COURSES

• E 101 - Basic Principles of Ecological Design

This course covers the primary reasons and

arguments for the rapidly expanding ecological

design movement.

Textbook:

The Ecological Design Handbook (chapters 1-10),
by Fred Stitt, editor

• E 102 - Case studies in Ecological Design

Biographical reports on the work of the original

instigators and practitioners of contemporary

ecological design.

Textbook:

Design Outlaws on the Ecological Frontier,
by Chris Zelov

• E 103 - Alternative Materials and Construction

This course explains what "alternative" materials

are, in the context of ecological design, their

characteristics and best uses.

Textbook:

Alternative Construction:
Contemporary Natural Building Methods,
by Lynne Elizabeth

Alternative textbook for those students who are
mainly concerned with single-family home design:

The New Natural House Book,
by David Pearson

• E 104 - Solar Energy Systems

Solar energy has many aspects: active and

passive systems, hydronic and air systems,

and photovoltaic. This course introduces

their histories and applications.

Textbook:

Solar Power:
The Evolution of Sustainable Architecture,
by Sophia Behling, et al

• E-105 - Building Energy Systems

In-depth study of the integration of land,

architecture, sun, and climate. The textbook

is a classic in its field.

Textbook:

Sun, Wind and Light,
by G. Z. Brown

• E 106 - Energy Conservation and Building Retrofit   Systems

A course on the latest applications of solar

energy systems, as introduced by one of the

solar energy industry's leading pioneers.

Textbook:

Real Goods Solar Living Source Book,
by John Schaeffer, editor

• E 107 - Permaculture and Bioremediation

Permaculture is the most rapidly growing

aspect of ecological agriculture, and

bioremediation promises to revolutionize

waste water and sewage treatment around

the world. This course reviews permaculture

as practiced and taught by the world's leading

authority on the subject.

Textbook:

Introduction to Permaculture,
by B. C. Mollison

• E 108 - Landscape Architecture and Plantscaping

Landscaping used to be an arbitrary exercise

in "arranging" flowers and shrubs. Now it has

taken on a new life as a major part of the

ecological design movement. This course

reviews the essentials of natural landscaping

and why they are so important.

Textbook:

Energy-Efficient and Environmental Landscaping,
by Anne Simon Moffat and Marc Schiler

• E 109 - Pattern in Nature

The greatest buildings of all times are

designed according to nature-based principles

of proportion and composition. This course

explains the natural origins and geometries

of aesthetics in architecture.

Textbook:

The Self-Made Tapestry:
Pattern Formation in Nature,
by Philip Ball

You can take substitute courses in Program One. You can choose up to three of the elective courses listed below under Program Two as substitutes for any courses listed in Program One.

COURSES

• E 201 - Advanced Principles of Ecological Design

This course reviews the many technologies of

ecological design and how to integrate them to

get the best results.

Textbook:

Design for Sustainability: A Sourcebook of
Integrated, Eco-logical Solutions,
by Janis Birkeland

• E 202 - Case studies in Ecological Design and Bioclimatic    Architecture

Buildings of all sizes and types are now being

reconsidered in terms of how they provide

natural air flow, daylighting, solar heating, and

other natural means of meeting human needs.

This course reviews the possibilities, with

many case study examples.

Textbook:

Big and Green: Toward Sustainable Architecture
in the 21st Century,
by David Gissen

Students who want to focus on residential or other
small-scale projects can use the optional textbook below:

Green by Design: Creating a Home for
Sustainable Living,
by Angela Dean

• E 203 - Alternative Materials, Construction, and   Engineering

Old and new materials are being produced

and used in new, nature-sensitive ways, and

they're greatly enlarging the choices available

to designers. This course describes materials,

their characteristics, and how to use them

intelligently, economically, and safely.

Textbook:

The Alternative Building Sourcebook:
Traditional, Natural and Sustainable Building
Products and Services,
by Steve K. Chappell, et al

Students who want to focus on residential or other
small-scale projects can use the optional textbook below:

Buildings of Earth and Straw: Structural Design
for Rammed Earth and Straw Bale Architecture,
by Bruce King

• E 204 - Solar Energy and Wind Systems

This course deals with the options of alternative

energy systems and how to make the right choice

for each design situation.

