Sustainable Architectural Design (Formerly Green Architecture)
Pursue a career that advances sustainability in our built environment.
- Complete Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) courses in prep to write Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate (GA) exam toward LEED (GA) credential
- In the face of climate change, the field of green architecture and sustainability is gaining increasing importance showing a need for people who specialize in this field
- All classes are taught in the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) facility; fully outfitted with up-to-date equipment and a living lab to see theory in practice
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Open
Closed
Waitlisted
Start Term
Availability
International
Availability
Competitive?
Fall 2025
No
Schedule
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Program Summary
Credential
Program Delivery
Program Code
Area of Interest
School
Campus
Work Integrated Learning
In the one-year Sustainable Architectural Design Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, you develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to become a leader in sustainable building design. In the face of climate change, this program advances your knowledge of building design, technology and construction with a range of design strategies that reduce the carbon footprint.
Learn how to design healthy, liveable, and environmentally responsible buildings, aligning with Canadian construction methods and building codes. Design strategies learned in this program include sustainable site development, managing material resources, and conservation of energy and water. Study sustainable practices that will help mitigate the current climate crisis....(read more)
Overview
Pursue a career that advances sustainability in our built environment.
In the one-year Sustainable Architectural Design Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, you develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to become a leader in sustainable building design. In the face of climate change, this program advances your knowledge of building design, technology and construction with a range of design strategies that reduce the carbon footprint.
Learn how to design healthy, liveable, and environmentally responsible buildings, aligning with Canadian construction methods and building codes. Design strategies learned in this program include sustainable site development, managing material resources, and conservation of energy and water. Study sustainable practices that will help mitigate the current climate crisis.
During the program, you complete Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) courses which help prepare you to write the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate (GA) exam, which is sought-after by many employers. The program provides opportunities for you to participate in student design competitions, design charrettes and client projects that challenge your knowledge and experience.
Throughout the program, you may apply your knowledge to a sustainable design project with a client in the industry. Once completed, you present your project to the client and a panel of sustainable design professionals.
Graduates are able to evaluate sustainable design practices and apply them to building construction projects. Graduates may be employed in a variety of fields and may be hired by:
- architects
- engineers
- sustainable building consultants
- contractors
- municipal, provincial or federal government offices
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Want to contribute to significant improvements in the environmental, social and economic performance of our buildings.
- Are interested in building their careers in building design, technology, and construction.
- Enjoy an applied approach to learning about how sustainable buildings are designed, constructed and used.
Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Code:
ARC1510
Course Name:
Sustainable Design Studio 1
Course Description:
Based on United Nations studies, buildings and the construction sector account for more than a third of energy demand and CO2 emissions annu... + Read More
Hours:
56.0
Code:
ARC1512
Course Name:
Site Assessment and Analysis
Course Description:
Making the most of sustainable building opportunities requires a thorough assessment and analysis of the site under consideration. Be it a n... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ARC1513
Course Name:
Project Documentation and Presentation Skills
Course Description:
Communication of an architectural project helps all parties to understand its value. Students develop skills in communicating technical inf... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ARC1514
Course Name:
Sustainable Methods and Materials 1
Course Description:
In order to develop sustainable solutions to combat climate change, students must first learn the basics of Canadian Wood Frame Construction... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ARC1515
Course Name:
Introduction to Sustainable Project Management
Course Description:
As architectural projects involve a wide array of disciplines, systems, materials and equipment, the ability to manage and coordinate variou... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
BSC8456
Course Name:
Renewable Energy Design
Course Description:
Renewable energy systems are a rapidly evolving component of sustainable building design. Students explore the basics of electricity, power ... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
CAD8480
Course Name:
Building Modeling 1
Course Description:
Digital 3D modeling is an important tool in sustainable building design. Students use creation and editing commands in a variety of hands-on... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ARC1520G
Course Name:
Sustainable Design Studio 2
Course Description:
Sustainable architectural design plays a vital role in the reduction of CO2 emissions in the construction sector. Working in teams, students... + Read More
Hours:
98.0
Code:
ARC1521
Course Name:
Sustainable Project Management and Costing
Course Description:
Project management and project costing are essential to the economic success of a sustainable construction project. Students review economic... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ARC1523
Course Name:
Standards and Accreditation
Course Description:
Global certification and accreditation programs are evolving continuously as the construction industry matures. Through lectures, discussion... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ARC1524
Course Name:
Sustainable Methods and Materials 2
Course Description:
An understanding of advanced construction methods and building systems is required to develop sustainable solutions to combat climate change... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
BSC1520
Course Name:
Healthy Buildings
Course Description:
We spend most of our lives inside buildings, so it is vital that we create indoor environments that foster good health and well-being. Stude... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
CAD8481
Course Name:
Building Modeling 2
Course Description:
Analyzing the performance of a building is vital to measuring the sustainability of the project. Further developing building information mod... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may find employment with architects, engineers, green building consultants and contractors. Opportunities also exist in municipal, provincial and federal government offices concerned with building design and construction, real estate and facilities management.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Research, analyze and apply technical data from diverse sources to architectural projects using sustainable design principles.
- Communicate technical information effectively and accurately in a variety of modes.
- Provide leadership in the planning, design and implementation of architectural projects using sustainable design principles.
- Use industry-specific technology to support sustainable architectural design.
- Analyze and solve technical problems related to sustainable design projects using the principles of mathematics and science.
- Integrate civil, mechanical, structural and electrical disciplines into projects using sustainable design principles.
- Apply Canadian standards and regulations for construction to sustainable architectural design.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.
2024/2025 Academic Year
Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.
Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.
Fees are subject to change.
Additional program related expenses include:
- Books, supplies and colour printing cost approximately $1,400 for the entire program.
- See www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials for more information about books.
Admissions Requirements
Program Eligibility
- Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent in a related field, such as Architecture, Architectural Technology or Building Engineering Technology.
- Applicants are also required to submit a resume and a portfolio of their Architectural work (in PDF format) which demonstrates knowledge and skills in the following four areas:
- Architectural building design fundamentals (site planning, floor planning, massing, and working with a building program).
- Architectural drawing skills, both by hand and using Architectural computer software such as AutoCAD and Revit Architecture.
- Fundamental knowledge of building science, materials, technology and systems (architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical).
- Fundamental knowledge of local building codes and regulations.
- Applicants without the required diploma or degree will be assessed individually and will be required to complete an Eligibility Package.
- Eligibility package submission details can be found on the Algonquin College Additional Admission Requirements website: www.algonquincollege.com/admissionspackages.
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
Application Information
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN (FORMERLY GREEN ARCHITECTURE)
Program Code 1501X01FWO
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
Note: International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Avenue
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro