Saunas that exude authentic Nordic minimalism and elegance promote wellness, relaxation, meditation, and socialization. There are many different types of saunas for private or public purposes, but a few unique features and finishing options set some sauna designs apart. This course explains why the sauna has a much deeper tradition than wellness and discusses the considerations for selecting a ready-made or tailor-made sauna solution.

In an architectural practice, time is money. Without proper tracking and allocation of time there is no way to understand and manage profitability on your projects. In this webinar, we will discuss time tracking via buckets, calendar blocking, and a work-life balance.

Thermal modification is a tried and tested process for increasing the durability of wood while maintaining a warm aesthetic in building design. This course examines all aspects of this sustainable wood product and how it can be incorporated into a variety of projects.

Recent changes in North America energy codes for the building envelope include higher insulation R-values, continuous insulation, and continuous air barriers for air leakage control. New, code compliant wall assembly design options may be susceptible to increased moisture sensitivity due to lower drying rates, which are inherent to energy efficient assemblies but could be further impacted by design detailing and materials choices. Improved energy efficiency does not need to come at the expense of the long term performance and durability of buildings. This seminar will address design options and materials choices for energy efficient and durable wall design. Design tools for advanced moisture analysis (WUFI®, Wärme und Feuchte Instationär, or Transient Heat and Moisture Analysis) will be used to show how to predict performance of untested new assemblies, how materials substitution could impact the overall performance of the building envelope, and how design detailing could increase moisture management capabilities.

Newer energy codes require that homes be sealed and tested to 3-5 air changes per hour. Good home design and the right spec’s go along way to making that happen. Proper air sealing saves energy and reduces moisture and mold problems. In this advanced session 1 hour session building science expert Steve Easley uses pictures from the real world examples to illustrate what works and what doesn’t. Trying to fix a home that does meet these requirements is costly and time consuming, and improper sealing techniques can also lead to serious mold and moisture problems. Learn how to do it right the first time at the lowest cost, how to achieve the ”biggest bang for the buck" when prioritizing labor, and the best methods and materials to meet the newer code requirements.

Air barriers on a building are now being recognized as more than simply saving energy.
An air tight building is a key to moisture management in the building envelope, proper operation of mechanical equipment, reduction in dust, odors such as second hand cigarette smoke and cooking smells.

An airtight building plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving the industry to a Net Zero Passive House building. The question from many people is how do I know my building is airtight? The answer is whole building airtightness testing. ABAA has worked to produce the latest test method ASTM E3158 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Air Leakage Rate of a Large or Multizone Building. In 2022 ABAA launched a training and certification program for Blower Door Technicians to help ensure an accurate test. This webinar will dispel many of the myths around whole building airtightness testing, walk you through a typical test and provide guidance on what to do if you do not meet the air leakage rate required. The webinar will also provide an overview of the ABAA training and certification program and why this program is set apart from some of the current industry training.

Gross burn rate is an important thing to measure. Burn rate is the pace at which a firm is running through its capital ahead of it generating any positive cash flow. It allows you to answer the question: “If we don’t sign another project, how many months can we stay in business? How long is our runway?” This webinar looks at the key performance indicators associated with your runway and burn rate and teaches you how to estimate your projected income.

Provides an overview of safety and security window film and attachment systems and includes discussions on the history of films and film classifications, the functional benefits and applications of window films and attachments systems, as well as relevant testing standards and specifications.

The pursuit of a clean, modern look to meet the owner's vision without sacrificing functionality, ADA compliance, and acoustical performance is a balancing act between the visible and hidden details. This program examines an adjustable concealed hydraulic hinge-closer and looks at a range of sleek, flush door opening applications.

NFPA 285 is defined as: the Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components. NFPA 285 assembly tests are required when exterior non-combustible walls contain combustible components per the International Building Code (IBC). The scope of materials classified by the IBC requiring NFPA 285 testing is increasing. Combined with more stringent energy code requirements, the use of combustible materials is also growing in exterior walls. The most common contributing factors to non-compliance of designs requiring NFPA 285 assembly testing include: −Lack of understanding of applicability of test on exterior wall assemblies. −Recent building and energy code changes causing new triggers for the test. −Lack of understanding of assembly vs. product results for NFPA 285 tests. This seminar will discuss the impact of the NFPA 285 Test on buildings using IBC-2018, the parameters and history of NFPA 285, which building envelope components are combustible and require NFPA 285 testing per IBC, and the paths to NFPA 285 code compliance that a designer can take. These elements all combine to integrate NFPA 285 compliant assemblies into building envelope systems.

