Green Building: Natural Finishes & Renewable Energy - 500 Hour Course
Includes 4 (40 Hour Interactive Online Learning) University of Arizona CEUs (File #1978)
Enrollment is continuous and the course is self-paced.
This course provides a comprehensive background on the history of natural finishes used traditionally by Indigenous and Native people across the globe. The lessons provide general information on natural building techniques, from ancient to current times. Adobe building, and specifically techniques in adobe derived and naturally compatible finishes, will be highlighted. Adobe is an ancient building material which fundamentally utilizes local mud, clay, sand and/or straw, and sometimes other natural ingredients, then formulated by hand into bricks, and sun dried for building construction. Adobe building has existed for thousands of years, consisting of many ancient monuments that are still standing today.
There are a plethora of health benefits as a result of natural building construction and from the use of natural finishes. The health benefits range from environmental, psychological, physical, and emotional wellness. The use of local natural material reduces pollution caused from industrialized processes. Scientific research has documented the reduction in indoor air pollution, mold reduction, temperature control, and a reduction in EMF (electromagnetic field) pollution inside of earthen buildings or conventional building with earthen finishes.
The course also details various renewable energy solutions to natural building. The lesson entails solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectric energy options as natural building renewable energy solutions to power your building, off-setting the buildings CO2 emissions.
This course includes instruction on how to harvest and formulate natural earthen material for interior home/building finishes. Regardless of rather your home is constructed with earthen material or current conventional construction, there are tremendous health benefits from the use of indoor natural finishes.
Course Subjects:
History of Earthen Building
Indigenous Earthen Building Practices
Environmental Benefits of Natural Building
Health Benefits of Natural Finishes
Locally Sourcing Earthen Material for Natural Finishes
Formulating Natural Finishes
Natural Finishes - Applications
Solar Energy
Wind Energy
Hydroelectric Energy
For successful completion of the course, the student must complete live online video workshops, required readings, lesson assignments, and submit a presentation using PowerPoint, word or a similar format.
The student’s assignments must be electronically submitted. The final presentation must consist of simulated sessions, based on the course material.
Academic Pre-requisite: High School Diploma
Technical Requirements: High speed internet to complete the required live online video (Zoom) course attendance.
*Students must obtain the required books. Required books do not accompany the course.
INTRODUCTORY COURSE FEE: Distance Learning Course Fee (can be paid in full): $6999 (includes registration fee)
Monthly Payment Plan: Equal payments per month, over 10 months. (Course lessons will be distributed over the duration of the payment.)
4 CEUs are available through the University of Arizona office of Continuing & Professional Education.
University of Arizona CEU Fee (Paid Directly to the University: $25
The University of Arizona CEU transcript form will be provided to the student upon course completion.
Cost: 6999