Fee for Rice alumni: $155

As more homeowners seek to create a healthier environment for their families and put less of a burden on the environment, the “green movement” has quickly gained popularity in residential design and construction. This course will explore many ways to incorporate sustainability, environmental sensibility, energy efficiency and healthful living into a home-building project, providing a definition of terms as well as resources and methods for researching, specifying and certifying the project. Whether contemplating remodeling or new construction, you can readily influence the environmental footprint of your home and its long-term energy efficiency and durability by knowing the right methods of construction as well as the right materials, appliances and technologies to choose. A visit to a rehabilitation construction site will be scheduled.

Topics will include the following:

• Design and performance analysis of attics and crawlspaces
• Evaluating cost and benefit in construction materials and methods
• Making sustainability an affordable option
• New and promising technologies for your home
• Incorporating healthy living into your building project
• Making an old house green
• Green manufacturers, programs and associations

Instructors: Brent Nyquist, a principal in the firm Atticus Architecture, is a registered architect with more than 20 years of experience in residential design and construction. He holds bachelor of arts and bachelor of architecture degrees from Rice University.

Michael Strong is vice president of GreenHaus Builders which specializes in the construction of healthier, high-performance green homes. He is a Certified Graduate Remodeler™ and serves on the American National Standards Institute task force for green remodeling standards. He is a frequent speaker on remodeling issues and co-hosts the “Home Improvement Hotline” radio show in Houston. Mr. Strong just completed construction of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design pilot home in Houston.

Additional keywords: design, lifestyle, personal development, remodeling, self-help