D1
Studio Creative Design & Nature Based Architecture
5 units
Instructor: Fred Stitt, Architect, Director, SFIA
This core course shows how to create extraordinary buildings — buildings wholly integrated with the needs of the users, with the site, and within themselves as works of art. The creative design process is extremely well understood, thanks to the testimonies of generations of the world’s most creative architects. This class will focus on how to use natural creative skills, experiment with them, and evolve and maximize your inherent and original design abilities. Free-ranging exploration and experimentation are strongly encouraged.
E20
Universal Green Work Study
3 units
Full participation in research projects is required.
Instructor: Fred Stitt, Architect, Director, SFIA
Discover the world’s greatest educational resources for green building, and help make that information available world wide. This course will teach systematic research methods, creative problem solving, and information management, in the world’s most important emerging industry. This is a work-study course that will create the core database for the SFIA Universal Green program of freely accessible green education for everyone. Excellent preparation for administration, database management, and/or teaching.
D13
Freehand Drawing & Nature Drawing
3 units
Instructor: Ann Parenti, artist
Anyone can learn to draw, and draw well. But there are tricks to it. This class follows the groundbreaking techniques of Betty Edwards and her books: The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook.
E150
Solar Power
3 units
Instructor: Jerry Caldwell, Senior Project Engineer, Recurrent Energy
The sun is likely to become a dominant source of electrical energy in our time. This course includes: The history of solar power, design methods, technology, installation, and case studies. How solar panels work. Planning and installing solar systems in new and existing buildings. Best practices for keeping costs down without sacrificing quality. Architectural integration of solar panels. Drawings required for permitting and construction. A comprehensive “how-to” overview of one of today’s most effective and well-tested solutions to the world’s energy and petroleum problems.
E31
How To Uncover The Secrets Of The Land
3 units
Instructor: Dave Deppen, Architect
Dave Deppen has worked with pioneering Eco Design luminaries such as Malcolm Wells and Sim Van der Ryn. He has pioneered an extraordinary nature-sensitive approach to fully understanding and working with site, sun, and climate conditions of any location. This class also includes the bonus of a wealth of background on Bay Area history, climate, biology, and ecology. Note: Spring is an ideal season to take this course. Topics include:
• Comprehensive methods for understanding and working with land.
• How to fully understand and “feel” solar orientation.
• Learning from the history of the land.
• Raising your capacity for conscious awareness and observation.
• Methods of Native trackers.
• How to interview and learn from those who know your building site best.
• Finding and using little-known, invaluable sources of site information.
D61
The Nature Of Order Seminar
3 units
Instructor: Dave Deppen, Architect
Dave Deppen has studied and worked with the concepts of Christopher Alexander for over 30 years. In this first ever, experimental SFIA course, we will dive into Christopher Alexander’s landmark publication, The Nature of Order, Volume One: The Phenomenon of Life. This course is a graduate-level reading, discussion and exploration seminar. It is open to anyone with an open heart and inquiring mind. By the end of this course students will have powerful and practical new skills for creating beautiful places. Required text: The Nature of Order, Volume One: The Phenomenon of Life. This is a lifetime investment. Please bring book to the first class
• Timeless attributes of space, nature and design.
• Scientific and intuitive perspectives on beauty.
• The Fifteen Fundamental Properties.
• Methods for determining the degree of life in a design.
• Function and ornament.
• The interrelated roles of objectivity and feeling in your design work.
E144
Bamboo Design & Construction
Bamboo Relief Shelter Design Studio
3 units
Instructors: Marisha Farnsworth & Tomas Rettenwender
Bamboo, the world’s fastest growing plant, is a renewable resource that can bioremediate air and soil, treat wastewater, provide a reliable food source, and has potential as a local building material almost anywhere in the world. The Red Cross estimates that an average of 211 million people are affected by disaster every year, and with climate change impending, that number is anticipated to rise. In this course students will design bamboo structures that are easily erected and transported, for rapid response to emergencies. Class objectives: Learn how to use bamboo as a building material and apply this knowledge to the design of bamboo structures. Students will analyze and investigate how bamboo can be used in today’s building industry, offering a counterpoint to modern industrial practices.
C22
SketchUp 3-D Modeling & Design Process
3 units
Instructor: Dave Weir, SFIA SketchUp expert
SketchUp is the easiest-to-use and most versatile 3-D software for Mac and PC. SketchUp can produce terrific drawings quickly, for beginners and experts alike. This course will teach the best techniques for using the software and how to integrate it into your design process, from concept sketch to rendering to construction detailing. Bring your own laptop and a downloaded copy of SketchUp from www.SketchUp.com.
