Holistic Approach to Sustainable Design: A Comprehensive Primer for Interior Design and Architecture

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About this class

(Email [email protected] for Alumni discount code, send your full name and VCUarts Qatar email) 

This 5-week masterclass provides an essential foundation for professionals navigating the fast-evolving landscape of sustainable design. Through experiential learning, theoretical knowledge, expert inputs, and case studies, the course explores the intersection of sustainability, design, and architecture, focusing on how designers can mitigate climate risks, promote resilience, and enhance the health and well-being of occupants.

Each week, participants will engage with various aspects of sustainable design, including best practices, net-zero strategies, well-being, circular economy principles, and biophilic design. With the built environment accounting for approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions and people spending over 90% of their time indoors, design decisions have a profound impact on the environment and daily lives. Designers have a unique opportunity to scale the positive impact they can bring to the built environment, contributing to a sustainable and healthy future.

Key Topics:

Tools and frameworks for embedding sustainability in design decisions.

Sustainable design process: Effective planning and best practices

Strategies for net-zero design, human sustainability, nature-based solutions and circular design.

Case studies of successful sustainably designed projects

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the 5-week masterclass, participants will be prepared to confidently integrate sustainability into their interior design or architectural projects and advance their careers in sustainable design. They will develop practical skills in managing a sustainable design project, energy efficiency, and human centered design, along with a deep understanding of net-zero strategies, circular design principles, and biophilic design. This course serves as a solid foundation for those aiming to lead impactful, environmentally conscious projects that prioritize both occupant well-being and environmental health.

Class Outline

Week 1: Sustainable Design Process – Best Practices and Practice Models:

Overview:
Explore proven approaches to sustainable design and effective practice models that yield positive outcomes for both the environment and occupants. We will discuss concepts and foundations of sustainable design including definitions and principles needed for a holistic approach and a successful
sustainability outcome through out the design and construction phases. You will learn how to integrate sustainability from the early stages of planning, while balancing
functionality, cost and aesthetic value.


Key Topics:

  • Introduction to an integrated design process for positive sustainable outcomes
  • Sustainable design principles and strategies
  • Case studies of successful sustainable projects
  • Tools for embedding sustainability in design from start to finish

Learning Outcome:
Participants will understand how to structure design processes to incorporate sustainability while achieving aesthetic, functional and value-driven objectives. They will explore concepts of systems thinking and accountability in the sustainable design process.

Week 2: Demystifying Net-Zero for Designers:

Overview:
“Net-zero” has become a buzzword in the design industry but with various definitions and nuances – such as net-zero energy, net -zero carbon and net-zero waste, – there is often confusion around terminology and best practice. This session will break down the complexities of achieving energy efficiency and netzero through success and failure case studies.
Energy and Carbon are the foundational pillars of sustainable design, shaping the blueprint for a greener future. This week, we will break down these terms and explore practical strategies for designers to achieve net-zero, using real-life success and failure case studies.

Key Topics:

  • Defining net-zero energy, carbon, and waste
  • Strategies for energy efficiency and net-zero energy in design
  • Carbon footprint reduction in buildings
  • Case studies: Net-zero buildings and lessons learned

Learning Outcome:
Participants will gain clarity on the various facets of energy efficient, low carbon and net-zero design and will be equipped with strategies to implement these concepts in their own projects.

Week 3: Designing for Well-Being and Human Sustainability:

Overview:
Human-centered design plays a critical role in creating healthier, more sustainable living spaces. This session explores how thoughtful design can enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of occupants, while also addressing equity and inclusivity in design.

Key Topics:

  • Psychological and physiological effects of built environments
  • Human-centric design approaches
  • Designing for occupant health and well-being
  • Principles of inclusive and equitable design

Learning Outcome:
Participants will learn how to create spaces that foster a healthier lifestyle for occupants and create environments that enhance well-being for all with equal access and inclusivity. They will gain knowledge about the growing practice of ‘intersectional environmentalism’ that connects planetary
health with human well-being.

Week 4: Circular Economy and Design:

Overview:
Designers must now adopt a holistic approach that embraces circular design and considers health impacts of materials. This session will explore the transformative power of circular economy in design, emphasizing regeneration and healthy materials. This session will highlight the importance of materials reuse, waste reduction, and the life cycle of materials in creating a sustainable built environment.

