Course Overview

Domain
Engineering
Format
Short Course
Duration
5 days
Fee Subsidy
Up to 90% SF Funding
Professional Development Units

PDU (SCEM) – Pending approval
PDU (PEB) – Pending approval

This course provides a comprehensive overview of low-carbon buildings, focusing on their significance for sustainable development goals with an emphasis on the engineering aspects of building design and operation.

It covers the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in building design, construction, and operation for low carbon buildings. The course also explores the role of building materials, construction techniques, and engineering systems in achieving low-carbon buildings. Various strategies, technologies, and approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in areas such as HVAC, electrical services, water resources, and indoor air quality will be discussed. The challenges, opportunities, and engineering solutions for low-carbon buildings in different contexts will be examined, along with an exploration of the policies, regulations, and incentives associated with low carbon buildings. The new SIT Punggol campus, home to two super low energy buildings, will be used as a living lab to demonstrate the best-in-class energy-efficient buildings.

Who Should Attend

  • Professionals in engineering, architecture, construction, building management, and environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on the design and operation of low carbon buildings

  • Policymakers, urban planners, developers, and individuals interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of the design, construction, and engineering aspects of low carbon buildings

  • Prior knowledge of sustainable building concepts is recommended but not required

Prerequisites
  • Participants should have a basic understanding of the design, construction, and operation principles of building energy systems

What You Will Learn

  • Understand the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in building design, construction, and operation for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings
  • Evaluate energy efficiency strategies, sustainable building design, green materials, renewable energy systems, indoor environmental quality, and building automation systems
  • Apply principles and methods to analyse, design, and operate energy-efficient and sustainable buildings
  • Utilise tools to assess the environmental impact and life cycle analysis of building materials and products
  • Conduct a building energy and sustainability audit and identify opportunities for improvement

Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to:

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of net-zero building principles, including design and construction strategies

  • Learn about building automation, energy management systems, and indoor environmental quality control

  • Explore sustainable water management, material usage, and advanced energy-efficient technologies

  • Understand performance metrics, building audits, and analysis to optimise efficiency

  • Acquire knowledge and skills to evaluate building performance

  • Learn the competency to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies that maximise building sustainability and occupant comfort and health in a net-zero energy and carbon context.

The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, hands-on exercises, and case studies. The delivery method will emphasise active participation and group activities to facilitate learning. Learners will also be provided with course materials and additional resources such as recommended readings, online resources, and case studies to enhance their understanding and skills.

Teaching Team

Er. Dr. Lock Kai Sang
Er. Dr. Lock Kai Sang

Professor, Engineering, Singapore Institute of Technology

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Steve Kardinal Jusuf
Steve Kardinal Jusuf

Associate Professor, Engineering, Singapore Institute of Technology

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Zhao Mingshan
Zhao Mingshan

Assistant Professor, Engineering, Singapore Institute of Technology

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Soh Chew Beng
Soh Chew Beng

Assoc Professor/Deputy Cluster Dir, Engineering, Singapore Institute of Technology

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Joseph Loh
Joseph Loh

Vice President, Business and Operation of G-Energy Global Pte Ltd

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Kevin Sturrock
Kevin Sturrock

Director, DP Lightning Pte Ltd

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Er. Leow Yock Keng
Er. Leow Yock Keng

Principal Manager, Green Mark Department (Environmental Sustainability Group), Building and Construction Authority

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Lal Jayamaha
Dr. Lal Jayamaha

Founder & CEO, LJ Energy Pte Ltd

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Gerry Wee
Gerry Wee Hwee Joon

Associate Vice President, Estates, Singapore Institute of Technology

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Ho Chee Kit
Ho Chee Kit

Chief Engineer and Net Zero Carbon Director, Cushman & Wakefield

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Schedule

Course RunDatesTime
August 202511 15 August 20259:00 am – 6:00 pm

    Topic: Introduction, green materials, sustainable design and construction

    SessionTopic
    Morning session 1

    Introduction to energy efficient and sustainable buildings 

    • Regulatory framework for the environmental sustainability of buildings
    • Singapore code of environmental sustainability for new and existing buildings
    • Singapore Green Mark standards and rating systems for new and existing buildings
       
    Morning session 2

    Sustainable building design

    • Integrated building design strategies (include collaborative design processes that involve all stakeholders from architects, engineers, and clients to contractors to create integrated sustainable building solutions)
    • Sustainable landscaping and site design (include stormwater management techniques, such as green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements, to minimize environmental impact and enhancing building performance)
    • Energy-efficient building envelope design (explore advanced topics like phase change materials for thermal regulation and smart glass technology)
    • Building information modeling (BIM) in sustainable design (demonstrate BIM-integrated energy modelling tools)

     

    Afternoon session 1

    Super low energy buildings 

    • Net-zero energy and carbon principles (clarify the distinction between net-zero operational energy, net-zero embodied carbon, net positive energy, with examples of each)
    • Optimising building design, orientation, shading, and ventilation
    • Super low energy building technology
    • Net-zero in urban contexts
    • Building whole life carbon and cost analysis
       
