The materials chosen for a building's walls, roof and finishes do more than hold the structure together — they determine its embodied carbon, indoor air quality and long-term environmental footprint before a single kilowatt of energy is ever used. As construction faces growing pressure to conserve resources and cut emissions, material selection has become a front-line sustainability decision rather than an afterthought.

The Training Course in Selecting and Applying Green Building Materials and Technologies, from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, gives architecture, construction and sustainability professionals a practical framework for that decision. Participants examine natural, recycled and renewable materials alongside the energy, water and indoor-air technologies that work alongside them, and learn to assess options using life-cycle thinking rather than marketing claims.

The course finishes with the construction-site side of sustainability — waste reduction, low-impact methods and certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM and Green Globes — so participants can carry green material choices through to a certified, well-performing building.

Target Audience

• Architects and designers looking to incorporate sustainable materials and technologies into their projects.
• Engineers, builders and project managers delivering environmentally responsible, energy-efficient buildings.
• Sustainability consultants advising clients on the adoption of green building practices.
• Government and regulatory professionals overseeing building codes, certifications and environmental regulations.

Course Objectives

• Explain the principles of green building materials and their role in reducing environmental impact.
• Compare natural, recycled and renewable materials on durability, cost and environmental performance using life-cycle assessment.
• Apply energy-efficient building systems, renewable energy technologies and water-efficient solutions alongside material choices.
• Use green materials and design strategies to improve indoor air quality, daylighting and occupant well-being.
• Reduce construction waste through low-impact methods such as modular construction, prefabrication and material reuse.
• Navigate certification systems including LEED, BREEAM and Green Globes to validate sustainable material choices.

Module 1: The Case for Green Materials

• Why sustainability has become central to construction: environmental, economic and social drivers.
• Key characteristics of green materials: durability, recyclability, low embodied energy and material health.
• How global and regional standards are shaping material choices and green building trends.

Module 2: Choosing Materials Through Life-Cycle Thinking

• Natural materials (bamboo, straw bale, timber) and their sustainability profile.
• Recycled and renewable materials, including reclaimed wood, recycled steel and glass, cork and hempcrete.
• Using Life Cycle Assessment and tools such as Environmental Product Declarations to compare options objectively.

Module 3: Energy and Renewable Technologies in Green Buildings

• Passive design for natural heating, cooling and lighting, paired with high-performance windows and HVAC.
• Building automation and smart meters for optimising energy consumption.
• Solar, wind and geothermal technologies as renewable energy sources for buildings.

Module 4: Water-Efficient and Landscape Technologies

• Low-flow fixtures, greywater and rainwater harvesting for reducing water consumption.
• Sustainable landscaping: xeriscaping, native planting and eco-friendly materials.
• Green infrastructure for stormwater management, including green roofs, bioswales and permeable surfaces.

Module 5: Designing for Healthy, Comfortable Interiors

• Low-VOC materials and non-toxic finishes for better indoor air quality.
• Maximising daylighting and natural ventilation for occupant comfort.
• Biophilic design principles and their impact on well-being and productivity.

Module 6: Reducing Waste and Earning Certification

• Reducing, reusing and recycling construction materials, including deconstruction versus demolition.
• Low-impact construction methods: modular building, prefabrication and materials such as rammed earth and bamboo.
• Green building certifications — LEED, BREEAM and Green Globes — and the documentation needed to achieve them.