Green Building Certification Inc.

The "GBCI CE" mark indicates that the course, as described in the application and materials submitted by the provider to USGBC, holds a General CE designation and meets the General CE conditions set out in the USGBC Education Partner Program course guidelines.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 240 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Natural fibers have been used for over 2,000 years as a method to strengthen building materials. Cellulose fiber provides an excellent alternative to traditional secondary reinforcement, reducing plastic shrinkage cracks and improving durability, impact resistance, shatter resistance, and freeze/thaw resistance without compromising the appearance or finishability of a concrete surface. This course covers the evolution of fiber, its benefits, and why it is a sustainable material.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Solid surface material is a durable and sustainable solution for custom architectural solutions. Explore the extensive design possibilities of this nonporous, thermoformable material and review key performance characteristics and fabrication guidelines.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As more companies invest in solar to generate clean power for their operations, meet environmental goals, or save money on electrical bills, architects and building owners may need to be prepared to accommodate rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in both existing and new buildings. This course provides an introduction to rooftop PV systems, including a discussion of modules, components, and attachments, and best practices for a durable roof and PV system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores the critical role of shade in urban design, public health, and climate resilience. It examines how natural, built, and combined shading systems reduce heat exposure, support thermal comfort, and enhance the usability of outdoor spaces. Through case studies, technical analysis, and planning frameworks, participants will learn how to evaluate shade needs, select appropriate solutions, and integrate shade into parks, plazas, transit stops, and other public environments.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In light of the recent pandemic and the increasing frequency of wildfires, there is growing awareness around the impact of air quality, particularly in indoor environments. Building systems that manage air circulation and ventilation play a crucial role in supporting occupant health and well-being and can help meet indoor air quality credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction, Interior Design and Construction, and Operations and Maintenance rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. This course provides an overview of indoor air quality (IAQ) and offers strategies for improving it through responsive design and technology.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Light is fundamental to life, and Earth’s 24-hour light–dark cycle directly impacts our physiology and behavior. Indoors, reduced exposure to daylight and increased exposure to electric light after dark interfere with circadian rhythms. This course examines how circadian rhythms affect human performance, health, and well-being, the receptors in the eye that send visual and nonvisual responses to the brain, the action spectrum for circadian stimulus, and the metrics used to quantify circadian-stimulus light. Also presented are methods for applying circadian-effective lighting systems to satisfy the requirements of WELL Building Standard™ v2, Light, Feature L03, Circadian Lighting Design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Waterproof, fireproof, nonporous, and eco-friendly natural slate has great value as a building material, particularly given its ability to protect structures for generations. This course reviews the characteristics and properties of slate, presents some of the many design options, and provides guidance on sourcing and specification. The sustainability benefits of roofing slate are also discussed, from its extraction and low-impact processing to its strength and enduring properties in all weather conditions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With the global rise in natural disasters and the increasing need for sustainable environments, resiliency has become a necessity in the design and building industries. This course provides an overview of resilient design, how it relates to building codes and standards, and the role it plays in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the built environment. It examines the role masonry construction plays in meeting resilient design goals and the inherent properties of masonry that make it resilient and provides examples and case studies of resilient design strategies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Energy codes at the federal, state, and local levels increasingly focus on reducing energy consumption, saving consumers money, and reducing CO2 emissions. Whether new or recently updated, energy codes play an essential role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work, and play in. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code ® , with a focus on plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Our built environment must be optimized to create comfortable and healthier spaces. Shading systems can be used to enhance our spaces by providing optimal daylight and comfort to create an ideal indoor environment. This course reviews the performance, aesthetics, and material health of various shadecloth compositions and how each factor contributes to the shadecloth selection process.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Trees are essential for the health of the urban environment, mitigating the heat island effect, cleaning the air, reducing stormwater runoff, and improving residents’ health and well-being. But cities are often inhospitable to trees, where their growth may be stunted or their roots may damage surrounding infrastructure. This course explores ways to design successful projects incorporating green infrastructure by understanding the principles behind tree growth, proper type and amount of soil, water management, and the role of soil vault systems in helping urban trees thrive.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Continuous insulation is part of building standards and state and energy codes due to its ability to reduce thermal bridging and the associated heat loss and energy consumption. This course looks at the use of polyisocyanurate as a continuous insulation in Type V and residential construction and its use as a multifunctional envelope component—air barrier, weather-resistive barrier, and vapor retarder—by reviewing code requirements for the building envelope.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The operation of mechanical equipment generates vibration and noise, which, if left untreated, can damage the building structure and the equipment itself and be a source of discomfort for building occupants. This course examines HVAC equipment vibration and the specification of isolation solutions. It provides discussions on each of the ASHRAE isolator and base types and describes some acoustical floor treatments.