Foundations of Green Remodeling

This unit introduces core principles and practical considerations of green building and remodeling, covering life-cycle thinking, alternative materials and systems, energy and water conservation, site orientation, cost perspectives, and project team roles. Students will learn to evaluate options, set priorities, and produce a preliminary green remodeling plan that prepares them for the more technical design and implementation units that follow.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and compare environmental, health, and life-cycle impacts of common building materials and finishes (including traditional finishes, engineered lumber, straw bale, SIPs, and adobe) using established assessment criteria to rank options for a remodeling scenario.
• Evaluate passive design, mechanical, and water-conservation strategies (site placement, solar orientation, efficient appliances, and plumbing fixtures) and estimate their potential energy and water savings for a representative home.
• Apply cost-estimating and prioritization methods to develop a preliminary green remodeling plan that defines project goals, a prioritized scope of work, estimated costs, and sources for locating green materials and products.
• Demonstrate the ability to assemble and describe a project team by identifying necessary professionals and trades, their roles, and relevant safety/health risks from hidden materials and traditional finishes to inform project planning.