M10-06 · AI + Architecture & Construction Technology

Sustainability & Building Performance

AI + Architecture & Construction Technology →

LEED, WELL, energy modeling, embodied carbon — sustainability credentials and the AI tools making performance analysis faster and more accurate. Covers LEED v4 documentation and credit tracking, energy modeling basics with EnergyPlus and eQUEST, embodied carbon analysis and materials optimization using lifecycle assessment data, WELL and living building standards, indoor environmental quality monitoring, and AI-assisted performance optimization. Students learn to be the sustainability specialist who translates green building requirements into documented, measurable outcomes.

30 Hours

8 Learning objectives

Analyze Bloom's ceiling (?)

5 Competencies

What You'll Be Able To Do

Learning Objectives

Objectives

Depth

Navigate LEED v4 credit categories, identify achievable credits for a given project type, and prepare documentation packages for credit submission Apply
Set up and run basic energy models using EnergyPlus or eQUEST — defining building geometry, envelope properties, HVAC systems, and occupancy schedules to predict annual energy consumption Apply
Analyze energy model results to identify the highest-impact design changes — envelope improvements, HVAC efficiency, lighting power density, and renewable energy contributions Analyze
Conduct embodied carbon analysis using lifecycle assessment tools — comparing structural systems, envelope materials, and finish selections by their carbon footprint Analyze
Optimize material selections by balancing embodied carbon, cost, performance, and availability — using AI tools to evaluate alternatives and generate comparison reports Analyze
Explain the WELL Building Standard framework and map its features (air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound) to measurable building performance criteria Understand
Track and document sustainability metrics across a project lifecycle — construction waste diversion rates, regional material percentages, and commissioning results Apply
Use AI tools to accelerate sustainability analysis — generating energy baseline comparisons, identifying LEED credit opportunities from project data, and producing sustainability narrative reports Apply

Levels: Remember · Understand · Apply · Analyze · Evaluate · Create — highest demands most original thinking.

Core Competencies

What You'll Master

LEED Documentation

Navigating LEED v4 credit categories, preparing submittal documentation, tracking credit achievement, and managing the certification process.

Energy Modeling

Building and interpreting energy models with EnergyPlus and eQUEST — predicting consumption, identifying efficiency opportunities, and evaluating design alternatives.

Embodied Carbon Analysis

Conducting lifecycle assessments of building materials, comparing structural and envelope systems by carbon footprint, and optimizing material selections.

Materials Optimization

Balancing sustainability, cost, performance, and availability in material selection using AI-assisted analysis and comparison tools.

Performance Metrics & Reporting

Tracking sustainability data across the project lifecycle — waste diversion, regional materials, commissioning results, and post-occupancy performance.

Portfolio Artifact

What You'll Build

Sustainability Analysis Report with LEED Credit Tracking — A comprehensive sustainability package for a realistic project: a LEED scorecard with achievable credits identified and documentation prepared for key credits, an energy model with baseline and proposed design comparison showing projected savings, an embodied carbon analysis comparing two structural system alternatives with a justified recommendation, a materials optimization report, and a sustainability narrative suitable for an owner presentation. Demonstrates the ability to lead sustainability documentation on a real project.

Tools You'll Use

Industry Tools, Not Toy Projects

EnergyPlus

DOE's whole-building energy simulation engine for modeling energy consumption, thermal loads, and HVAC system performance.

eQUEST

Building energy analysis tool with a visual interface for rapid energy modeling, parametric analysis, and code compliance checking.

Tally

Revit-integrated lifecycle assessment plugin for calculating embodied carbon and environmental impacts of building materials and assemblies.

LEED Online

USGBC's web platform for managing LEED project registration, credit documentation, and certification review submissions.

cove.tool

Early-stage building performance analysis platform for rapid energy, daylight, water, and embodied carbon analysis during design.