Textbook:

Power With Nature:
Solar and Wind Energy Demystified,
by Rex A. Ewing

• E 205 - Building Lighting Systems

Well-designed daylighting saves enormous

amounts of energy and improves the well-being

of building occupants. This course covers

the basics.

Textbook:

Concepts and Practice of Architectural Daylighting,
by Fuller Moore

• E 206 - Indoor Air Quality

When city indoor air pollution reaches levels six

times that of outdoor pollution, we know we have a

problem. This course deals with the problems and

the solutions.

Textbook:

Indoor Environmental Quality,
by Thad Godish

• E 207 - Advanced Permaculture and Bioremediation

This course, based on the work of pioneers Jack

and Nancy Todd, deals with the origins of alternative

waste systems that promise to revolutionize sewage

treatment.

Textbook:

From Eco-Cities to Living Machines,
by Nancy and Jack Todd

• E 208 - Site Analysis

Buildings and communities begin with their sites.

If sites are poorly chosen and improperly modified

or managed, the problems go on forever. This

course shows how to avoid the worst problems

and work with the land as the starting point

and essential component of all construction.

Textbook:

Site Analysis: Linking Program and Concept in
Land Planning and Design,
by James A. LaGro

• E 209 - Patterns of Organic Architecture

This course focuses on the source of 20th

Century organic and ecological architecture

and how it achieved its finest expression in

the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Textbooks:

A Testament,
by Frank Lloyd Wright

and

An American Architecture,
by Frank Lloyd Wright

• E 210 - Underground and Earth-Sheltered Construction

This course shows a way to build that

minimizes visual impact on the land, provides

natural insulation and protection, and creates

comfortable and economical environments.

Textbooks:

Gentle Architecture (for a general overview),
by Malcolm Wells

and

Recovering America: A More Gentle Way to Build,
by Malcolm Wells

or

Underground Building Design:
Commercial and Institutional Structures
by John Carmody and Raymond Sterling

• E 211 - Ecological Land Planning and Real Estate   Development

A new generation of real estate developers

is looking for ways to enhance the environment

for human needs in new or remodeled

construction. This course reviews much of the

best thinking in the field.

Textbook:

Green Development:
Integrating Ecology and Real Estate,
by Alex Wilson, et al

• E 212 - Recycled Construction Materials

Recycling in construction is relatively new,

and the theories and practices are still a work

in progress. This course provides the

best of the current state of the art and its

implications for the future of materials

manufacture and use on the construction site.

Textbook:

Ecology of Building Materials,
by Bjorn Berge and Filip Henley

• E 213 - Buckminster Fuller's Design and
  Construction Methods

This course provides insight into the thinking

of one of the most creative and prolific

architectural and engineering thinkers of

the 20th century.

Textbook:

Bucky Works: Buckminster Fuller's Ideas for Today,
by J. Baldwin

• E-214 - Wind Energy Systems

Wind isn't free, but in some locations it's the

most reliable source of alternative energy.

This course provides the basics in small

wind energy systems for single buildings.

Textbook:

Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and
Micro Wind Systems,
by Paul Gipe and Karen Perenz

• E 215 - Energy-Saving Retrofit Systems

The greatest opportunities for energy savings

and environmental improvement can be found

in our enormous stock of existing buildings.

This course covers the best of current retrofit

design and technology.

Textbook:

Retrofitting for Energy Conservation,
by William H. Clark

• E 216 - Toxic Materials and Healthy Environments

Air quality is one issue, but current construction

practices use large numbers and combinations

of toxic materials. This course describes how

to prevent the toxins and design buildings

that can actually enhance human health.

Textbook:

Staying Well in a Toxic World:
Understanding Environmental Illness, Multiple
Chemical Sensitivities, Chemical Injuries, and
Sick Building Syndrome,
by Lynn Lawson

Alternative textbook for students who want to focus on residential or other small-scale projects:

The Healthy House: How to Buy One, How to Build One, How to Cure a Sick One,
by John Bower

COURSES

• E 301 - History of Ecological Sciences

Ecological design and environmental science

have a long history, including the evolution of

indigenous architectures. This course reviews

the big picture.