    Afternoon session 2

     Sustainable construction and green material 

    • Low-impact construction techniques
    • Embodied carbon in building materials
    • Sustainable building materials, their properties and selection
    • Circular economy principles in construction
    • Life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declaration (EPD) of building materials and products
    • Day 1 case study 2: Sustainable construction method and materials
       
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    Topic: HVAC systems and indoor environmental quality

    SessionTopic
    Morning session

    Efficient HVAC systems

    • HVAC systems and their role in carbon reduction
    • Smart sensors and IoT-based HVAC controls
    • Energy management systems and HVAC performance monitoring
    • Operational carbon footprint
    • District cooling systems
    • Emerging HVAC technologies
    • Heat pumps and thermal energy storage systems
    • HVAC Best-practice case study
       
    Afternoon session

    Indoor environmental quality

    • Overview of indoor environmental quality (IEQ)
    • Indoor air quality (IAQ) and its effects on human health and productivity
    • Ventilation and air conditioning for IAQ
    • Thermal comfort
    • Lighting and acoustics for occupant comfort
    • Building automation systems for IEQ control
    • Commissioning and post-occupancy evaluation
    • Strategies for improving IEQ

    Pathways to net-zero carbon

    • 2-hour sharing sessions by guest speakers – presentations and panel discussion, including retrofitting existing buildings and leveraging renewable energy credits, operation and maintenance
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    Topic: Energy Efficient Lighting and Sustainable Building Services

    SessionTopic
    Morning session

    Light – Visual Planning & Design for Low Carbon & WELL Buildings 

    • Lighting in low carbon and WELL buildings
    • Good-practice lighting design & lighting control principles using daylight and electric light
    • Green Mark and WELL standard lighting benchmarks
    • Latest technological advances in LED efficacies and associated LOR’s (light-output-ratios) and glare control
    • Example case studies and lighting demonstrations 
       
    Afternoon session

    Energy efficient electrical services 

    • Energy efficient electrical design
    • Energy efficient electrical installations and building electricity distribution
    • Low carbon building electrical technology
    • Energy efficient motor-driven systems
    • Ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable electrical services

    Building Energy Management System (BEMS)

    • BEMS key components and architecture
    • Functionalities of BEMS
    • Key technologies in BEMS
    • Building energy performance monitoring, management and optimisation
    • Examples of successful BEMS implementation in low-carbon buildings
       
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    Topic: Renewable Energy Systems, Smart Technologies, and Site Visit to Net-Zero Building

    SessionTopic
    Morning session

    Renewable energy systems and emerging technologies 

    • Introduction to renewable energy systems
    • Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
    • Energy storage systems
    • Onsite generation and microgrid
    • Renewable energy integration and energy storage for net-zero buildings
    • Emerging technologies for super low energy buildings
    • Smart technologies and internet of things
       
    Afternoon session

    Learning from site visits to SIT sustainable Punggol Campus buildings and facilities

    • The new SIT Punggol campus, home to two Super Low Energy buildings, will be used as a living lab to demonstrate the best-in-class energy-efficient buildings
    • Sharing of sustainable development of campus development project 
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    Topic: Building energy/sustainability audit, and class assessment

    SessionTopic
    Morning session

    Energy/sustainability performance measurement and verification

    • Assessment methods to quantify energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings
    • Energy audits and benchmarking
    • Energy performance indicators
    • Energy/sustainability audit practical session
    • Preparation of energy/sustainability audit report, complete with performance evaluation and recommendations
       
    Afternoon session

    Class assessment & debriefing

    • Assessment
      • Group Assessment: Building operation and maintenance best practices for sustainable buildings
      • Class individual assessment quiz
    • Debriefing
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    Certificate and Assessment

    A Certificate of Attainment will be issued to participants who

    • Attend at least 75% of the course;
    • Undertake and pass non-credit bearing assessment during the course

    Participants who meet the attendance requirement but do not pass the assessment will receive a Certificate of Participation.

     
    Assessment Plan

    Learners will be assessed based on their engagement, participation, and successful completion of an energy/sustainability evaluation report.

    Fee Structure

    The full fee for this course is S$5,450.00.

    Category After SF Funding
    Singapore Citizen (Below 40) S$1,635.00
    Singapore Citizen (40 & Above) S$635.00
    Singapore PR / LTVP+ Holder S$1,635.00
    Non-Singapore Citizen S$5,450.00 (No Funding)


    Note: All fees above include GST. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.

    Course Runs

    August 2025
    calendar-day
    11 Aug 2025 - 15 Aug 2025
    clock-five
    5 days
    delivery-mode
    In-person
    map-marker
    SIT Punggol Campus, 1 Punggol Coast Road, Singapore 828608
    dollar-sign
    SGD $5,450.00
    Up to 90% SF Funding
    Apply By:
    20 Jul 2025 23:59