The course, entitled “Genuine Stone: A Natural Choice for Sustainable Design” provides architects with one CES-HSW/SD Learning Unit. The AIA Board of Directors recently modified the AIA-member continuing education requirement to include four hours of education in sustainable design as part of the existing 18-hour annual requirement. This sustainable design requirement became effective in calendar year 2009 and extends through 2012.
The one-hour course provides an introduction to sustainable design and the sustainability movement, plus descriptions of how natural stone makes an appropriate and natural material design choice that contributes to a sustainable design solution over a project’s life cycle. Learning objectives for the course include:
- A review of the objectives of sustainable design
- A look at the characteristics of natural stone and their relevance to sustainable design
- Identification of ways to reduce environmental impacts when selecting and sourcing natural stone
- An explanation of how natural stone can be, and has been, used to support sustainable design goals, including case study examples
The course was developed by MIA’s sustainability consultant, Stephanie Vierra, LEED AP, for the MIA utilizing content she originally developed for VeronaFiere and Marmomacc, but customized and expanded for MIA member use in providing continuing education for architects/designers. In addition, a task force of MIA members provided industry information and advice for the course. Funding for the development of the course was provided by MIA members supporting the association’s Natural Stone Sustainability Fund.
For more information, gohere.