Textbook:

The Timeless Way of Building,
by Christopher Alexander

• E 302 - Case studies in Ecological Design and
  Land Planning

This course explains the steps and multiple

considerations involved in methodical and

environmentally-sensitive site planning.

Textbook:

Environmental Planning for Site Development,
by Anne R. Beer

 

• E 303 - Indigenous Peoples' Building Methods
  and Materials

This course shows how architectural problems

have been solved over millennia, through trial

and error, and humanity's universal desire to

build in harmony with nature.

Textbook:

Native American Architecture,
by Peter Nabokov and Robert Easton

or

Architecture without Architects:
A Short Introduction to Nonpedigree Architecture,
by Bernard Rudofsky

• E 304 - Advanced Integrated Bioclimatic Design

This course deals with the design and technology

of climate-sensitive architecture, as practiced

by Ken Yeang, the leader in the field.

Textbook:

Ecodesign: A Manual for Ecological Design,
by Ken Yeang

 

• E 305 - Alternative Lighting and Energy Systems

Artificial light can be eliminated in the daytime,

and nighttime lighting can be designed far more

economically than has been common in the past.

This course deals with artificial systems and

how to best integrate them with natural light.

Textbook:

Lighting Modern Buildings,
by Derek Phillips

• E 306 - Building Energy Management (change of course title)

A course on design and technology for integrating

diverse energy and ventilation systems in more

complex buildings.

Textbook:

Building Energy Management Systems:
Application to Low-Energy HVAC and
Natural Ventilation Control,
by G. J. Levermore

 

• E 307 - Urban Ecology

This course is an overview of worldwide urban

ecological problems and solutions.

Textbook:

Cities for a Small Planet,
by Richard Rogers and Philip Gumuchdjian

• E 308 - Exterior and Interior Plantscaping

A course on the complete integration of plants,

planting systems, and natural and human-made

ecosystems.

Textbook:

Design for Human Ecosystems: Landscape,
Land Use, and Natural Resources,
by John Tillman Lyle and Joan Woodward

• E 309 - Organizing Principle and Nature-Based
  Architecture

A course on the fundamentals of making and

experiencing Organic architecture.

Textbook:

Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis
for Design,
by Eugene Tsui

or

Architecture as space: How to Look at Architecture,
by Bruno Zevi

• E 310 - Advanced Technology and New Materials

This course deals with new technology and new

applications of centuries-old, nature-sensitive

construction methods.

Textbook:

Construction Ecology:
Nature as a Basis for Green Buildings,
by Jan Sendzimir, et al

• E 311 - Co-housing and Other Alternative Living Systems

Co-housing, the sharing of land and resources by

groups of individuals and families, can be an

economical alternative lifestyle that also serves

ecological values. Such values can be applied

to community planning of all sizes. This course

reviews the history and current status of such

projects.

Textbook:

Sustainable Housing: Principles & Practice,
by Brian Edwards and David Turrent

or

Recreating the World: A Practical Guide to Building
Sustainable Communities,
by Michael Bopp and Judie Bopp

 

• E 320 - Student-Initiated Independent Study
  and Thesis Project

(Required. 6 units.)

Copy the form below, fill in the required information, and E-mail, fax, or mail it, or call the Information Office to enroll (see below).

Date of enrollment:

Please enroll me in the course(s) I've listed below
($300 U.S. per course):

Name:

Address:

City:

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Zip:

E-mail address:

Daytime Land Phone:

Evening Land Phone:

Cell Phone:

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__ I am paying by check or money order (payable to SFIA).

__ I am wiring funds; (International Student) please E-mail wiring instructions.

__ I am paying by Visa or MasterCard:

Card number:

Expiration date:

Cardholder's full name:

__ New student

__ Current/previous student

Degree Candidate for:

__ Associate of Arts Degree and Technical Certificate
in Ecological Design (36 units)

__ Bachelor of Science in Ecological Design Degree (54 units)

__ Master of Ecological Design Degree (75 units)

__ I'm not a degree candidate at this time.

Note: Students can change candidacy at any time.

See "Architecture Design Distance Learning" at
www.sfia.net for unit requirements for architecture
degree programs.