E 101
Basic Principles of Ecological Design
3 units
This course covers the primary reasons and arguments for the rapidly expanding ecological design movement. Textbook: The Ecological Design Handbook by Fred Stitt
E 102
Case studies in Ecological Design
3 units
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
3 units
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
3 units
Solar energy has many aspects: active and passive systems, hydronic and air systems, and photovoltaic systems. This course introduces their histories and applications. Textbook: Power From the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity, by Daniel D. Chiras
E 105
Building Energy Systems
3 units
This course is an 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 & Building Retrofit Systems
3 units
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 & Bioremediation
3 units
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
3 units
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
3 units
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
E 110
Great Ideas In Eco Design
3 units
This is a reading seminar review of the leading books in Ecological Design. Readings are assigned each week, and students provide written checklist summaries of their readings and participate in discussions of the most important points of each book. This is an enjoyable and effective way to learn and fully understand the most significant and influential concepts of ecological design. Books include: Biomimicry, Cradle to Cradle, Design with Nature, Natural Capitalism, and others of the students’ choosing.
