Ecological Design as Framework of the Sustainable Systems (MS3) Curriculum: A Historical Review of Achievements, Challenges and Community Outreach in Architecture for Sustainability

This work aims at recognizing contributions of ecological design projects when these were applied to the construction, or remodeling of buildings, including the campus landscape, at the Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research (RAMC), of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. This is a 33.6 hectares facility on the eastern edge of the university campus, that since 1990 has been offering a plethora of academic courses, community events and similar programs to spur education in sustainability. Keystone features of this living laboratory are its two buildings: Harmony House and adjacent timber-frame barn. The construction of the barn and four, main renovation projects at the house were driven by students in the MS3 program under their professors’ guidance, between 1991 and 2004. These endeavors remain tangible historical records of this unique master’s curriculum, its passionate community of learners and the university support for an ecological design approach that fostered experiential learning for all students (especially, those enrolled in the built-environment track), of the MS3 program. The buildings demonstrate architectural versatility and applications of the regenerative principles of sustainable design. These included using natural materials and alternative construction methods, whereas participatory team design approach was adopted as a distinctive curriculum emphasis.