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to the circular design
  • Strategies for healthy material selections and waste reduction
  • Life cycle assessments and their role in design
  • Real-world examples of circular design in practice

Learning Outcome:
Participants will understand how to integrate circular economy principles into their design processes, reducing waste and maximizing the life cycle of materials. Participants will learn practical tools to shift design thinking towards circularity and examine its impact on healthy materials.

Week 5: Nature-Based Solutions and Biophilia in Design:

Overview:
This final week introduces regenerative design and biophilic strategies, focusing on how nature-based solutions can be woven into interior design and architecture. Learn how to create restorative, regenerative environments that enhance human connection with nature.

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to regenerative design principles
  • Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and positive health impacts
  • Biophilic design strategies to improve occupant well-being
  • Case studies: Biophilia and nature-inspired designs

Learning Outcome:
Participants will explore how biophilia and regenerative design can transform spaces into environments that are not only sustainable but also emotionally and physically restorative.

Overall Course Learning Outcomes

Develop practical skills and tools for managing sustainable design projects, advancing careers in
the creative and architectural industries.

Understand and apply sustainable design processes and best practices from planning to project
completion.

Develop a solid foundation of sustainable design principles and an integrated approach.

Gain knowledge on energy efficient design, low carbon strategies and waste reduction towards a
reduced carbon and net-zero design future.

Design spaces that prioritize occupant health and well-being through human-centered and
inclusive approaches.

Implement circular design principles to minimize waste and maximize material lifecycles.

Incorporate biophilic and regenerative design strategies to create restorative, nature-connected
environments and enhance health and well-being.

Eligibility

This course is eligible for 10 WELL specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for WELL Accredited Professionals (WELL AP’s)

Materials needed

Please note: VCUarts Qatar reserves the right to cancel classes for which not enough participants are registered. Already paid fees will be refunded.

Please do not purchase materials until VCUarts Qatar has sent final course confirmation.

Items to buy for this class

  • Laptop, A2 Illustration Board, Scissors, Glue, Sketch Book, Color Pencils

On occasions, there may be some more materials to be bought and brought in if and when advised by the instructor.

Where to buy your materials

Most of the materials are available from any art supply shop, for example:
  • Cass Art (Fire station)
  • Jarir Bookstore: on Rayyan Road or Salwa Road
  • Color Note: on Al Nasser Street
  • Ibn Al Qayyim: at Markhiya Roundabout
  • Al Rawnaq

Schedule

Start: Mon, 4 Nov, 2024
End: Mon, 2 Dec, 2024
Lessons: 5
Days: Mondays
Time: 5:30 -7:30 pm
Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus
Cost: QAR 5000

Instructors

Komal Kotwal

Komal Kotwal

Komal Kotwal is a Global Sustainable Strategy and Management Leader, an Architect and Educator. Founder and Principal Consultant at EquiSustain, Komal specializes in bespoke sustainability consulting, educational and mentoring services, with a key focus on the intersection of climate change & health and the integration of equity in design. Prior to establishing EquiSustain, Komal held the role of firmwide Sustainable Design Leader for Health, Well-Being and Equity at the global architecture and engineering firm, HOK. 

Komal additionally serves as the Content Director for the Sustainable Design Academy for UK Based Think Tank, Sustainable Design Collective. 

With over 19 years of experience, she has spearheaded sustainable design initiatives across diverse projects, including large masterplans, corporate campuses, airports, education and healthcare systems encompassing over ten million sq. ft. of real estate. Her accomplishments range from pioneering net-zero energy and carbon initiatives to developing corporate ESG and WELL at Scale frameworks and overseeing LEED and WELL Platinum projects in the United States and the Middle East. 

An award-winning Architect, Thought Leader and WELL Faculty, Komal leverages a global platform to share industry and academic insights, guiding change-makers committed to creating sustainable, healthy, and equitable environments. Komal was recognized in an exclusive interview with Disrupt Magazine in April 2024 and with Madame Architect in April 2023 for redefining industry standards and acknowledged by the International WELL Building Institute two years in a row with the Rising Star Award in the WELL Faculty Category in 2022 and as a WELL AP on the Next Frontier of Design in 2023. Komal has been an invited member of the Fast Company Impact Council, New York in 2022-23 dedicated to discussing the impact of business on the most pressing issues of our time. 

Komal currently serves on IWBI’s Community advisory and has served on IWBI’s Health Equity Advisory, AIA Houston Board of Directors, the Texas USGBC Regional Council, and the USGBC’s Greenbuild Program Committee. Komal has also served on HOK’s Diversity Advisory Council and HOK’s Management Board. 

Komal holds a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Mumbai.