Topics in Sustainability

Understanding embodied carbon is essential to creating a truly sustainable built environment. This Topics in Sustainability course: Embodied Carbon and Climate-Smart Construction challenges students to rethink the impact of materials and construction through a design lens. The course explores how decisions made in early design stages affect carbon emissions across a building’s life cycle—from extraction and fabrication to construction and reuse. Students will engage with assessment tools, low-carbon materials, and regenerative strategies to develop climate-responsive design approaches. Through case studies, design analysis, and critical discussion, the course empowers emerging designers to lead with carbon literacy and shape climate-smart architectural futures.

Interested in a certificate program? This course is part of the Sustainable Design Certificate.