Building Knowledge and Connections
Displaying 1 - 25 of 124 results.
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https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1101245/www.aecdaily.com/course/1111000
Incorporating sustainable building materials into design practices is essential for creating environmentally responsible, healthy, and resilient built environments. Thermal modification is a tested and proven chemical-free process for increasing the dimensional stability and long-term performance of wood while preserving its natural beauty. Presented are the thermal modification process, the attributes, applications, and favorable environmental impacts of thermally modified wood, and how thermally modified wood can contribute to achieving certification in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2, and the Living Building Challenge (LBC).
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1118974/www.aecdaily.com/course/1128064
Resin-mineral composite is an exceptional building material for exterior applications and embodies the enduring appeal of wood without its challenges. The composition, design options, and performance attributes of resin-mineral composite (RMC) decking and siding are explored. Also discussed are product and manufacturer sustainability, product evaluations, and the range of applications suitable for resin-mineral composite.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s9297/www.aecdaily.com/course/1230176
This course explores key considerations and best practices for installing maple flooring systems intended for sports applications, emphasizing industry standards and recommendations such as those issued by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA). Durable and long-lasting, northern hard maple floors can support athlete health, safety, and performance by providing a high-quality playing surface. Participants will learn about important factors in selecting materials for maple sports floors, as well as different subfloor and surface configurations. By the end of this course, participants will know how to select flooring that maximizes athlete safety, well-being, and performance while balancing environmental factors that impact the floor’s longevity.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s707154/www.aecdaily.com/course/969691
Throughout history, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure that the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with efficiency in the application that is expected in today's world of design. This course covers the creation of GFRC, its components, fabrication, applications, and design capabilities. It compares GFRC to other types of architectural concrete and presents GFRC performance and sustainable design advantages.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1124509/www.aecdaily.com/course/1148764
When renovating an existing bathroom, there is a choice between the resurfacing of existing wall coverings, bathtubs, or showers and a complete renovation where all the existing elements are removed and replaced with new ones. This course outlines the pros and cons of each alternative and introduces modern acrylic products as an excellent choice for either. You will learn all the ways that acrylic can be utilized in both new and renovated bathrooms and all the technical information required for a successful design outcome.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14550/www.aecdaily.com/course/1127759
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s7667/www.aecdaily.com/course/1192490
Louvers are functional elements that permit airflow and protect against water intrusion. Selecting the right louver for a project requires balancing multiple factors. This course provides an overview of the various types of louvers and their performance characteristics, the AMCA’s role in ensuring reliable, high-performing products, and relevant standards and testing protocols. Finish options, as well as installation, design, and structural considerations, are addressed. Guidance is provided on selecting and specifying appropriate louvers to meet project needs.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s976306/www.aecdaily.com/course/985229
Made from one of the hardest and most abundant minerals in nature, engineered quartz is a beautiful, durable surface solution for a wide range of commercial and residential applications desiring the beauty of natural stone without its drawbacks. The raw materials of quartz surfacing are harvested from the Earth and formed into slabs via an innovative production process, resulting in a homogenous, nonporous material with superior performance and low maintenance requirements. Reviewed in this course are the features, fabrication guidelines, and design trends of quartz surfacing.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14550/www.aecdaily.com/course/1172077
Wood-plastic composite cladding offers a pleasing aesthetic and exceptional durability as part of a rainscreen assembly, enhancing the performance and longevity of the building envelope. Presented here are the functions and components of Lstiburek’s “perfect (universal) wall” design and a drained and ventilated rainscreen assembly. The course explores the composition, manufacture, benefits, design possibilities, and installation of wood-plastic composite cladding, as well as compliance with building codes and standards.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s806330/www.aecdaily.com/course/827398
Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R-values for enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of the walls, roof, or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective, and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIPs as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s15612/www.aecdaily.com/course/892139
Surface design and color impact people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual and physical worlds. This course examines the integral role that surface color and design play in interior spaces and how color and design can improve health, reduce stress, enhance safety, and promote well-being in building occupants. Key requirements in the selection and specification process are also discussed.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s775747/www.aecdaily.com/course/815408
For some applications, building codes provide for the use of fire-retardant-treated (FR) wood products as an alternative to noncombustible materials. To ensure that FR wood products are properly specified, it is important to understand how these products are made, their formulations, and the building code references that guide their use in construction. This course offers a review of FR wood products, including their manufacture, the applications and types of fire retardants that are available, and the factors that must be considered to ensure FR wood products are properly specified for code compliance.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s431285/www.aecdaily.com/course/1106562
Vinyl membrane decking can prolong the life cycle of various building components; however, performance and durability depend on vinyl membrane selection, specification, and installation. Fortunately, vinyl membrane manufacturers can support architects, contractors, and specifiers through all phases of the project to ensure a successful outcome. This course examines walkable, waterproof roof deck membranes and roofing systems and includes discussions on system characteristics, design considerations, and how to properly specify roof deck membrane systems.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s480282/www.aecdaily.com/course/970413
