Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals are asked to make informed materials decisions on an almost-daily basis – decisions which call for a foundational understanding of how those materials are made and their potential impact on the building’s health, sustainability and resiliency. This course will help architects, engineers, designers, and contractors navigate the complexity of materials selection by providing an overview of the role of chemistry in enhancing the product and building performance. The course will provide a review of key methodologies for measuring benefits and relevant information to help inform product selection. Further, it will provide a primer on how chemicals are regulated in the marketplace.


Learning Objectives

  • Understand the role of chemistry in material science and its role in building and construction, specifically in terms of sustainability, resiliency, material cost and energy efficiency.
  • Examine the role of chemistry in design and construction and the ways in which they can contribute to sustainability, resiliency and performance.
  • Analyze common methods by which materials are chosen, including single versus multiple attribute consideration, life cycle approaches, and environmental product declarations.
  • Understand existing regulatory and risk frameworks for chemical assessment.

Pre-requisite: Basic knowledge of building materials.