1.25 LU | HSW
Carbon-Smart Buildings & Materials
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- Program Level
- Introductory
- Prerequisites
- None
- Advanced Prep
- None
Learning Objectives
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Learning Objective 1
Apply carbon-smart design principles to real-world projects: design with flexibility, prioritizing component-specific strategies, and selecting materials that work with—rather than against—the natural carbon cycle.
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Learning Objective 2
Identify high-impact building materials that should be prioritized for carbon reduction in design projects and assess emerging biomaterials and agricultural waste products that can function as replacements.
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Learning Objective 3
Evaluate building components based on their expected lifespans (furnishings, interiors, services, skin, and structure) to prioritize carbon reduction strategies.
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Learning Objective 4
Explain how the building industry disrupts the natural carbon cycle through material extraction, manufacturing, and disposal, and how this disruption contributes to climate change.
Course preview
Our continuing education courses keep you focused on what matters most in architecture and design. Achieve more with continuing education that blends trusted expertise with real world application.
Carbon-Smart Buildings and Materials helps architects rethink carbon and buildings, shifting from goals for reduction to altogether new opportunities. By examining the full lifecycle of materials, participants will understand how climate change reflects a design failure in the natural carbon cycle—and how architects can restore balance. The course explores why materials matter: their role as scarce natural resources, their high production energy, and their contribution to global waste (50% worldwide). Participants will learn about embodied versus operational carbon, and understanding why embodied carbon—locked in from day one—will represent 57% of a new building's emissions by 2040. The course offers practical strategies for identifying and replacing high-impact materials, reading EPDs, designing for component lifespans, and exploring next-generation solutions like plant-based materials, carbon sequestering technologies, material reuse, and biomaterials that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Refund Policy
Refund Policy
If you are not satisfied with your continuing education purchase, request a full refund within 30 days of enrollment before a certificate of completion is issued.
Cancelation Policy
Annual continuing education memberships may be canceled at any time from your account settings; access continues through the end of the current billing period.
Complaint Resolution Policy
Questions or concerns regarding course content, credit reporting, or certificates may be directed to Amber Book support at info@amberbook.com.
Amber Book is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 40410829. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA-3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.