Careers and Courses for Eco Build

Learning about green building techniques, and ways to make construction more environmentally friendly, are becoming much more common and easily available through a series of courses and workshops across the UK.

As many people in all walks of life and professions are waking up to the call to be more environmental focused, experts and professionals are encouraging everyone to green both their life, and their business.

In the field of architecture, design and construction, techniques to make a design and the finished building more environmentally friendly have been known for many years, and through research into the history of design, these techniques can be shared and made examples of.

Taking Courses in Green Building

Deciding to take a course in green building and environmentally friendly design is a personal decision. Taking a look at buildings in the area in which you live is a good first step, as is buying a book on green building or sustainable building, or talking to any friends who work as architects.

Getting a basic understanding of what makes a building or the materials it is made from green is the first step. It is a good idea to develop some basic architectural and perhaps some construction knowledge before embarking on a long course of study.

Most architectural degrees in the UK are 7 years: most university courses will have a green building component within them. It is usually preferable for individuals to take short sample courses or workshops before committing to a long period of study.

Workshops, both short term and of medium length, in green building design and techniques, are proliferating across the UK to meet the rise in interest. These workshops take place in community colleges, community centres, farms, and specialised design practices. Good places to learn about such workshops and courses are in local libraries, in newspapers, or on the Internet.

What Makes Design Environmental ?

A good course for serious students of green and sustainable building will look at all elements of design and construction – from the initial appraisal of a clients needs, to an analysis of the potential building site and its surrounding area, through to sustainable and renewable building materials, right through to the latest green technologies, such as water saving devices and renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar power.

There is much to consider in the process, both at the discussion and design stage, and later at the construction stage, so serious students of this discipline should take time to research the marketplace and their options before committing to a course and a career in this field.

Check that the tutor or team of tutors have qualifications and experience in this field before committing. Ask to see a course prospectus before paying any deposit. Courses in this specialised field that actually take students to visit green buildings are crucial: a hands on approach to green building is needed from the start, and inspecting a so-called green building, or a building that is sustainable, is more valuable that reading about it or seeing an audio-visual presentation.