There is a growing realization that the buildings we live and work in play an important role in the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Green building rating systems are starting to incorporate health and wellbeing criteria and this course will look specifically at how products and materials can help meet the health and wellbeing requirements across these systems.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

A fireplace can be the center of interest in a space, be a supplemental heat source, and can help meet green design objectives. This program explains how hearth products contribute to home comfort, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and environmental sustainability. Discussions pertain to how to identify different hearth product categories, and how some types qualify for national green building programs, and why others do not.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

In a good kitchen design, the kitchen faucet plays a key role in terms of both function and style, therefore, choosing the right solution is a critical consideration. This course provides an overview of the functional and style options of kitchen faucets, as well as a discussion of the factors that relate to the quality of a kitchen faucet, including cartridge type, construction and finish.

The materials we use have a significant impact on the environment, our communities, and our health. Consequently, material transparency—wherein manufacturers disclose vital sustainability information about their products—is an increasingly necessary element of modern life. This course examines the tools and resources that are available for both manufacturers and the A&D community that effectively communicate transparency information and optimization of building products. Also reviewed are the benefits of the new-generation insulated metal panels (IMPs) designed to achieve a trusted range of health and wellness certifications.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Driven largely by public interest in minimizing the potential environmental impact of building products, architects and builders actively embrace “green” initiatives and are calling for building product transparency. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) was developed to address this need. This course examines the EPD and includes discussions on who wants EPDs and why, the EPD development process, the contents of an EPD, and the future of EPDs.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

The triple bottom line approach to sustainability requires thinking of the world as an interconnected system of economic, environmental, and social well-being. Choices can be made to select home furnishings made from durable, recycled, recyclable, rapidly renewable, and/or reclaimed materials from companies who work to improve the lives and livelihoods of others. This course looks at recycled copper, sustainably made concrete, FSC®-certified bamboo, and reclaimed wood used in bath fixtures and furniture handmade by skilled artisans.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

In a good kitchen design, the kitchen faucet plays a key role in terms of both function and style, therefore, choosing the right solution is a critical consideration. This course provides an overview of the functional and style options of kitchen faucets, as well as a discussion of the factors that relate to the quality of a kitchen faucet, including cartridge type, construction and finish.

The cleanliness of a hotel guestroom bathroom directly impacts a hotel’s profitability, by its influence on customer satisfaction and hotel image. Designers should not only consider aesthetics but also the selection of finishes and fixtures that allow for faster, more cost effective sanitation. This course examines the role of clean hotel bathrooms in hotel profitability, customer satisfaction, and public health. Potential modes and threats of infection are discussed and strategies suggested for selecting fixtures that improve sanitation and minimize labor.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

This presentation celebrates the value of incorporating artisanal, handcrafted fixtures and furnishings into a building’s design. Not only are these products unique, functional, and aesthetically appealing, but they can also establish a sense of connection with their maker. Many artisanal, handcrafted products are made using traditional techniques that have been passed down over time, often from generation to generation. And because many of these products are made from sustainable, recycled, or reclaimed materials that are locally available, they can help reduce the environmental impact of a new build. This course illustrates how sourcing artisan-made products for their projects can allow designers and builders to effect social, economic, and environmental change

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

The shower—once the bathroom’s most unassuming area, solely offering functionality—has emerged as one of today’s most sought-after bathroom luxuries. This course reviews the components and design and installation considerations related to custom showers designed to provide a spa-like experience for today’s homeowners.

Building systems can be enhanced by incorporating reflective insulation or radiant barriers into the building envelope. With effective insulation, heat transfer is reduced, resulting in less summer heat gain, and less winter heat loss. This course explains common and effective uses for reflective insulation and radiant barriers in a wide range of construction and building applications and demonstrates how these systems reduce energy usage, increase the lifespan of the mechanical equipment for heating and cooling, and reduce maintenance requirements and frequency of replacement.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Bathrooms can be dangerous places for people with and without physical limitations. The prevalence of bathroom falls amongst persons of all age groups and levels of ability has driven the trend of accessible shower design. Presented here is an overview of how curbless shower pans are designed for durability and safety, and meet the needs of accessible design. Included are discussions on traditional and modern shower pan design and installation methods and their associated drawbacks and benefits. Industry resources and standards are outlined.

The design of behavioral healthcare facilities should address the therapeutic and safety needs of patients and staff while meeting the applicable codes and regulations. Reviewed in this course are ligature-resistant products developed for patient rooms and bathrooms that strike the balance between providing the safest design solutions while creating a noninstitutional environment.

