Bricks and mortar are common building materials and without them the building would fail to fulfil its purpose. Alternative building materials have become more acceptable and desirable for modern residents. The use of alternative materials in construction is analogous to eLearning as a radical innovation in the education process. In this paper, the design and effective delivery of eLearning in Built Environment programmes (distance learning) is examined. Its purpose is to enhance student progression while decreasing attrition. The basic design components of an eLearning environment are presented and evaluated through findings from a mixed-method study. We find that students who take up components of eLearning are more aligned with their progression goals than those who do not. An area for further study has been identified as the portability of content on mobile devices.