Certificate in Conservation, Sustainability & Adaptive Reuse
Course Overview
Introduction to Retrofit, Sustainability, and Building Conservation
This one-semester course gives learners a base level of knowledge in a rapidly expanding field.
This programme is designed to introduce and explore the concepts and practices of retrofit, conservation, sustainability, and planning and building control. The programme aims to enable the learner to engage in innovative and creative technical design case studies within these disciplines.
Springboard+ places are now full, but you can apply directly to Griffith College.
Why study Conservation, Sustainability & Adaptive Reuse at Griffith College?
In today’s climate, sustainability is a key priority - and the construction industry is no exception. The rise of conservation projects has created a growing demand for skilled retrofit professionals who can maximise the potential of the existing built environment. At the same time, evolving legislation and health and safety requirements mean industry professionals must stay up to date with best practices.
The programme is delivered through a mixture of online lectures and on-campus workshops, which take place in the evenings/at weekends to allow for minimal disruption to the working day. Other reasons to consider this course include:
- Learners will gain advanced knowledge and understanding of how to adhere to Irish legislation and legislative change, including building laws and statutory instruments, building regulations (fire safety and disability access), building control and associated theory, sustainability (including BER auditing) and the Construction Products Directive.
- Learners have the opportunity to specialise/gain unique skills that can be implemented in a range of innovative, highly advanced and therefore sought-after projects.
- The course has been developed with input from a wide range of disciplines within the construction sector.
- Learners will develop transferable skills that may open them up to broader, international job opportunities.
- The course is managed by Griffith’s long-standing Design Faculty and is delivered by experts from the industry.
- The combination of online and on-campus lectures allows for minimal disruption to the typical working day.
This programme is an embedded special-purpose award in the Diploma in Conservation, Sustainability & Adaptive Reuse programme. Graduates of this programme can progress directly to the diploma on completion, or within five years of their graduation.
Course Highlights
- Designed to meet the skills required by industry
- Provides a solid base for those looking to advance their knowledge of Conservation, Sustainability & Adaptive Reuse
- Develops learner’s understanding of legislation in relation to conservation
- Flexible study mode to allow minimal disruption to working day
- Friendly, approachable staff (who are experts in their fields) provide a supportive learning environment
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026
Course Details
Course Modules
This module develops learners' understanding of conservation as a specialist element and facilitates their incorporation of this concept in their project work as appropriate. The module supports the learner’s capability to make informed choices concerning the most current conservation strategies for specific projects, and understand one’s own limitations and the requirement to engage external specialised knowledge on a project. Learners will also develop the ability to formulate a conservation condition survey and report.
This module enables the learner to understand sustainability as a necessary element within the built environment and implement this concept in their project work. Learners are introduced to the concept of sustainability and its role in the design, construction and use of the built environment. The concept is further developed to consider the wider context of climate change, energy sources and efficiencies, the circular economy, reduce/reuse/recycle strategies, and environmental ethics. Learners are encouraged to embrace sustainable design within the context of current legislation and regulations.
This module provides learners with an overview of the legal and statutory and associated requirements relevant to the built environment. While Irish law is the main context for the module, many aspects of European law are highlighted and discussed throughout, as relevant to the sector. Thus learners are provided with a comprehensive overview of the important aspects of law that affect building industry businesses in operation in Ireland and the European Union.
Course Contact
- Dublin Main Campus
Timetables
This part-time programme runs two evenings (Tuesday & Thursday) per week from 6.30 pm -9.45 pm and every second Saturday from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm for 1 semester (15 weeks).
Year 2026
September 2026 - Dates to be confirmed
Please contact [email protected] for further information.
How to Apply
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from the time of application.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin Main Campus: €2549.00
(Inclusive of Tuition Fee €2200.00, Academic Administration Fee €250.00, 2% Learner Protection Charge (€49.00) and €50.00 QQI Award fee)
Progression
Career Progression:
These skills are particularly useful if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, looking to upskill, or are returning to the workplace.
Educational progression:
- Graduates of this programme can progress directly to the Diploma in Conservation, Sustainability & Adaptive Reuse on completion, or within five years of their graduation.
- This course also provides a pathway to Construction Management-related programmes.