Biophilia is humankind’s innate biological connection with nature, and biophilic design can reduce stress, enhance creativity, improve well-being and expedite healing. This course addresses the benefits of biophilic design, the different values and elements associated with biophilic design, and how architects and designers can use biophilic elements to achieve desired results in the built environment. The course also focuses on resilient flooring styles that correspond to certain biophilic design patterns.

This course examines the benefits of ICF walls, including materials, components, design flexibility, plus, building science characteristics and construction advantages.

This course explains the integration of underfloor system distribution with green design best practices, the components, features and benefits, and market adoption.

The modern wine cellar has been transformed by the design community, bringing storage out of the basement and into main-floor living in both commercial and residential properties. Proper wine storage is equal parts art and science, and this course covers the big picture on where to start to specify the Modern Wine Cellar.

Conventional building practice consists of single functional materials combined to serve the building design needs. For example, an air barrier is a distinct and separate layer, and water resistive barrier is often a separate layer. New designs concepts where multiple functionality, such as air and water barriers, can be met at the same layer per building code will be discussed. In particular, if insulated foam sheathing is used, appropriate joint treatment can enable compliance as air, water, and thermal barriers. Both conventional solid (peel and stick), and new fluid applied flashing and barriers will be discussed. Participants will also gain an understanding of material options and impact of application techniques on long term building performance.

A study of Aluminum cladding material used in architectural applications. The metal’s properties, aesthetics, technical aspects, manufacturing process, and appropriate design applications. An overview of the environmental aspects of aluminum completes the study.

Frameless glass railing systems are completely post-free and offer a minimalist aesthetic that maximizes views. This course presents the IBC code requirements for glass railing systems and explores how to specify the appropriate mounting, glass, and handrail components for the substrate, location, and expected use. Case studies of completed projects illustrate the unlimited design possibilities of frameless glass railings.

This course explores design choices to meet energy code and thermal insulation selection strategies to maximize long term building performance. Factors influencing the performance of an insulation in its application include production, R-values, moisture, temperature, aging, and quality of installation will be discussed.

Successful AE firms rely on technology to collect and store information related to their clients, projects, and employees. However, once you have this vast amount of complex data, do you know how to leverage it to improve productivity? Or do you feel like your firm is drowning in a sea of meaningless information? Join Steven Burns, FAIA, Founder of The Well-Designed Firm, as he walks you through how smart technology can help you save time on repetitive tasks and unlock the meaning to your valuable stream of data. During the webinar, Steven will share the lessons he’s learned while working with over 1,300 AE firms and demonstrate how your firm can leverage this mine of precious data to achieve greater organization, efficiency, and profitability by adopting best practices and taking advantage of modern, user-friendly, and affordable computing technologies.

Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.

Curious to challenge yourself and your views? This session is intended for green building practitioners who would like to gain a new perspective, develop a deeper understanding of what outputs of the LCA process can be used to effectively communicate the value of environmental product information into product specifications for a sustainable built environment.

Today's buildings are responsible for 38% of the world's energy usage, causing the demand for highly energy efficient and durable buildings to increase. One of the key elements in a highly energy efficient and durable building envelope is a continuous air barrier and water barrier system. There are several different types of air barrier membranes that are commonly used in the industry, although fluid applied air barriers continue to increase in popularity. There are hundreds of fluid applied air barrier products currently available and they vary greatly in thickness and formulation. As commercial buildings become more energy efficient and complex, the need for a high performance fluid air barrier system is increasing. This presentation will discuss some of the key differences and performance advantages of these new high performance air barrier chemical formulations in contrast to traditional fluid applied air barrier formulations.

Synthetic (artificial) grass or turf has improved steadily since its first installation half a century ago, and it is now a sophisticated surfacing system that can be customized to suit specific purposes. This course reviews that development and then focuses on the specifics of synthetic grass suitable for use on playgrounds. This focus includes a detailed examination of its construction, installation, and maintenance, and a number of sample installations.

This seminar is a basic review of transport mechanisms for heat, air and moisture movement across the building enclosure. These movements affect the building performance, hence controlling heat, air and moisture flow represent critical functions of the building enclosure. The control strategies for achieving an energy efficient and durable building enclosure will be discussed for each.

The enhanced need for water conservation and a decrease of harmful runoff resulting from lawn maintenance has pushed the demand for environmentally-friendly alternatives for landscaping and recreational areas. Explored in this course are the uses, benefits, and specification and installation considerations of artificial turf products that replicate a natural grass look and feel in any environment.