Sustainable building and design

Create a greener future with sustainable building and design

As climate change intensifies and resource depletion prompts growing concern, sustainable design isn't just a trend – it's a necessity. With a heightened focus on sustainable practices in architecture and design, embrace a career that champions innovation, cutting-edge technology and design excellence to create solutions that benefit society, the economy and the planet.

Top 50 university for sustainability

We’re placed 23rd globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024, consolidating our position as an active leader and contributor to solving the sustainability challenges facing our world.
A variety of course options

With 10+ courses aligned to sustainable building and design across architecture and industrial design, engineering and science, you can create a pathway tailored to your interests. Our engineering courses are professionally accredited.
Valuable industry experience

You’ll have opportunities to gain practical experience in sustainable building and design whilst earning credit towards your degree. Depending on your course, you may have access to industry-based learning placements or internships.
Global immersion guarantee

We offer first-year Monash students a funded overseas fieldwork unit as part of their undergraduate degree. Meet with local leaders, gain a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in implementing sustainable and innovative solutions, and be inspired to make change.

Preparing you for the future of work

Monash empowers you to not only adapt to the rapidly evolving future of work, but to drive change. Through entrepreneurial initiatives, overseas study tours, leadership programs, work placements, mentoring, and employability services, you'll have plenty of opportunities to develop the highly-sought after skills that set you apart.

Reducing carbon emissions through design

80%* of the carbon that a product-related company emits is locked up in their product designs. There's a growing demand for designers to use approaches and materials that are as efficient as possible.
Source: McKinsey and Company
Sustainability as a driver for economic success

Companies are leveraging sustainable manufacturing practices to not just reduce waste but to improve operational efficiency, gain competitive advantage, enhance regulatory compliance and reduce costs.
Source: Deloitte 2021 Climate Check survey
of Australia's carbon emissions are generated from its buildings*

By investing in green skills, Australia’s building sector can play a leading role in contributing to Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target.
Source: Australian Institute of Architects

23^%
Emerging technologies shaping construction

Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, 3D and 4D printing, drones, virtual reality and augmented reality are enabling the construction sector to become more sustainable across the lifecycle of buildings and structures.
Source: EY Global

Monash soars to 23rd globally in QS Sustainability Rankings 2024

Monash has soared 89 places to 23rd globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024, consolidating its position as an active leader and contributor to solving the sustainability challenges facing our world.

News story

Co-developing a sustainable future for the Citarum River

The Citarum River in Indonesia is a critical source of water, food and energy for over 25 million people, but is heavily polluted. Teams from across Monash are working with residents to explore community-led approaches for urban transformation.

News story

Putting engineering expertise to work on the plastic waste problem

PhD candidate Laila is viewing plastic waste as an opportunity rather than a burden, with a particular interest in valorising its chemical constituents for use in the green energy industry.

News story

Taking concrete action on more sustainable construction materials

Monash researchers are exploring alternative and greener base materials that can be reused, recycled, or upcycled for more environmentally-friendly construction materials.

Feature

Smaller, lighter lithium-sulphur battery lowers costs and improves recycling options

Monash researchers have developed a new lithium-sulphur battery design with a nanoporous polymer-coated lithium foil anode that reduces the amount of lithium required in a single battery.

News story

What if urban plans gave natural systems the space to recover from the cities built over them?

Cities are starting to restore natural systems such as waterways, wetlands and bushland. But restoration on the scale these systems need to function properly calls for a rethink of urban planning.

Feature

When it comes to sustainable fashion, one size doesn’t fit all

Fashion overproduction and overconsumption are at the heart of the industry’s problems. The suggestion that there’s a single silver bullet to fix what is an incredibly complex issue is far too simplistic.

Feature

Deadly innovation: Indigenous communities co-designing sustainable solutions

Monash researchers are co-designing solutions with Indigenous communities to increase Indigenous-led land, sea and water remediation, improve manufacturing capabilities and preserve native plant biodiversity.

News story

Meat freshness labels could replace use-by dates

The innovative approach, developed by Monash researchers, uses on-pack colour indicators made from natural plant materials and could be used to replace traditional ‘best before’ dates, reducing food waste.

News story

What skills do employers seek?

As technology advances at an exponential rate, industries are looking for new skill sets from graduates.

Monash experts predict that fundamental human abilities like creative problem solving, collaboration, emotional intelligence and adaptability will become the new benchmark as artificial intelligence and huge data sets drive innovation in the workplace.

Explore courses aligned with a career in sustainable building and design

With a wide range of study options available, we've curated a list of courses to help you carve out a career in sustainable building and design. You can also browse our full range of courses including double degrees. You may even consider combining an undergraduate degree with a more specialised graduate course to broaden your career prospects.

Whichever path you choose, you'll become part of a vibrant community, learn from some of the world's brightest minds, and graduate with the transferrable skills wanted by employers across all industries.

Undergraduate
Majors and specialisations
Graduate
Double degrees
Professional development

Single degrees

Double degrees

Majors, minors and specialisations are available in some undergraduate courses. They enable you to dive deeper into your area of interest and pursue your passion.

Majors and minors	Specialisations
Ecology and conservation biology Environmental science Geographical science Human geography Sustainability and responsible management	Architectural design Chemical engineering Civil engineering Environmental engineering Industrial design Materials engineering Mechanical engineering Spatial design

Graduate certificate

Graduate Certificate of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies
- Course code: S4005

Master's degrees

Net Zero Academy: Executive Leadership Program

Course code: PDU1010

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Keep exploring your future at Monash!

Sustainable building and design

Discover a career in sustainable building and design

Create a greener future with sustainable building and design

Top 50 university for sustainability

A variety of course options

Valuable industry experience

Global immersion guarantee

Preparing you for the future of work