missouri
Earthaven, North Carolina
Emerald Earth, California
The Farm, Tennessee
Huehuecoyotl, Tepoztlan, Mexico
The Lama Foundation, New Mexico
Lost Valley, Oregon
O.U.R. Ecovillage, British Columbia
Proyecto San Isidro, Tlascala, Mexico
Sirius Community, Massachusettes
White Oak Farm and Educational Center, Oregon
Red Earth Farms, Missouri
The Bosque Village, Michoacan, Mexico
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I specifically disclaim any warranty, either expressed or implied, concerning the information on these pages. Neither I nor any of the advisor/consultants associated with this site will have liability for loss, damage, or injury, resulting from the use of any information found on this, or any other page at this site. Kelly Hart, Hartworks LLC.