As interest in cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings grows, the market for building enclosure products as a whole has yet to fully provide the water-resistant barriers, vapor retarders, and air barriers to optimally support the unique characteristics of wood. Furthermore, there are few building enclosure design guides specific to detailing wood-framed walls and roofs. This comprehensive course fills the gaps, providing detailed information on mass timber, building enclosure issues, the vapor-permeable technology available to address wood’s unique moisture characteristics, and a how-to guide on detailing the walls and roof of the enclosure.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s710971/www.aecdaily.com/course/1178829
The intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else and are afforded equal access to the built environment. This course discusses the need for compliance with accessibility regulations and how businesses can benefit from it. It explores the ADA, criteria for perimeter and interior access, accessible design requirements for door and doorway components, and relevant codes, standards, and design guidelines.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1163943/www.aecdaily.com/course/1185966
This course examines how inclusive outdoor environments and well-designed site furnishings can promote health, safety, and well-being for all individuals. While everyone can benefit from being outdoors, many people experience exclusion due to design barriers in public spaces. Learners will explore strategies and furniture specifications, including layout and materials, that support accessible and inclusive design and contribute to LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C), WELL Building Standard™ v2, and SITES® v2 goals. Case studies highlight real-world applications in communities, school campuses, and public spaces.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1202917/www.aecdaily.com/course/1220973
This course explores the design, performance, and sustainability of engineered wood flooring for contemporary building projects. Learners will examine material composition, finishing methods, and installation considerations that directly impact durability, indoor environmental quality, and long‑term resilience. Emphasis is placed on responsible sourcing, low‑VOC systems, and how flooring choices support occupant safety and comfort. The course examines how engineered wood flooring can support LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ v2 through strategies that enhance indoor air quality and material transparency.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s867585/www.aecdaily.com/course/889638
The growing global population is creating an increased demand for resources. As a result, there is a need to replace fossil-based, nonrenewable building materials with more bio-based materials, such as bamboo. This course describes the properties of bamboo that make it a more sustainable choice, including its fast growth and CO2 saving and storing potential. It also discusses how active bamboo reforestation and the use of durable bamboo products can lead to CO2 reduction across many industries.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s753467/www.aecdaily.com/course/900996
Leading aluminum extrusion manufacturers have established a variety of methods pertaining to material grade, surface protection, and component solutions to maximize the benefits of aluminum to suit a wide variety of applications. These advancements in technology have led to the development of sustainable wood-patterned aluminum products designed for exterior and interior applications. This course focuses on how these products can be used as a beautiful, high-performance, durable alternative for real wood in a range of applications, including screens, facades, decking, fencing, gates, cladding, and more.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s867585/www.aecdaily.com/course/1162800
This course examines bamboo as a sustainable construction material by focusing on its properties, environmental advantages, and innovative applications. Participants will explore responsible sourcing, manufacturing practices, and key certifications. The course also covers advanced products such as thermally modified and high-density bamboo. Professionals will gain the knowledge required to integrate bamboo into projects that align with performance and sustainability standards.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s951401/www.aecdaily.com/course/1094326
While natural wood has traditionally been viewed as an ideal material for decking boards and tiles, wood-plastic composite (WPC) has emerged as a durable, easy-to-maintain, and sustainable alternative. This course provides insights into the advantages of composite decking, especially fully capped products, and explores topics including its environmental benefits; contribution to occupant wellness and safety; resistance to fading, staining, and other potential defects that decking experiences; various applications; and attractive aesthetics.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1189297/www.aecdaily.com/course/1231909
While many businesses focus only on financial profit, others have discovered that adopting a triple bottom line (TBL) approach and considering environmental, social, and economic impacts benefits communities, protects the environment, sustains their businesses, and improves their profits. This course examines one such TBL industry group that repurposes rubber waste into recreational surfacing for campuses, playgrounds, and accessible playing fields. It describes the collection, processing, manufacturing, and installation processes, sustainable attributes, practical uses, and alignment with LEED® v5 for Building Design and Construction, WELL Building Standard™ version 2, and SITES® v2 criteria.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1179290/www.aecdaily.com/course/1197346
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s707030/www.aecdaily.com/course/1138092
Light-manipulating glass products transport, redirect, refract, and reflect light to create architectural spaces that engage occupants with the unexpected interplay of light and shadow. This course explores these durable, functional products and their many options for customization. Also reviewed is how glass panels may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1200670/www.aecdaily.com/course/1210640
Rain control is a critical aspect of building envelope construction, affecting a building’s structural integrity and occupant health. This course presents the rainscreen wall system as an effective strategy for moisture management, as reflected in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Discussed are the fundamentals of moisture control in buildings, the history of rainscreens, rainscreen design principles, and cladding material selection, including potential contributions to credit achievement in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system.
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