Fleming College: Experience More

Note: This program is delivered over 20 weeks.

The movement toward the creation of built environments that address basic human and planetary health needs as key design considerations is relatively recent and extremely compelling. To paraphrase Thoreau, "What is the point of a beautiful home if you don't have a planet left to put it on?"

Check out progress on this year's project:
The construction of the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre

 

Past Projects:

• 2006 project: Classroom for Kinark Outdoor Centre
• 2007 Project: R.D. Lawrence Place
• 2008 Project: Madoc Performing Arts Centre

Program Highlights

Fleming's new, leading-edge certificate program attracts students who wish to develop an integrated skill set in the design of structures using green, natural or sustainable building methods, technologies and materials and renewable energy resources. This program was designed to meet the needs of those in the construction industry seeking a specialized skill set; graduates of schools of architecture, interior design, or engineering who wish to have hands-on experience in addition to a theoretical base; those with an environmental background seeking hands-on skills in construction, and people with a general interest who might be considering home building. The hands-on, practical component of this program involves construction of a sustainable building. In order to do so, the program is offered in an intensive, compressed format for 20 weeks. The course workload is equivalent to a three-semester (45 week) program.

Word from the Workplace

"Coming from the perspective of a specialist, as I read through the curriculum I was impressed by the breadth and volume of practical information and experience one needs to plan and manage a construction project. The graduate of this course would not only come out with experience and knowledge of the expected basic building skills and materials, but would also be familiar with business and legal aspects, coordination with experts, architectural language and drawings, and the planning, execution and follow-up of the project. I would be confident and happy to work with a graduate of this program."

Andrew Hellebust, P.Eng.,
EcoWerks Technologies Corporation

Why Choose Fleming?

Fleming is the first college in Canada to offer this innovative, intensive program in sustainable building, where practical application of the theory results in a completed project.

What it Takes to Succeed

There are a few skills, abilities, and personality traits that will also help you in your education and eventual career:

• good communication skills
• able to work independently with little supervision
• ability to work as part of a team
• good physical health/condition
• a strong interest in construction and/or the environment

Career Opportunities

Program graduates will have a range of career options upon entering the field:

• existing sustainable building companies in Ontario and across Canada and the United States are eager for new employees with a sound grounding in sustainable building to assist them in meeting the current demand for their services
• within the sustainable building movement, renewable energy companies, various heating, cooling and ventilation companies, indoor air quality specialists, professional designers, water and waste treatment companies and ecological renovations companies are in need of employees with an understanding of their respective field and its position in the sustainable building field
• conventional construction companies are exploring a variety of "green building" options to align their practices with market demands
• self-employment opportunities exist, as builders and designers of sustainable homes, as specialists in a particular field, or as innovators in product or service development related to sustainable building
• employment with government housing agencies, non-profit housing organizations, international development agencies, or in public awareness and education are other possibilities.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
• Or a current Certificate of Qualification as a Carpenter - General.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

If you are interested in starting this program in Spring 2011, apply through ontariocolleges.ca and use the application for the 2010-2011 application year. (The equal consideration application date was February 2nd, 2010.)

The Spring 2010 start-date for this program is currently waitlisted.

Additional Costs

In addition, plan on spending approximately $700 for books and supplies.

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Architecture and Design	45.00
Construction for Sustainable Building: Mechanical	157.50
Construction for Sustainable Building: Structural	157.50
Contracting and Project Management	45.00
Design for Sustainable Building: Mechanical	90.00
Design for Sustainable Building: Structural	90.00
Project Administration for Sustainable Building	135.00
Services and Mechanical Systems for Sustainable Building	45.00
Sustainable Building Design	45.00
The Natural, Sustainable and Green Building Movements	45.00

Semester 1

Architecture and Design

Course Number: CNST0047

The act of creating a building in a modern context requires a builder to communicate effectively with a number of design professionals including architects, architectural technologists and structural engineers. Builders must be able to read and understand construction documents and express their own ideas in this medium. A builder must also understand the roles and responsibilities of each of the design professionals involved in a project, in order to direct communications appropriately. This course introduces students to the language of architecture. Through analysis of examples, students will learn to read a set of construction documents, including structural, plumbing, heating and electrical and be able to compose materials lists based on the contents of those drawings. Through presentations from qualified professionals, students will understand the roles of, relationships between and responsibilities of architects, engineers and technologists and develop and maintain useful working relationships with them.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Construction for Sustainable Building: Mechanical

Course Number: CNST0075

The numerous mechanical systems in a sustainable building must be installed properly to ensure optimal performance, serviceability and lifespan. They must also be balanced so they work as a coherent system. Many of the systems must be installed to stringent regulations and properly inspected prior to use.This course gives students the opportunity to put their mechanical systems design into operation on a building project. Applying the assistance of a variety of professionals, the students will complete the mechanical installations for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the mechanical elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including water collection and treatment, waste water treatment, plumbing, electrical wiring, electrical generation, heating, cooling and ventilation.

Units: 157.50
Hours: 157.50

Construction for Sustainable Building: Structural

Course Number: CNST0074

The structural elements of a sustainable building must be built to high standards, employing the best construction strategies. The structural elements must function properly together, to create an integrated whole that will be sustainable, durable and beautiful.This course gives students the opportunity to put their structural design into operation on a building project. Applying the assistance of a variety of instructors and professionals, the students will complete the structure for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the structural elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including foundation, exterior walls, roof framing and sheathing, insulation, floors, windows and doors, interior framing and partitions, finishes, fixtures and landscaping.

