Green Building and Sustainable Design Diploma

This course provides students with a critical introduction to sustainable design and development with an emphasis on the built environment. Students will examine environmental impacts driven by building construction processes, and discuss the benefits and practical challenges of implementing more sustainable measures at various scales. Students will furthermore discuss the professional role and responsibility of building design professionals in relation to environmental issues.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.

This course provides students with the fundamentals of computer operation, file management, and basic mathematics. Major topics include keyboarding skills, Microsoft Word document formatting, Excel spreadsheet creation, linear algebra, quadratic equations, trigonometry, and geometry.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.

This course provides student with the fundamental skills of computer aided design and drafting techniques by using the AutoCAD software. Students learn essential AutoCAD techniques that are being used in engineering and building-design professions. Utilizing high-end computer tools, students learn how to create drawings in 2-dimensional drawings as well as basic 3-dimensional models.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: none.

Technical communication skills are required in service, business, and technical working environments. This course focuses on verbal, writing, and presentation skills within the scope of architecture and engineering. Students will learn how to produce technical report documents and present their project drawings effectively.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.

This course will instruct students in British Columbia Building Code and city zoning bylaw standards. Major topics include code interpretation, building zoning, aspects of residential building design specifications, fire protection, occupant safety, accessibility, wood-framed structural design standards, and other professional practices which may affect the design and construction of a building. Students will also learn to create a full set of residential building drawings by using AutoCAD.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.

This course provides students with instruction in advanced level AutoCAD commands and drawing management techniques. Students will learn project-orientated drafting and design skills, with an emphasis placed on scaled 2-dimensional engineering and architectural project drawing in model and paper space layout environments. Students will also learn 3-dimensional tools to create 3D wireframe, surface and solid models.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.

This course provides students with a foundation in contemporary building design skills. Core topics include site planning theory, aesthetics, introduction to structural design, open space planning, and retrofit design skills for residential and commercial buildings. Students will also be introduced to a systematic methodology for creative problem-solving that involves analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and resolution. Emphasis is placed on zoning by-laws and their impact on building use, size, and location on a site.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

This course teaches students how to use the parametric Building Information Modeling (BIM) program, Revit. Students will use Revit® Architecture to create 3-dimensional building models and the tools for building design and documentation. Students will begin the course by learning the fundamental features of Revit and progress through design modeling to drawing production. Major topics include project setup techniques, modeling of basic building structures, wall type selection, roof design, interior design, customization of 3D components, site topography creation, annotation techniques, schedule, mechanical building features, 3D walkthrough, rendering, and sheet production. Students will have the opportunity to work on several types of building projects (commercial, residential as well as site) throughout the course.

Duration: 80 hours, 4 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

This course teaches advanced building science concepts, with a focus on the principles of heat, air, and moisture transfer, and envelope protection in buildings. Major topics include envelope design with respect to building structure, envelope protection, surface heat and mass transfer coefficients, solar-air temperature, thermal moisture storage and condensation due to vapor and airflow, building envelope details pertaining to moisture, air, and heat management (with the specific focus on the building envelope control layers), including spray foam insulations, ventilation and rainscreen, and an overview of relevant Building Codes and Standards.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

This course will equip students with knowledge and skills to evaluate the energy performance and potential energy savings for homes during the design, construction, and renovation stages. Students will learn to use the energy rating system to analyze energy data for buildings. Topics include: building performance analysis, energy literacy and building loads, climate and weather analysis, solar measurements and strategies, wind and airflow strategies, data collection, testing methods and energy conservation solution.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

This course will explore the technical, economic, and policy elements of Passive House buildings and building standards, and other locally-relevant high performance-related building code, standards, and development. Topics include: The Passive House Building Standard, BC Energy Step Code, Canada’s National Building Strategy, Vancouver’s Zero Emissions Building Plan, and the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standard. Students will study why and how these standards leverage building architecture to minimize energy consumption and improve thermal comfort and overall livability.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: ARC200, ARC300.

This course will equip students with the tools they need to prepare for the LEED Green Associate Exam. Students are highly encouraged to take the LEED Green Associate Exam upon completion of the course, as a LEED Green Associate credential can increase opportunities for reemployment, job stability, and promotion, while emphasizing one’s value to project teams and sustainability projects.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: ARC200.

This course will help students develop their skills in setting up the LEED® Integrated Design Process and in using LEED® specific technical skills to complete and evaluate LEED® credit calculations. Topics include: Minimum Project Requirements (MPRs) for LEED certification registration, selecting the appropriate LEED Rating System based on project scope, and the use of the Integrated Design Process (IDP). The course will also cover the importance of establishing the LEED project boundary and common terms and acronyms.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: ARC200, LEE100.

This course helps students prepare a working portfolio, which will assist them in presenting themselves during interviews or seminars. Students will produce a portfolio showcasing their abilities in computer-aided design and engineering and architectural 2D drawings and 3D models. Students also will practice interview skills and learn how to prepare their resume.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

The student will have the opportunity to integrate theory and skills learnt during the program with practical situation from the real world of business. The purpose is to obtain relevant field experience prior to graduation and identify strengths prior to embarking on a new, exciting career.

Duration: 150 hours, 4 weeks.