Authentic sustainability requires a long-term approach to reducing impact on the environment and minimizing operational costs for building owners. This course addresses how to use this approach in restroom design by specifying products that save money, time, and resources, including those that reduce waste and usage of consumables, energy, and water. Guidance is provided on how to communicate to clients the full, long-term value of products that are aesthetically pleasing, sustainable, and easy to maintain so that the original design vision is more likely to endure.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

From “fashion to function,” the shower space of the bathroom is a focal point, offering a quiet respite in which to rejuvenate. Shower spaces should be built to last, using durable materials combined with sound installation practices in order to reduce the life cycle and replacement costs. This course outlines the criteria used in designing water management systems for shower pans and walls. Includes discussions on traditional and modern methods of waterproofing shower floors and walls, new methods of construction, as well as the innovative design options that are available for curbless shower pans.

Sustainable restroom design can address the global concerns of water shortages and the impacts of the building sector on our environment. This program identifies the newest technologies in high-efficiency restroom fixtures including how to choose water-saving products and the practical, economic, and environmental benefits of high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers versus paper towels. Also included is an in-depth analysis of how these products earn points toward LEED® v4 credits and other green building standards to comply with new, best practices in green building.

There are numerous model codes written by both the ICC and NFPA relating to toilet room privacy partitions. This course provides up-to-date information relative to selecting and specifying code-compliant toilet partitions for commercial restrooms, including material type, hardware, and mounting configurations. Fire and accessibility codes are discussed, as well as guidelines for writing toilet compartment specifications.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Hospitality and commercial restrooms have a major impact on how patrons perceive a building or business. A modern luxury restroom doesn’t have to stop at simply meeting patrons’ expectations for sustainability, hygiene, and functionality; it can do so while also making a striking minimalist design statement that is sleek and elegant. This course presents some of the sustainable, hygienic, functional, and distinctive options for modern luxury restrooms.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

While the kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, the bathroom is often thought of as a utilitarian space. However, by drawing inspiration from kitchen design principles, designers can create a bathroom that’s personalized, organized, and highly functional. Beyond serving basic needs, the bathroom is a space for relaxing, recharging, and preparing for the day ahead. This course discusses strategies for incorporating organization, ergonomics, personalization, and technology to create a streamlined styling space.

This course will explore the use of PEX piping for commercial plumbing installations. PEX offers many material advantages to traditional plumbing systems and has different characteristics that should be accounted for in design and installation phases to maximize its benefits. Domestic hot water recirculation considerations will be discussed to explain the criteria for best preventing legionella bacteria growth and reducing scald risks.

Today—as climate change, population growth, and record droughts present an unprecedented strain on our water supply—conservation technology is building awareness to the importance of having the most water efficient fixtures in a home or business. This course recognizes the flush toilet as one of the biggest users of water and discusses how toilet design is pushing flush technology to develop ways for homes and commercial buildings to conserve water without sacrificing the performance of the toilet. Industry testing protocols and the water-saving capabilities of different technologies are evaluated.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

While the bathroom was once a strictly utilitarian space, a growing trend among luxury consumers is to create a custom, spa-like retreat right in the home. Surveys find that luxury consumers value functional and design excellence, uniqueness that reflects a creative side, and exceptional quality and value. This course examines the shower products available that help to create a personalized, multi-sensory experience with beautifully designed pieces that meet water efficiency standards.

The shower—once the bathroom’s most unassuming area, solely offering functionality—has emerged as one of today’s most sought-after bathroom luxuries. This course reviews the components and design and installation considerations related to custom showers designed to provide a spa-like experience for today’s homeowners.

Ensuring hands are dry is crucial for maintaining hygiene levels, but when a hand dryer is too slow, many people give up trying to get their hands completely dry and exit the bathroom with wet hands. This course discusses hand-drying concepts and the advantages of hand dryers with air knife technology. It also reviews the impact the choice of hand-drying equipment has on public health, occupant comfort, facility operations, and our environment.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Food and wine preservation refers to the process of storing products under ideal conditions in order to maximize longevity. Preserving food and wine maximizes its shelf life and flavor which, in turn, enhances the enjoyment of its consumption. Additionally, proper preservation results in less waste and saves the consumer money. This course reviews the causes of premature food deterioration, the optimal conditions for storing wine and food, and the solutions that are available with a focus on modern refrigeration units.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory