Foundations of Regenerative Ecological Design

Students develop and hone their skills in project planning, collaboration, creativity, and the design process as they work individually and in diverse groups on multiple design challenges.

ECOSA's core curriculum is based on an interwoven tapestry of 7 “Threads” 

• Regenerative Ecological Design
• Technical Skills and Technologies
• Ecological Literacy 
• Sustainable Community Development
• Communication Design 
• Whole Systems Design
• Art and Culture 

Learn from the Ecologies of Arizona

Field trips are considered a core part of the 12-week program. You can expect to participate in some of the following experiences

• 3-Day Aboriginal Living Skills trip with instructor Cody Lundin
• Sunset Crater, Wupatki, Hopi Reservation
• Tucson – Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac
• Rainwater harvesting and ecological living with Brad Lancaster
• Arcosanti, Cosanti and Taliesin West 

Study with Industry Leaders

Your instructors are leaders in the fields of: ecology, alternative technologies, urban planning, community design, alternative building systems, biomimicry, permaculture, and the patterns of nature, including:  

• Jesse Hernreich, Oakhaven Permaculture Center 
• Mark Lakeman, Communitecture and City Repair, Portland, OR 
• Mark Riegner, Professor of Evolutionary Theory (Patterns in Nature) 
• Brad Lancaster, Rainwater Harvester, Tucson, AZ 
• Michael Ben-Eli, Sustainability Laboratory, New York, NY 
• Cynthia Fishman, Biomimicry and Denver Does Design, Denver, CO
• Walt Anderson, Professor of Environmental Studies

Get Experience Working on Real Projects 

One of the unique aspects of ECOSA is project work. Check out our Projects Page and read more about the varied and interesting projects accomplished by past ECOSA students.

Students are currently working on some aspects of redesigning the college campus. Project work is your chance to operate in the “real world” with actual clients, budgets and demands. Critical thinking, self-motivation and collaboration are the keys to a successful team as you listen to and assess the client’s needs, develop appropriate strategies and plans, and craft a solid visual and oral presentation.