Online Series Begins Jan. 4, 2023
The Sustainable Home Building Accelerator
This intensive, interactive online series of courses is designed to rapidly advance your knowledge of sustainable home design and construction. Whether you’re an architect, builder, or a homeowner, we'll give you the information and confidence to design and build well-crafted, practical homes that maximize performance and comfort.
From Emily Mottram and The Authors of The Pretty Good House
AIA Approved 8 HSW/LU Credits
RESNET 8 PD Credits | Quality Assurance Designees and Instructors
The Sustainable Home Building Accelerator
A companion to the best-selling Pretty Good House book, this intensive, interactive online course is designed to rapidly advance your knowledge of sustainable home design and construction, giving you the information and confidence to design and build a well-crafted, practical house that maximizes performance and comfort.
AIA Approved 8 HSW/LU Credits
RESNET 8 PD Credits | Quality Assurance Designees and Instructors
Series Contents
Advance Your High-Performance Home Expertise
Pace your education by taking individual courses or buy the three-course package for a comprehensive understanding of how to design and build a complete Pretty Good House. Save $148 when you buy all three.
Interested in a payment plan? Click here to learn more.
Buy All 3 Courses and Save
A $1,047 value available for $899
This comprehensive package includes all three courses (8+ hours of lessons), plus exclusive access to our community discussion forum.
AIA Approved 8 HSW/LU Credits
RESNET 8 PD Credits | Quality Assurance Designees and Instructors
Team Pricing Available by Request
Contact Us for Team Discount
Empower your people with the training and knowledge to elevate your business and distinguish your design and construction services.
CONTACT USDesign
Jan. 4, 2023
$349
Take an in-depth look at Pretty Good House principles around site location and layout, and how to engineer an energy-efficient home while staying within a budget.
COURSE INCLUDES:
3+ hours of video lessons, digital construction graphics, expert guests, live round table discussion, and Q&A
Building Envelope
Jan. 18, 2023
$349
Study ways to build a resilient, comfortable home using cutting-edge foundation and framing options and modern products and materials that are durable and resource-efficient.
COURSE INCLUDES:
3+ hours of video lessons, digital construction graphics, expert guests, live round-table discussion, and Q&A
Mechanicals & Air Quality
Feb. 1, 2023
$349
Learn to select the right-sized mechanical systems and how to incorporate renewable energy sources to achieve long term comfort and savings.
COURSE INCLUDES:
2+ hours of video lessons, digital construction graphics, expert guests, live round-table discussion, and Q&A
What You'll Learn
- Understanding your climate
- Regulatory and infrastructure constraints
- Building a design and construction team
- Location and site characteristics
- Establishing the optimum home size
- Designing for function, comfort, resilience, and security
- Calculating the economics of performance
What You'll Learn
- Foundation and framing options that maximize efficiency
- What goes in the walls: Insulation, electric, plumbing, HVAC ducting
- Air sealing and air barriers
- Water and vapor control above and below ground
- Window and door options and installation details
What You'll Learn
-
Heating and cooling: demands and options
-
How to right-size equipment to maximize performance
-
Ventilation choices and design
-
Dehumidification systems
-
Water heating and distribution
-
Renewable energy sources
-
Efficient lighting and electricity options
Advance Your High-Performance Home Expertise
Pace your education by taking individual courses or buy the three-course package for a comprehensive understanding of how to design and build a complete Pretty Good House. Save $148 when you buy all three.
Buy All 3 Courses Now and Save
A $1,047 value available for $899
This comprehensive package includes all three courses (8+ hours of lessons), plus exclusive access to our community discussion forum.
SIGN UP NOW
Choose High-Performance Mechanicals
Feb. 1, 2023
$349
Select the right-sized mechanical systems and incorporate renewable energy sources to achieve long term comfort and savings.
COURSE INCLUDES:
2+ hours of video lessons, digital construction graphics, expert guests, live round-table discussion, and Q&A
SIGN UP NOWWhat You'll Learn
-
Heating and cooling: demands and options
-
How to right-size equipment to maximize performance
-
Ventilation choices and design
-
Dehumidification systems
-
Water heating and distribution
-
Renewable energy sources
-
Efficient lighting and electricity options
Team Pricing Available
Contact Us for Team Discount
Empower your people with the training and knowledge to elevate your business and distinguish your design and construction services.
CONTACT USFrom Emily Mottram and the authors of The Pretty Good House
The Sustainable Home Building Accelerator
A companion to the best-selling Pretty Good House book, this intensive, interactive online series of courses is designed to rapidly advance your knowledge of sustainable home design and construction, giving you the tools and confidence to design and build a well-crafted, affordable house that maximizes performance and comfort.
Sign UpCourse Schedule
Jan. 4, 2023
Design
Jan. 18, 2023
Building Envelope
Feb. 1, 2023
Mechanical Systems and Air Quality
Designing Proven, Practical Homes
Pretty Good House provides a framework and set of guidelines for building or renovating a high-performance home that focus both on its inhabitants and the environment—but keeps in mind that few people have pockets deep enough to achieve a “perfect” solution. The essential idea is for homeowners to work within their financial and practical constraints both to meet their own needs and do as much for the planet as possible.
Receive 25% off the Pretty Good House book when you sign up for any Accelerator course.
Designing Proven,
Practical Homes
Pretty Good House provides a framework and set of guidelines for building or renovating a high-performance home that focus both on its inhabitants and the environment—but keeps in mind that few people have pockets deep enough to achieve a “perfect” solution. The essential idea is for homeowners to work within their financial and practical constraints both to meet their own needs and do as much for the planet as possible.
Receive 25% off the Pretty Good House book when you sign up for any Accelerator course.
“ If you’re planning to build a custom home, you should buy three copies: one to keep, one to give to your designer, and one to give to your builder. ”
- Martin Holladay, former editor of GreenBuildingAdvisor
“ But anyone—a client, designer or builder—can pick up the Pretty Good House book and get a good idea of how to build a beautiful, efficient, right-sized home made of the right materials. It's all reasonable, sensible, useful information written by experienced designers and builders who actually know how to communicate. This is a rare treat. ”
- Lloyd Alter, TreeHugger.com
“ While homeowners will find this book indispensable for creating their dream house, the trades will equally eat it up, turning over every well-communicated concept. Kudos to the authors and their publisher for this essential guide to where we all want to live. ”
- Julia Bassett Scherwin, for Green & Healthy Maine HOMES
“ This book is written very well by a group of people who really care about building a high-quality product that is good for a durable and healthy building. Don't let the title fool you, A Pretty Good House is a very, very good house. ”
- Greg W.
“ This book has a really good mix of different builds, building science, and in-depth explanations of why it matters. Thanks for making such important information so accessible. ”
- Jen Jobart
“ This book is written by leaders in the housing industry that really know building science, sustainability, and health for homes. If everyone was able to read this book it could change the entire industry for the better. ”
- Macht
“ If you’re planning to build a custom home, you should buy three copies: one to keep, one to give to your designer, and one to give to your builder. ”
- Lloyd Alter, TreeHugger.com
“ But anyone—a client, designer or builder—can pick up the Pretty Good House book and get a good idea of how to build a beautiful, efficient, right-sized home made of the right materials. It's all reasonable, sensible, useful information written by experienced designers and builders who actually know how to communicate. This is a rare treat. ”
- Martin Holladay, GreenBuildingAdvisor
“ While homeowners will find this book indispensable for creating their dream house, the trades will equally eat it up, turning over every well-communicated concept. Kudos to the authors and their publisher for this essential guide to where we all want to live. ”
- Julia Bassett Scherwin, for Green & Healthy Maine HOMES
“ This book is written very well by a group of people who really care about building a high-quality product that is good for a durable and healthy building. Don't let the title fool you, A Pretty Good House is a very, very good house. ”
- Greg W.
“ This book has a really good mix of different builds, building science, and in-depth explanations of why it matters. Thanks for making such important information so accessible. ”
- Jen Jobart
“ This book is written by leaders in the housing industry that really know building science, sustainability, and health for homes. If everyone was able to read this book it could change the entire industry for the better. ”
- Macht
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Emily Mottram
Emily is an architect and principal of Mottram Architecture. She developed an interest in building science and sustainable design in college, where she was inspired to design healthy, durable and energy efficient homes that are also comfortable and beautiful. She is a building science educator, co-host on “The BS & Beer Show” and hosts a monthly podcast “E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily,” where she focuses on building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship.
She collaborated with Dan Kolbert, Michael Maines, and Christopher Briley on a recently released book The Pretty Good House. The book illustrates a framework and set of guidelines for building or renovating a high-performance home that focuses on its inhabitants and the environment while keeping a manageable budget in mind. This course is built around those core PGH principles.
FEATURING AUTHORS OF PRETTY GOOD HOUSE
Michael Maines
Michael Maines is a residential designer specializing in energy-efficient homes, sensitive renovations, and custom kitchens. He is a contributing editor to Fine Homebuilding magazine.
Dan Kolbert
Dan Kolbert is a carpenter and contractor, and for the past 10 years has been moderator of the original building science discussion group in Portland, Maine, where the Pretty Good House idea originated.
Christopher Briley
Christopher Briley is principal architect at BRIBURN, a firm that designs and creates spaces that are energy efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly and that enhance the lives of their residents.
Continuing Education Credits Available
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
The Taunton Press Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 404109297. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
For details on documenting RESNET Quality Assurance Designee or Instructor Professional Development Credits, contact Scott Doyle, Technical Director, Quality Assurance & Training.
Continuing Education Credits Available
AIA
The Taunton Press Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 404109297. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
RESNET
For details on documenting RESNET Quality Assurance Designee or Instructor Professional Development Credits, contact Scott Doyle, Technical Director, Quality Assurance & Training.