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Develop Material Health Awareness and Strategies. Examine the role of designers and the intersection of human, environmental, and material health in the built world.
Instructors: Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP
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(45 reviews)
Recommended experience
Intermediate level
Recommended advanced or leadership level experience as a designer, contractor, or in a similar field
(45 reviews)
Recommended experience
Intermediate level
Recommended advanced or leadership level experience as a designer, contractor, or in a similar field
Examine the human health, environmental, and social impacts of design materials
Create healthier alternative approaches to traditional material selection processes and project execution
Evaluate design project communication to promote transparency, healthier materials, and buy-in
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In the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization, you learn about healthier building materials, exploring subjects ranging from classification of toxic chemicals to new green innovations. You start by investigating the intersection of building materials and human health. Then, you learn how chemistry and toxicology affect the built world. Next, you examine design specifications from a healthier materials perspective. Finally, you employ cutting-edge practices to execute a healthier materials project, from design to construction to the use phase. This specialization was developed by the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, a leading voice in the national and international dialogue about sustainability in the built environment.
Applied Learning Project
In each course in this specialization, you dive deeper into human health, healthier materials, and healthier approaches to project design. For each project, you research, analyze, and synthesize topics and participate in peer review, with the goal of sharing perspectives with fellow learners. You apply healthier materials approaches to research and the setup and execution of projects. Each project challenges your current thinking, encouraging you to apply a healthier materials approach and confront environmental challenges in a professional context.
Assess the human health impact of toxic chemicals in building materials
Evaluate the health impact of building materials using current methods and resources
Apply strategies for reducing the health and environmental impacts of building materials throughout their life cycles
Develop a scientific understanding of toxic chemicals in building materials and their impact on human health
Explore chemical innovations in healthier and more sustainable building materials
Apply strategies for reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the built environment
Shift from traditional design to a healthier materials design approach
Evaluate tools and resources for protecting human health
Apply strategies for choosing healthier materials
Analyze the role of contractors, subcontractors, and material procurement in the execution of a healthier project
Discuss the relationship between circular design and design innovation
Examine the capacity of material systems to contribute to a circular, low-carbon, regenerative, and equitable world
For more than a century, Parsons School of Design has been inspired by the transformative potential of design. Today, the school’s groundbreaking academic programs carry forward that mission, making Parsons the number one design school in the U.S. and among the top three globally. At the heart of a comprehensive university — The New School — Parsons draws on a range of academic fields to deliver a uniquely interdisciplinary education enriched by the resources of its home in New York City and branch campus in Paris. Here, the next generation of creative leaders engage in real-world learning and develop as critical thinkers and makers grappling with the pressing issues of our time.
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Time to completion will vary based on your schedule and individual pace. Most learners are able to complete the Specialization in 3-6 months.
In order to successfully complete the Specialization, it is recommended to have advanced or leadership level experience as a designer, contractor, or in a similar field.
If you are enrolled in the Specialization, we strongly recommend you follow the sequence of courses suggested to build upon your understanding of topics -- 1) Building Materials and Human Health, 2) Material Chemistry and Sustainable Building, 3) Sustainable Building: Design and Specification, and 4) Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy.
Participation in this online specialization is not for credit and does not constitute enrollment at the University. The certificate of completion does not confer a University grade, course credit or degree.
By the end of this specialization, you will be able to: 1) Understand the human health, environmental, and social impacts of design materials, 2) Create healthier alternative approaches to traditional material selection processes and project execution, and 3) Evaluate design project communication to promote transparency, healthier materials, and buy-in.
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
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