 |
|
|
 |
|
|
This is a super-ecological, multi-residential house for up to 12 people at Sirius. Some of its features include: passive solar
construction, super insulation, radiant in-floor heating, composting toilets, local lumber, non-toxic stains, steel roof which
collects rainwater for the gardens, photovoltaic array (1.8kW), and three types of soundproofing.
more photos » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green building is a broad term covering conserving energy, selecting low-impact
materials, technologies and an appropriate site, as well as considering what
happens at the end of a building's life. In this cutting-edge course students
learn how to design and construct ecologically sound structures in cob and strawbale. In addition,
students experience various natural building techniques and gain hands-on
experience working alongside knowledgeable natural builders at Sirius Community
– a model educational and sustainable ecovillage in scenic western
Massachusetts. This is one of the few opportunities in the country to receive
college credit and learn experientially about sustainable design and
construction.
A Two-Part Course:
I. Designing with Nature
Through discussion, reading, hands-on projects and site visits, students
become proficient in a broad range of natural building techniques – many of
which are present and being utilized on-site. At least two day-long field trips
are scheduled to visit unique ecologically designed structures and sites. Class
and research time will be spent in Sirius' beautiful Octagon meeting room as
well as in the orchards, homes and forests which surround it. The design
process culminates with presentations of green design schemes to the class,
community members and green building professionals.
II. Practicum - Building a Permanent Sustainable Structure
Natural building is best learned through hands-on experience. Students will
take what they have learned in the design process and construct permanent
sustainable structures at Sirius Community. Several days will be spent outside
constructing a cob structure for a four-season greenhouse. There will be
opportunities for timber framing and straw bale construction as well. Students
will leave the course with the skills and formal training necessary to formally
propose, design and build sustainable structures in their own communities. All
students receive a sustainable design and construction certificate upon
completion of the course.
Sirius is an...
-
Intentional Community of 25 adults and children, based on respect for the
individual, cooperation with nature, and spiritual growth.
-
Learning facility that uses green building practices in all of its
construction. Each building has passive and/or active solar architecture, is
built with locally harvested wood and uses non-toxic materials and finishes.
Timber frame, straw bale and cob construction can be found throughout the
campus.
-
Ecovillage, practicing sustainable techniques including organic tilth and
co-creative gardens, passive and active solar architecture, composting toilets,
rain and waste water cycling, off-grid energy, water catchment, greenhouse
bioshelter and season extending techniques.
-
Educational Center, seasonally offering a wide array of workshops, internships,
and short courses on sustainable living and design.
Read more about Sirius and its location »
The official UMASS-Amherst course title for this 4 credit program is: Sustainable Design and Construction
(Building and Construction Technology - BMATWT 497X)
What is Green Building?
We will take you on an ecological journey through the entire green building
process: from site selection and laying the foundation to selecting appropriate
materials and conducting a life cycle analysis.
Green Structures: Simple to Complex
Green building at its simplest form: primitive shelter building, site analysis,
passive solar architecture, patterning for energy efficiency, renewable energy
technologies.
Natural Building:
Exploration of natural building materials, their properties and their 'roles'
as structural components. Students gain experience in timber frame, straw bale
and cob construction.
Community Strategies:
Eco-village and community design; master plans and how they evolve over time.
Group design project and presentation.
Earn 4 transferable credits (NRC 398P) through the University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Find out about transferring credits to your home school »
|
|
 |
|
|
Community center built by Sirius members with all local, non-toxic wood. A
photovoltaic array rests on the octagon-shaped roof and an integrated
passive-solar greenhouse faces south for maximum sunlight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Students will be guided through the design process (weeks 1 and 2) and the
final week will culminate with building and design presentations to the class, community
members and green building professionals.
|
|
| Week 1: |
| • |
Introduction to green building with a focus on simple and primitive sustainable construction. |
|
| Week 2: |
| • |
Focus on low-energy natural building techniques and beginning the design process. |
|
| Week 3: |
| • |
Focus on construction of permanent sustainable structures at Sirius Community. |
|
|
The course contains assignments in reading, writing, design work, portfolio and assessment.
|
|
|
Get contact information for an alum of this program »
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Cob Oven at Sirius Community
|
|
|
|
|
Building with recycled materials at Sirius Community.
|
|
 |
|
|
Students collaborating over their final design project outside Sirius Community
|
|
 |
|
|
Cob structure at Sirius Community
|
|
|
Ryan Harb LEED AP
M.S. Green Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst
B.B.A., Business Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Permaculture Design Certification, Shutesbury, Massachusetts
Permaculture Instructor Certification, Sandstone, Minnesota
Ryan Harb is the first person to receive a Master of Science in Green Building
in the U.S. He has traveled throughout Europe and Australia focusing his sights
on environmentally beneficial structures and technologies worldwide. Ryan is a
certified permaculture designer, a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, Accredited Professional) and a healer. Ryan's recent
projects include transforming his 5,000 square foot yard into a permaculture
edible forest garden, teaching green building and energy auditing at Youthbuild
Holyoke, and interning for Will Allen (Growing Power) in Milwaukee, WI. Ryan
regenerates landscapes and has a particular interest in soil remediation.
Kay Cafasso
B.S., Environmental Geosciences, Boston College
Natural Building and Solar Home Design Certification, Solar Energy International
Permaculture Design Certification, Naropa University
Permaculture Instruction Certification, Dynamics Ecological Design
Kay Cafasso is a natural builder, a certified permaculture design course
instructor, and a designer of ecological landscapes. Kay holds certificates in
Solar Home Design and Natural Building Construction and has many years of
experience specializing in earth plasters and natural finishes for straw bale
and other natural buildings. After documenting ecological design applications
in homes and landscapes in arid, temperate & tropical climates worldwide, Kay
founded Sowing Solutions, offering education and ecological design and
consultation services for homeowners and land stewards. Kay practices what she
teaches: thoughtful and holistic design of landscapes, agriculture, dwellings,
and communities.
David T. Damery, UMass Faculty Sponsor
Associate Professor. Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Amherst
MS Industrial Administration (MBA), Carnegie Mellon University
BS Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
David T. Damery received the BS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(1980), the MS in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University
(1988) and PhD in Resource Economics from the University of Massachusetts
(2006). He has worked in engineering, management, business consulting,
entrepreneurship, secondary manufacturing and retailing of lumber and building
materials. He was hired as a Lecturer in the Univ. of Massachusetts, Building
Materials and Wood Technology program in 1997. Dr. Damery is currently Assoc.
Professor and Director of the Building and Construction Technology program at
the Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst. He teaches and conducts research in green
building, sustainable design and construction of the built environment, and
forest products and building materials management, marketing and economics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