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Undesirable acoustics in educational spaces adversely affect the learning and teaching processes. The impact on students’ academic achievement, social adaptation, and mental health can be profound and long lasting. This course examines the impact of different sound problems and presents solutions that create synergy between the architecture and the classroom environment to optimize student learning and engagement and teacher retention.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Air curtain units (ACUs) provide a controlled airstream across a door or opening, creating a seamless barrier between two distinct spaces while enabling smooth, uninterrupted traffic flow. Air curtains fulfill numerous purposes and provide building owners with significant energy savings. This course examines how air curtains work and how they reduce whole-building energy consumption and contribute to occupant wellness and safety. The role of air curtains in limiting the infiltration of insects, pathogens, and outside pollutants while maintaining thermal comfort and good indoor air quality is explained. ACU selection and installation considerations are also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Structural HDPE plastic lumber offers strength, durability, and design versatility and is a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. This course examines the types of structural HDPE plastic lumber and their manufacturing processes and provides technical information on performance attributes, suitable applications, installation considerations, and design guidelines. Comparisons are made to wood and wood-plastic composite lumber. Also presented is how recycled HDPE plastic lumber may help meet credit requirements in the Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES® v2) and LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Residential BD+C rating systems. Case studies demonstrate the exemplary performance of structural HDPE plastic lumber in aggressive environmental conditions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Daylight is an essential part of our health and well-being, but it needs management. Shading strives to maximize daylight without compromising building occupant comfort and well-being. This course explores the role daylight has within the built environment and its impact on occupants and energy usage, with a focus on how to better specify shadecloth based on factors such as project type, solar optical properties, shadecloth composition, and environmental factors.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    ICF construction is cost effective and sustainable, and is a superior way to build stronger, quieter, healthier, and more energy-efficient commercial structures. This course explores insulated concrete form (ICF) construction, describing the forms themselves and their construction, performance, and sustainable benefits. Also presented are design guidelines, the installation process, flooring systems, and commercial project applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Obesity rates in the U.S. have reached epic numbers and correlate to significant health and economic impacts. Outdoor obstacle courses in public green spaces can provide appealing, effective, and free training equipment to the community to help increase physical activity. Review the theories of obstacle course training and guidelines for their design and installation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Vinyl has long been a material of choice for construction products for interiors and exteriors because of its durability, cleanability, affordability, and suitability for a vast range of applications. This course furthers the conversation by discussing vinyl’s recyclability and sustainability and the attributes of laminated rigid PVC exterior and interior wall panels and siding and soffit products.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Growing US cities face escalating housing costs, residential and commercial displacement, homelessness, and the suburbanization of poverty. As increasing numbers of households are pushed out of the city by rising housing costs, they are burdened with long commutes and increased transportation costs while their carbon emissions escalate. These challenges are exacerbated by a deeply embedded policy—single-family zoning—that accounts for 75% or more of the land area allotted for housing in many fast-growing US cities. Part 2 of this two-part series outlines policies implemented at the city and state levels to make existing single-family neighborhoods more inclusive, equitable, walkable, and sustainable. It illustrates innovative case studies at the building scale to increase access to these neighborhoods for both renters and homeowners. In addition, it reviews efforts by architects and AIA chapters to address this issue despite the controversy that surrounds it. Each part of Right to the City can be taken as an individual course. Want free access to this and other NCARB courses? The NCARB Continuum Education Program offers free HSW CE courses to licensure candidates and architects who hold a current NCARB Certificate, which can be accessed through their NCARB record. Renew your NCARB Certificate , or get NCARB Certified .

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     In order to download this course, a USD $25.00 fee must be paid.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of performance, durability, risk, cost, and construction timeline.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores insulating concrete forms (ICFs) as part of a sustainable construction system by covering their benefits, applications, and design considerations. The course delves into the structural properties, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of ICFs. Also presented are best practices for integrating ICFs into various architectural projects and a concise overview of installation steps.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Daylighting is the controlled admission of natural light into a building. It takes into consideration both direct and diffuse sunlight and reduces use of electric light, thereby decreasing energy costs. By controlling daylight, solar heat gain can be minimized, lowering the demand on HVAC systems. This course evaluates a variety of daylighting strategies for commercial applications and includes discussions about the relevance of daylight factor calculations and the impact fabric characteristics have on a shading solution.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Building a stronger connection with nature is critical to maintaining human health and well-being. Composite wood decking is a durable, environmentally sustainable product that can help build links with nature through outdoor living spaces. This course examines the different decking options and explains the sustainability benefits of using composite decking and how it can help meet green building requirements. Various design innovations that enhance occupant well-being are also discussed.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 240 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST