Sustainable Housing : A Systems-Based Approach

Sustainable Housing: A Systems-based Approach introduces students to the issues and processes that must be considered when developing sustainable housing, particularly housing that can approach net-zero energy performance. 

The book considers the history of American thinking as it relates to the environment and development. It addresses challenges in community development, particularly the need to develop affordable housing and how such housing can also be made sustainable. It examines the relationship between energy and housing, and the separate but important relationship between water resources and housing. Finally, it explains the basic concepts of building science. 

The material is rooted in a technological and systems-based approach. Thus, it examines how community systems, energy and water systems, and building systems work. For each of these systems, the book also identifies and evaluates the inherent technological component. 

Sustainable Housing is written for introductory courses in housing, community development, and building science.

Robert Seavey earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, where he is currently a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering. He has also served as the major coordinator for the sustainable systems management major at the University of Minnesota. He is the 2016 recipient of the Richard C. Newman Art of Teaching Award. His research and teaching interests include the challenges and opportunities in respect to energy consumption, resource conservation and wilderness restoration, and affordable housing worldwide. He is a member of the Society of Wood Science and within it has served as the chair of the Education and Accreditation Committee.