Getting a green Education

[completeNoob]

Hi,

So, I'm an entrepreneur interested in getting into the "green" building movement. Specifically, I'd like to be a part of developing emergency response shelters utilizing renewable and locally available materials.

My bachelours degree is in Chemical Engineering so this is going to be a complete change in direction for me, but I feel like it's the path I should take.

Could anyone clue me in on Universities (anywhere in the world) that have programs that specialize in green building?

Does anyone know of programs that specialize in alternative materials research? aka strawbale, adobe, packed earth, things like that?

Also, I don't know enough about either field, but could someone please advise as to the difference between Structural Engineering and Architecture?

I've been told, if I want to make it pretty to go for Architecture. If I want to make it stay standing go for engineering, but that seems like a gross over simplification. Isn't there a high degree of cross over?

I look forward to some interesting and hopefully educational input.

Thanks gang.

CN

[Antisthenes]

how do you eat?

[starkca3]

what do you mean how does he eat?

[plieng]

,guy! you are strongly encouraged to do it!
also, i am an environmental engineer in china, but what attracts me most is green building and sustainability. so i have learned some about it, and intend to be engaged in this area.
i hope that we can communicate with each other.

[lekizz]

@ completenoob - have a look at www.architectureforhumanity.org - they seem to be working in your prefered field.

As for college courses in 'green' building, I've only come across these as postgraduate and Masters courses. Not knowing where you are from, it would be hard for anyone to give specific advice.

[Antisthenes]

i mean do you eat green.

the best way is to understand better the reason not to use the typical stuff because of the harms

[XIONG1]

Ditto here~！
I support your point of view 。

[Antisthenes]

a holistic approach to life and the dwellings we inhabit

[completeNoob]

Lekizz,

I'm very flexible geographically, and am willing to travel internationally if necessary to get on board with a strong program. Could you please make some recommendations?

Also, does no one have an opinion on the difference between structural engineering and architecture?

Thanks

CompleteNoob

[csintexas]

I don't know of any programs that specialize in green building. I think the concept has gained significant acceptance in many programs though.

Well I guess if I had the money and ability to travel I would attend individual workshops and efforts.

http://www.arcosanti.org/

http://www.earthship.net/

http://www.solarliving.org/default.asp

etc.

I think lekizz has a good idea that anyone can work within www.architectureforhumanity.org The kind of work you are describing takes individual initiative more than a specialized education.

And then just get your piece of paper where ever it is convenient and do your internship with a company who specializes in green. Engineers generally don't conceive green projects they execute them but occasionally they do both.

[archgrl]

I went to VA Tech and I was surprised to see that it had a very green program. (I hadn't thought much about sustainability when looking for a college.)

My favorite class was Environmental Building Systems, which taught about LEED before it was well known.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture. It's a 5 year program, which means you don't have to go to grad school before getting licensed. I hear the Engineering school is great, but I don't know much about it. I always wanted to be an architect, since I'm a designer at heart. It's my belief that we hire structural engineers to design the best way a building stands up, but they don't typically influence how a building looks from the outside.

It seems to me structural engineers would design bridges, which would be really cool, but i'm not sure how green building would be incorporated into that.

Did you know buildings use 33% of U.S. energy consumption? I'm trying to slowly bring that number down. Right now I'm studying to be LEED accredited, which probably isn't the eventual solution, but it's a good first step.

[Antisthenes]

again i would advocate start with what you consume in your human body(hopefully green) and how that relates to excess and unhealthy building practices.