Units: 157.50
Hours: 157.50

Contracting and Project Management

Course Number: CNST0048

A successful building project requires careful planning and management. A general contractor is responsible for all the on-site activities for a building project, including the hiring of sub-trades, time and materials management, budgeting and work site safety.In this course, students will learn the role of the general contractor and project manager in the building process, including their professional status, their legal responsibilities and the scope of their work in building design, studying written works and the legal frameworks governing the profession. From a practicing sustainable building contractor, students will learn how the principles of successful general contracting are applied in a sustainable building context. Based on their understanding of contracting, the students will create a working plan for the hands-on component of the course, including materials estimates, labour quotes, sequence of tasks and client relationships.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Design for Sustainable Building: Mechanical

Course Number: MECH0156

Sustainable buildings rely on numerous mechanical systems to achieve their performance goals. These mechanical systems must adhere to principles of sustainability and function in a unified way to ensure the ongoing success of the project goals. Systems theory must be put into practice for a particular project, making optimal use of the available site, conditions, energy sources and client needs with the best knowledge and human resources.This course gives students the opportunity to put their mechanical systems theory and exercises into practice on a building project. All aspects of the mechanical systems are considered. Applying research and the assistance of a variety of professionals, the students will complete the mechanical design for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the mechanical elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including water collection and treatment, waste water treatment, plumbing, electrical wiring, electrical generation, heating, cooling and ventilation.

Units: 90.00
Hours: 90.00

Design for Sustainable Building: Structural

Course Number: CNST0073

Sustainable building design involves a lot of theory, but at some point all the theory must become reality in a particular time and place. A successful sustainable building is based on a design that makes the best possible use of the given site, materials, client needs and available knowledge and resources.This course gives students the opportunity to put their design theory and exercises into practice on a building project. All aspects of the building design are considered, from siting and orientation to structural elements, as well as appearance and finishes. Applying research and the assistance of a variety of professionals, the students will complete the structural design for the chosen building project using a team approach that divides the structural elements of the building into a number of inter-related areas of focus, including foundation, wall construction, roof framing and sheathing, insulation, floors, windows and doors, interior framing and partitions, finishes, fixtures and landscaping.

Units: 90.00
Hours: 90.00

Project Administration for Sustainable Building

Course Number: CNST0072

The creation of a successful sustainable building project depends upon strong administration skills in a variety of areas. It is here that the challenge to be sustainable is met: by creating an administrative framework that ensures the financial sustainability of the project while also embracing sustainable principles concerning the health and safety of workers, protection of the site environment and public education.This course engages the students in the complete range of administrative duties for a sustainable building project. These roles include budgeting, purchasing, site management, health and safety, publicity and public relations and documentation. Each of these areas requires students to set policies, maintain records, and ensure a continuing overlap between sustainable intentions and sustainable practices.

Units: 135.00
Hours: 135.00

Services and Mechanical Systems for Sustainable Building

Course Number: MECH0114

In order to minimise the environmental impact and occupant health impact of a building, an innovative set of mechanical systems must be successfully integrated, including water collection and use, waste water disposal and treatment, heating and cooling, ventilation and electrical power. These are rapidly developing fields, and a successful sustainable builder must have a general knowledge of the kinds of options available and the tools to assess which technologies can be combined to create an effective solution in a particular circumstance. This course provides an introduction to the different categories of mechanical services, and the research tools for students to continuously stay abreast of developments so they can employ the most effective systems to suit a wide variety of building projects. Through presentations from leaders in the design and installation of such systems, as well as through case studies, (including field trips), learners will understand the needs met by each system, and the costs and complexities involved in putting the system into practice.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Sustainable Building Design

Course Number: ENVR0034

Sustainable buildings are unique in many aspects of their design. They must be well-integrated into the environment, incorporate passive solar aspects, and use a range of low-impact foundation and drainage strategies. Materials must be selected to create an appropriate balance between thermal performance and building mass, and day-lighting and aesthetics must all blend together to provide a practical, functional, beautiful and healthy environment. This course will introduce students to a wide range of siting strategies, passive solar strategies, sustainable materials and architectural design strategies appropriate to sustainable building. Through analysis of examples (including site visits to existing buildings), students will become increasingly familiar with a range of sustainable building methods and materials, and be able to assess the health, environmental, cost and aesthetic impacts of each. Applying their knowledge of drafting skills, the students will engage in design exercises based on the needs of a wide range of potential clients, creating basic plans to meet the needs of these clients.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

The Natural, Sustainable and Green Building Movements

Course Number: ENVR0033

The natural, green and / or sustainable building movement is not an organised or well-defined movement. Rather, it is a growing trend toward an awareness that our built environment has a huge impact on the natural environment, and on our health and well-being. This issue is of particular importance in our northern climate, coupled with work habits that encourage us to spend the majority of our time inside the confines of buildings. There are a vast number of ways in which our buildings can have less dramatic impacts on the natural environment and simultaneously be healthier and more pleasant places to spend our time. These wide-ranging strategies for improvement are the basis for the green building movement. This course helps to set the stage for student understanding of this movement: its origins, principles, and philosophies, as well as the thinkers and practitioners who have helped to shape and form it, in Canada and internationally. Through analysis of examples, research studies and existing data, students will be able to develop a sound case for sustainable building. On course completion, students will have entered fully into the ongoing conversation between building occupants, builders, building designers and regulators about what constitutes a built environment that addresses basic human and planetary health needs as key design considerations.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00