University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design

Be the change the world needs. Build your knowledge and skills in sustainable design.

Building Science, Daylight Simulation, Energy Modeling, Embodied Carbon, and Biophilic Design

Whether you are looking to make a difference in the fight against climate change or you want to advance your career by gaining new sustainability related knowledge and skills, this program is for you

Program Begins: June 1, 2024

Program Cost:
As low as $2,935

The Executive Program in Design for Sustainability (XDS) is brought to you by the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. The program is created specifically for built environment professionals seeking to elevate their career and increase their design impact by building competency in the technically demanding aspects of designing high performing environmental buildings.

Designed to fit into your busy schedule, this 7-month program features self-paced online learning interspersed with live online meetings with your instructors and a community of curious and motivated design professionals. Gain the high-level skills you need to advance your career without leaving your job and without the cost and time of a full master's degree.

Taught by world class professors from Penn and by industry leaders, you will learn by doing, with coaching from experts along the way. At our live one-day XDS Summit, you will form closer connections with your colleagues, participate in thought provoking discussions, and learn about future trends in sustainable design.

Begin your journey to becoming a leader in design for sustainability now!

Who is this program for?

The XDS program is for built environment professionals including architects, designers, and allied disciplines seeking to make sustainability a core part of their professional career.

  • Architects and interior designers who want to learn more about building science and using building simulation tools
  • Project designers, architects and managers who want to incorporate a deeper understanding of building science and validate the performance of their projects using energy modeling, daylighting and embodied carbon assessment into their skill sets
  • Firms seeking to build the capacity of the sustainable design team

Apply for the XDS Program Download Viewbook

Executive program in design for Sustainability

Benefits

Completing the XDS Program earns you professional learning units and career advantages.

  • Receive an Executive Program certificate from one of the top design schools in the world
  • Obtain digital Certificates of Completion for each course that you can add to your resume and your LinkedIn profile
  • Earn up to 18 AIA LUs HSW
  • Help your firm build its profile as a leader in sustainable design
  • Gain the career advantage of being an expert in a growing field
  • Learn concrete techniques for visualizing and measuring the performance of sustainable buildings
  • Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your part in the fight against climate change

XDS has a unique course structure designed for optimal learning.

In the XDS Program, you will:

  • Learn techniques for sustainability applications with step-by-step guides
  • Watch pre-recorded lectures featuring clear explanations of complex building science concepts
  • Complete carefully designed assignments that allow you to internalize concepts and apply them in real time
  • Synthesize concepts and techniques by completing a Capstone Project

The learning format of XDS is tailored to the needs of working professionals.

In the XDS Program, you will:

  • Check in with instructors in real-time and get your questions answered as you move through the courses
  • Spend an average of 8 hours per week watching videos, completing assignments and meeting with colleagues, instructors, and teaching fellows
  • Complete all coursework, assignments, live interactions outside of the work week
  • Watch concise recorded lectures and benefit from periodic live meetings to fill in gaps and increase motivation towards completion
  • Interact with likeminded colleagues from around the world who will become your newfound professional network

Flexibility

In how you move through the program
Option 1: Cohort Program
Take courses online in a pre-set sequence to finish
Take all the courses with a cohort of likeminded, highly motivated colleagues
Participate in regular, live meetings with instructors and teaching fellows to make sure everything is understood
Attend the XDS Summit
Discounted cost with full payment
 
Option 2: Self-Paced Courses
Take courses online at a pace that fits your life. Stop and start the program when a break is needed
Connect with others seeking to achieve the same goals as you
Regular, live meetings with Instructors and Teaching Fellows to make sure everything is understood
Pay a fee to attend our XDS Summit
Pay for each course as you go
Once you have completed all the stand alone courses, in any order, along with the Capstone Studio, you will complete the Executive Program in Design for Sustainability and receive a certificate

Schedule

ELECTIVES: Choose one

William W. Braham headshot photo
“For over 35 years at Penn, we have been refining the techniques of bioclimatic design, which will provide you with the foundation for all forms of sustainable design. Join us now.”
William W. Braham, Faculty Director; Professor of Architecture; Director of The Master of Science in Design in Environmental Building Design

Details

Important information about the program

Career Benefits

  • Gain cutting edge building simulation skills
  • Become an expert within the office and become more marketable
  • Position yourself to explore new career opportunities in the burgeoning field of sustainable design

Learning Objectives

At the end of the Building Science Track you will:

  • Understand the building science behind high performing environmental buildings
  • Perform daylight simulations and interpret the results
  • Conduct and interpret energy models
  • Measure embodied carbon and interpret the results
  • Modify a building to achieve optimum human comfort and environmental performance

Program Pacing and Cost of the Program

Option 1: Traditional Cohort Program

Join our Spring 2024 Cohort. Take classes in order with a group of likeminded colleagues. Receive regular live interaction with the instructors, colleagues, and experts. Attend our free one-day online XDS Summit.

Key Information
Traditional Cohort Program

Cost: $2,935.00 (a 30% discount as compared to paying as you go)

Start dates: June 1, 2024

Program Length: 7 months

Self-paced program Classes, pay-as-you-go Cost, Start dates

Cost: $699 per class

Start dates: Visit this link to see all the Courses and their start dates.

Program Length: Self-paced

$4,195 total for all courses to complete the program
Apply for the XDS Program Download Viewbook

Curriculum & Instructors (Click on links to view start dates and detailed course information)

Bioclimatic Innovation, Techniques for Environmental Building

Instructor: William Braham

In this 6-week course, we will explore innovative techniques of environmental building design with an emphasis on the fundamental concepts of climatology and building science with which they are developed.

Daylight Simulation Basics

Instructor: Janki Vyas

In this 3-week course architects and designers the fundamentals of daylighting and how it can be integrated in the process to help inform design decision making.

Energy Modeling Basics

Instructor: TBD

In this 3-week course architects and designers will learn the fundamentals of energy modeling and how it can be integrated in the process to help inform design decision making.

Fundamentals of Embodied Carbon

Instructor: Kayleigh Houde

In this 3 week online course, learn the basics of embodied carbon, model embodied carbon for built projects and interpret the results.

Capstone Studio in Design for Sustainability

Instructor: Rob Fleming

In this 3 Week course, the concepts and techniques of all the Design for Sustainability will be synthesized into an bio-climatic design of a simple building.

Electives

Biophilic Design: Science, Patterns, Process of Design for Health and Well-Being

Instructor: Helena van Vliet

In this 4 week online course, learn the science of innate human patterns and preferences for the design of neurobiologically restorative well-being places.

Facilitation of Co-creative Stakeholder Engagements

Instructor: Rob Fleming

In this 3 week course, you will learn the concepts, strategies and techniques for effective leadership of co-creative design events.

Apply for the XDS Program

Rob Fleming headshot photo
“This program helps you to understand building science, apply software tools to study different design solutions and to bring it all together in a capstone studio experience.”
Rob Fleming, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA; Director, Design for Sustainability Program; Director of Sustainability, FCA Architects

Important Program Dates

April 1

Applications Open

June 1

Regular Application Deadline

(Cohort track)

Apply for the XDS Program Download Viewbook

Have questions?

Drop us a line. We’d be happy to answer any remaining questions you have about the XDS program. Visit our main website to see the latest Frequently Asked Questions

Apply for the XDS Program Request more information Meet with Rob Fleming, program director

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210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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