Ecological Architecture

Ecological Architecture is a course that seeks to help students understand the necessity of sustainable architecture and the effect of our cities on the environment and climate. As our climate rapidly changes, it is vital that our use of materials, techniques, and designs meet the urgency of the climate and environmental challenges facing our world. Ecological architecture marries an understanding of ecology (the relationship of organisms to each other and the environment around them) and architectural design (the planning, design, and implementation of physical structures) to create a better, more sustainable world.

We will meet once per week on Zoom to study fundamental concepts, learn physical and CAD modeling techniques, and complete designs of our own. Students will be provided with tools and materials at the beginning of the course that they will use throughout the term to complete their projects. Zoom will also be used for 1:1 help, group work, and teacher office hours.

Our face-to-face meetings will include visits to local Architecture firms, buildings, and construction sites that are incorporating sustainable and eco-architectural concepts and fundamentals in their designs. We will also hear from local and international architects who are committed to sustainability and ecological design throughout the term, and work with real-world problems in our own projects.

  UC Approved: Interdisciplinary  

Bethany Hellerich – Urban School
Bethany is the Director of the UrbanX Labs at the Urban School, where she leads Urban’s integrated and interdisciplinary educational approach to science, technology, engineering and design for the 21st century. She enjoys teaching students how to develop, design and build their ideas.