Ecosa Institute: Enrolling Now for a Sustainable Future
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 1.06
Over TreeHugger's relatively short but fast-paced life, it has been amazing to watch as sustainability has really begun to enter the collective conscious of the mainstream world. While we like to think we've played a part in this, it's really the work of people like Tony Brown and the Ecosa Institute (see our interview with Tony here) who give us stuff to write about. The Ecosa Institute is fostering a new, very TreeHugger design philosophy based on nature, and they want to teach it to you! They're doing fabulous work teaching the next generation of architects, designers and other professionals working with built environments that sustainability and design are not only no longer mutually exclusive, but totally complementary. The Ecosa Program is also a career exploration program, where students get an example of what it's like to work on real projects in a professional setting, as well as get exposure to the various professional options that a career in sustainability can provide. Concepts on the syllabus include passive solar design, permaculture, site assessment, alternative materials and their selection, and active solar design. For non-architects and architects alike, the work exemplifies holistic thinking in action, as well as reveals the challenges and rewards of creating feasible, practicable change for a sustainable society. We highly recommend the program to anyone interested in sustainable design; enrollment for the Spring semester is open now, and that one semester will change your whole career. For more information on the program and enrollment, visit the website; check out some examples of student work: affordable townhomes in Phoenix, an entry into the Cradle-to-Cradle home competition and some urban renewal in downtown Prescott. ::Ecosa Institute
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I'm actually going to school there right now, and the program is revolutionary in terms of how it integrates real world sustainability, theory, and real projects. The speakers are good, and the personal attention you get is unparalleled.
As an Architecture student who's been marginalized for being an environmental keener, it's refreshing to experience a program like this with an environmentally sensitive starting point. The program tends to run with about half architecture students and half students from other disciplines, and this cross-fertilization of disciplines makes for a vibrant community.
The application process may look daunting, but don't let that dissuade you. It's a high quality program that's still flying under the radar. Chances of being accepted are still high.
I'm a 2002 Ecosa alum.
We had 9 students in our group that fall semester, and it was absolutly a wonderful experience. Although it may take some work to get your school to work with you on transferring credit or fitting it into your schedule, it is so totally worth it.
Tony Brown is amazing, the students are diverse, and the surroundings are beautiful! You really can't ask for more!
I'm happy to talk to anyone who is thinking about going. Just shoot me an email at albertsp@email.uc.edu.
- Steve Albert
I'm also an Ecosa alum and I cannot express enough how incredibly valuable the program was, and continues to be, in my life.
It helped me to envision the beautiful and necessary marriage between the aesthetically innovative design mentality that presides in architectural schools and the reality of sustainable design - Tony lives and teaches this along with fantastic visiting faculty in such a way that I have felt empowered to carry it out.
I would not, and could not, be doing the research and work that I do now without Ecosa, it truly is that simple.
Please also feel free to email me at meganann@mail.utexas.edu.
I attended Ecosa's summer "hands-on Sustainable Materials & Methods workshop".
I'm a residential designer and business owner that approached the class with limited knowledge about sustainability and a strong desire to learn and bring the information back to my clients.
This course shifted the direction of my design work in a way that has brought more meaning and fulfillment to my life. It gave me the necessary mindset and skills to investigate sustainability options for myself and share those ideas with others. In addition to my personal work, the course set me on a path of becoming more involved with my community.
Another positive aspect of this course was the representation of students from all over the country. It was inspiring to hear about their diverse backgrounds and see where they hoped to go with their new knowledge.
Please feel free to contact me at chandra@cfhdesignstudio.com
I spoke with Tony Brown for a while today about Ecosa and am greatly looking forward to beginning the program there, most likely in fall 2007. My work experience is in arts administration, editing, writing, and publicity. I am wondering if anyone who has attended the Ecosa Institute has insights into career opportunities involving publicity, journalism, and sustainable design. I'm sure there is a lot out there, but the combination of these fields is fairly new to me. I would appreciate any insight you may have! Thanks.
xylia_b@hotmail.com