The Certificate in Sustainable Furniture Design and Production is a practice-oriented program that introduces learners to the principles, processes, and business considerations of creating environmentally responsible furniture.
Students explore sustainability as a design mindset—examining ecological impact, material life cycles, ethical production, and long-term use—while grounding their learning in local contexts and small-scale production.
The course develops skills in concept development, material selection, and fabrication strategies, with a focus on locally sourced and renewable materials. Participants learn to design furniture that is functional, durable, and culturally relevant while considering sustainable production and business practices.
The program culminates in a capstone proposal for a sustainable furniture piece that brings together the concepts and skills learned throughout the course.
Duration: 1 semester or approximately 4 to 5 months.
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SCHEDULE:
HYFLEX
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | June 1, 2026 - October 2, 2026
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COURSE OUTLINE:
Course 1: Foundations of Sustainable Furniture Design | June 1, 2026 to June 19, 2026
Session 1 - Introduction to Sustainability in Furniture and Product Design
Session 2 - Environmental Impact of Furniture: Global and Local Perspectives
Session 3 - Principles of Sustainable and Regenerative Design
Session 4 - Design Ethics and Social Responsibility
Session 5 - Life-Cycle Thinking and Cradle-to-Cradle Concepts
Session 6 - Human-Centered and Context-Driven Furniture Design
Session 7 - Cultural Relevance and Vernacular Influences in Furniture
Session 8 - Case Studies of Sustainable Furniture Designers and Studios
Session 9 - Design Reflection and Sustainability Mindset
Course 2: Sustainable Materials and Local Alternatives | June 22, 2026 to July 10,
2026
Session 1 - Overview of Sustainable Material Categories
Session 2 - Wood: Certified Timber, Reclaimed Wood, and Engineered Alternatives
Session 3 - Bamboo, Rattan, and Rapidly Renewable Materials
Session 4 - Agricultural Waste and Bio-Based Materials
Session 5 - Metals, Plastics, and Composites: Risks and Responsible Use
Session 6 - Finishes, Adhesives, and Low-VOC Solutions
Session 7 - Local Sourcing and Material Availability Assessment
Session 8 - Material Experimentation and Comparison Methods
Session 9 - Material Selection Matrix and Sustainability Evaluation
Course 3: Responsible Production and Fabrication Methods | July 13, 2026 to July 31, 2026
Session 1 - Traditional vs. Industrial Furniture Production Systems
Session 2 - Impact Fabrication Processes
Session 3 - Craft-Based and Small-Batch Production Models
Session 4 - Energy Use and Waste Reduction Workshops
Session 5 - Design for Efficient Cutting and Assembly
Session 6 - Digital Tools and CNC in Sustainable Production
Session 7 - Health, Safety, and Ergonomics in Furniture Making
Session 8 - Quality Control and Responsible Manufacturing Standards
Session 9 - Production Planning for Sustainability
Course 4: Design for Durability, Repair, and Reuse | August 3, 2026 to August 21, 2026
Session 1 - The Benefits of Plantscaping in Interiors
Session 2 - Selecting Indoor Plants for Various Environments
Session 3 - Basics of Floral Arrangement Techniques
Session 4 - Styling with Greenery: Pots, Vases, and Displays
Session 5 - Maintaining and Caring for Plants and Flowers
Session 6 - Upcycling Containers for Plant Displays
Session 7 - Plantscaping for Residential and Commercial Spaces
Session 8 - Practical Exercise: Design a Green Corner
Session 9 - Showcase: Styled Greenery and Floral Arrangement
Course 5: Business Sustainability for Furniture Makers | August 24, 2026 to September 11, 2026
Session 1 - Sustainability and Value Creation in Furniture Businesses
Session 2 - Ethical Supply Chains and Partnerships
Session 3 - Costing, Pricing, and Material Transparency
Session 4 - Small-Scale and Local Furniture Enterprise Models
Session 5 - Branding and Storytelling for Sustainable Furniture
Session 6 - Certifications, Standards, and Green Claims
Session 7 - Marketing Channels and Customer Education
Session 8 - Measuring Impact: Environmental and Social Metrics
Session 9 - Business Sustainability Strategy Workshop
Course 6: Capstone - Sustainable Furniture Concept Proposal | September
14, 2026 to October 2, 2026
Session 1 - Capstone Briefing and Project Criteria
Session 2 - Research and Problem Identification
Session 3 - Concept Development and Sustainability Goals
Session 4 - Material and Production Strategy Integration
Session 5 - Preliminary Design Presentation and Critique
Session 6 - Design Refinement and Technical Detailing
Session 7 - Business and Sustainability Justification
Session 8 - Final Proposal Preparation
Session 9 - Capstone Presentation and Review
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PAYMENT TERMS:
Payment for Credit/Debit Card, GrabPay, Gcash, Paymaya, and Buy Now Pay Later via BillEase and Atome Installment Plan is now available through PayMongo upon CHECK OUT.
Enrolling students can settle tuition for this course in full upon enrollment or avail of our 2-part or Monthly Installment plans. Upon checkout, please click on the appropriate payment term to confirm your initial enrollment.
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Full Payment
- Upon Enrollment: PHP 65,000.00
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2 - Part Installment Payment
- 1st Installment: PHP 34,000.00
- 2nd Installment: PHP 34,000.00
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4 - Part Installment Payment
- 1st Installment: PHP 35,500.00
- 2nd Installment: PHP 11,833.33
- 3rd Installment: PHP 11,833.33
- 4th Installment: PHP 11,833.33
- 12-Part Installment Plan (via Bukas)
- If you choose to avail of this installment plan, please get in touch with our Admission Office at admissions@sofa.edu.ph
NOTE: For students availing the 2-part or Monthly Installment plans, succeeding payments may be settled directly with our Finance Office. Post-dated checks will be required for all installment plans.
For more information, kindly email admissions@sofa.edu.ph.