For architects and other architecture, engineering, and construction industry (AEC) professionals, staying current with the latest trends and practices in sustainable design is not just an ideal—it's a responsibility to work toward a greener built environment.  

To help support your professional growth in this area, we’re offering a multi-part, live continuing education (CE) training opportunity for architects who want to be leaders in sustainable design. Taught by award-winning educator, author, and LEED® accredited architect Rob Fleming, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, this multi-part immersive workshop series will help you hone your design charrette skills and learn environmentally friendly approaches––including design for net-zero carbon––to achieve high-performing sustainable projects that address the climate crisis, increase social well-being, and achieve resilience capability. These two online courses, each worth 3 Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning units, will be delivered live during May and June 2025 and feature hands-on, interactive sessions. Both courses also qualify for Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) CE credit. 

Register for one or both Master Class: Leading Collaboration in Sustainable Design courses now to earn up to 6 LUs. 

Register for Master Class

Master Class Part 1: May 2025, 3 HSW LU

Delivered across three consecutive, one-hour sessions, the first course will focus on the origins, rationale, emerging themes, and key practices necessary for delivering a successful, goal-oriented sustainable design charrette. Upon completing all three sessions, participants will gain an understanding of critical sustainability terminology and practical approaches, including net-zero energy, embodied carbon energy reductions, environmentally friendly materials, wellness design strategies, and climate resilience.  

  • Session 1 (May 9 at Noon ET): In session 1, you’ll learn to identify the changing social, environmental, and economic drivers that make sustainable design charrettes a high-impact method to achieve high-level sustainability goals.  
  • Session 2 (May 16 at Noon ET): In session 2, you will analyze the emerging trends in design facilitation with a deep focus on stakeholder engagement techniques and multi-disciplinary collaborations. 
  • Session 3 (May 23 at Noon ET): In session 3, you’ll learn how to collaboratively write guiding principles and establish goals to ensure a successful design charrette, as well as how to develop a design brief for a successful sustainable design charrette. 

Participants must attend all three sessions to earn 3 HSW learning units. Part one registration fee is $150 for the general public and $100 for NCARB Certificate holders. Register now for Master Class Course #1.  

Master Class Part 2: June 2025, 3 HSW LU

Split into two, 1.5-hour-long sessions with a smaller class size, this course builds upon learnings from Master Class Part 1 and focuses on stakeholder collaboration in a goal-oriented sustainable design charrette. Upon completing the two sessions, participants will be equipped to facilitate the process of developing and executing sustainable design charettes in a team setting. Participants must attend both sessions of Master Class #2 to earn 3 HSW learning units. 

  • Session 1 (June 13 at Noon ET): In session 1, you’ll learn how to empower stakeholders to provide useful design input into a sustainable design project and how to co-create multiple design schemes with stakeholder groups to meet pre-established goals. 
  • Session 2 (June 20 at Noon ET): In session 2, you’ll learn how to work with stakeholders to evaluate an array of design schemes that best reflect the guiding principles for a design project. You’ll also learn how to use a multi-voting process to elevate the design ideas for a sustainable design project. 

Participants must attend Master Class #1 in order to register for Master Class #2. Master Class #2 is limited capacity, so be sure to register before seats run out! 

The fee for parts one and two combined is $450 for the general public and $375 for NCARB Certificate holders. Register now for both Part 1 and Part 2.  

More About the Course Facilitator: Rob Fleming, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA 

Rob Fleming is an award-winning educator, author, LEED-accredited professional, and architect. He has 30 years of experience in sustainability leadership and is a strong advocate for a just and sustainable future. Rob is the director of Sustainability at FCA, an architecture and design firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he leads the effort to accelerate the integration of sustainability on every project. Rob is also a fellow at the Center for Environmental Building + Design at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design.  

Rob has over 25 years of delivering professional sustainable design charrette facilitation to a wide range of clients and project types, including projects receiving LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certifications. Rob’s dynamic and empathetic facilitation style has helped hundreds of stakeholders gain a voice in the design process and dozens of clients empower their employees to co-create the design of their own spaces and places. 

Register for the live sustainable design charette master classes being offered in May and June 2025.