Bringing Local Sourcing into Sustainable Design for Architecture Students
Teaching architecture students about local sourcing in sustainable design can be done in several fun and engaging ways. Here are some strategies to help them learn about choosing materials and understanding supply chains.
Real-Life Examples: Use case studies to show how local sourcing works in real life. For example, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) found that buildings made with local materials are 20% better for the environment than those made with materials from far away.
Guest Speakers: Invite local craftspeople and suppliers to share how local sourcing helps the community and the economy. According to the Local First Alliance, spending 73 for the local economy. In contrast, only $43 comes from spending that money at a non-local business.
Working Together: Form partnerships with local manufacturers and suppliers. This gives students a chance to work with materials that come from their own region and learn how to choose materials that are good for the environment.
Field Trips: Plan trips to local factories, mills, or sites where reclaimed materials are stored. This way, students can see how materials are made and learn about their impact on the environment.
Choosing Materials Wisely: Teach students how to choose materials based on their environmental impact. This includes looking at things like energy used in making them, how easily they can be recycled, and whether they can be renewed. Using local materials can also help lower the emissions from transportation, which can be as high as 30% of a product’s total carbon impact.
Understanding Supply Chains: Use tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to help students understand the environmental impact of materials throughout their life, from getting them from the earth to when they’re thrown away. This will highlight why it’s important to use local sources.
Design Challenges: Host competitions where students can only use local materials in their designs. This will spark their creativity while also supporting local businesses.
Research Projects: Motivate students to research how local sourcing can help in creating sustainable designs and architecture. They can explore topics like climate change or how to support their communities.
By using these strategies, college students can learn how to include local sourcing in their designs. This approach helps them see the benefits of being responsible towards the environment while also investing in their community.
Bringing Local Sourcing into Sustainable Design for Architecture Students
Teaching architecture students about local sourcing in sustainable design can be done in several fun and engaging ways. Here are some strategies to help them learn about choosing materials and understanding supply chains.
Real-Life Examples: Use case studies to show how local sourcing works in real life. For example, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) found that buildings made with local materials are 20% better for the environment than those made with materials from far away.
Guest Speakers: Invite local craftspeople and suppliers to share how local sourcing helps the community and the economy. According to the Local First Alliance, spending 73 for the local economy. In contrast, only $43 comes from spending that money at a non-local business.
Working Together: Form partnerships with local manufacturers and suppliers. This gives students a chance to work with materials that come from their own region and learn how to choose materials that are good for the environment.
Field Trips: Plan trips to local factories, mills, or sites where reclaimed materials are stored. This way, students can see how materials are made and learn about their impact on the environment.
Choosing Materials Wisely: Teach students how to choose materials based on their environmental impact. This includes looking at things like energy used in making them, how easily they can be recycled, and whether they can be renewed. Using local materials can also help lower the emissions from transportation, which can be as high as 30% of a product’s total carbon impact.
Understanding Supply Chains: Use tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to help students understand the environmental impact of materials throughout their life, from getting them from the earth to when they’re thrown away. This will highlight why it’s important to use local sources.
Design Challenges: Host competitions where students can only use local materials in their designs. This will spark their creativity while also supporting local businesses.
Research Projects: Motivate students to research how local sourcing can help in creating sustainable designs and architecture. They can explore topics like climate change or how to support their communities.
By using these strategies, college students can learn how to include local sourcing in their designs. This approach helps them see the benefits of being responsible towards the environment while also investing in their community.