One of the more complicated issues today in building science is addressing moisture movement, since moisture can penetrate a building in a number of different ways. By knowing and understanding the source of the water and its movement, effective solutions can be developed to eliminate or retard moisture movement. This course focuses on moisture movement below grade and the methods used to prevent and control the different types of moisture movement to provide complete below slab protection. Industry codes and standards which must be met when specifying vapor retarders/barriers are also discussed.

Cove lighting systems deliver a modern detail to ceilings and walls while providing the evenly distributed, visually comforting illumination of indirect lighting. This course explores the many uses for coves, the basics of placement and construction, and the various features and installation methods for different cove framing options.

Curved elements, such as walls, ceilings, columns and arches, have often been used to add interest to architectural designs. This course outlines conventional methods of framing curves in wood and steel, as well as new methods of framing using flexible track systems. Discussions include options for wall coverings and trims for curved surfaces.

Concrete is a popular, versatile, and durable construction material, and it has the potential to be very beautiful as well. Graphically imaged precast concrete is a creative, inspiring technology that can be used by architects and designers to create visually impactful building façades and other concrete surfaces. Discussed are the fabrication process, design possibilities, and budgeting considerations. Global case studies present a range of applications of both stock and unique designs.

Around the globe, companies and manufacturers are embracing socially responsible design, construction, and the development of sustainable products. This course provides an overview of sustainable design and the creation of healthier environments in reference to architectural paints. Included are discussions regarding the components of paint, independent testing methods and standards, categories of LEED®, and specification of paint systems for today’s designer.

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

(Canadian Version) Around the globe, companies and manufacturers are embracing socially responsible design, construction, and the development of sustainable products. This course provides an overview of sustainable design and the creation of healthier environments in reference to architectural paints. Included are discussions regarding the components of paint, independent testing methods and standards, categories of LEED®, and specification of paint systems for today’s designer.

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

Electrical systems that deliver access to permanent power and enable device connectivity are critical components of the design and operation of high performance buildings. Today’s mobile technology means people can connect and move freely between the indoors and outdoors, and integrate their social and work lives, anytime, anywhere. This course examines permanent outdoor power delivery offerings, including charging stations and in ground power boxes, that support the growing demand for connectivity and data and audio visual communications in outdoor spaces and help to create an outdoor environment that promotes longer stays, stimulates creativity, and increases productivity.

An efficient recycling program provides a range of benefits including the potential to save on monthly waste disposal fees. However, recycling programs can vary greatly; therefore, it is very important to analyze your clients’ requirements ahead of time to achieve the best results. This program reviews the purpose of recycling, steps on setting priorities and analyzing needs when setting up a recycling program, considerations for servicing workstations and public spaces, guidance on how to select the right containers, and other tips for improving sustainability efforts.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Basic

Provides an overview of the critical properties that require consideration when specifying underslab vapor barriers and moisture/gas barriers, as well as discussions on the basic installation guidelines to help insure a successful installation.

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

Introduction au design durable et création d’environnements plus sains par des peintures architecturales. On trouvera aussi des réflexions sur les composants de la peinture; des méthodes d’évaluation et des normes indépendantes ; les catégories LEED® ; enfin, les particularités des systèmes de peinture pour le designer d’aujourd’hui.

The tools, techniques, and approaches to Sustainable Community Planning (SCP) have evolved substantially in the last few decades, turning it from an abstract notion into a comprehensive and beneficial planning approach. This course reviews a broad spectrum of the more effective approaches currently being utilized to convert basic SCP principles into practical projects around the world. The review includes numerous links to the sources of these tools and approaches and includes background on a number of international projects.

 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.

Automated-shading systems are designed to maximize natural daylight, increase building energy efficiency, and ensure occupants have a comfortable environment with views to the outside. This course will explain how an automated shading system predicts, monitors, and responds to the daily microclimate surrounding a building to effectively manage daylight, solar-heat gain, occupant comfort levels, and energy use demands.

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

Considering that 90–95% of our time is spent indoors and that 28% of the energy demand in commercial buildings comes from lighting, proper daylighting strategies are more essential than ever. This course describes how to best harness the benefits of natural light without causing occupant discomfort, discusses how to calculate daylighting accurately, and presents case studies on the performance of daylight redirecting films.

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

In addition to being an effective alternative to artificial lighting options, daylighting provides a wide range of other benefits for both the building and its occupants. This course addresses achieving daylighting in building design using skylights and curtainwall. This program includes discussions on the basics of daylighting, glazing options, daylighting methods, creative design, and green benefits of daylighting systems.

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

Aerogel is a translucent lightweight solid made from silica (sand) that is long-lasting and safe in its production and application. When filled with aerogel, multiwall polycarbonate provides high strength, high light transmittance, and high thermal resistance in a lightweight, long-lasting glazing system. This course examines aerogel’s remarkable properties and the glazing performance of aerogel-filled multiwall polycarbonate to daylighting design in multiple architectural design applications.

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

The overuse and misuse of the term rainscreen in the construction industry has created confusion and ambiguity as to its correct meaning and to its application in the field. To clarify the proper use of the concept and the term, this course reviews the essential rainscreen wall components, how they should be assembled, their roles and relationship to energy efficiency, and the various types of rainscreen constructions possible. It focuses on rainscreens utilizing metal wall panels and provides details as to how these panels should be detailed in a rainscreen application and concludes by providing illustrative examples of metal panel wall applications.

Plantable permeable paving systems continue to grow in scope and practicality as we search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, improve water quality, diminish flooding and erosion, reduce the urban heat island from reradiated heat in our cities and environment, and add attractive open space to building sites and neighborhoods. This course looks at plantable permeable pavement system types, their use, and how they can help achieve sustainability goals.

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

Long-span composite steel deck slabs blend the speed and versatility of steel construction with the performance and durability of concrete, enabling a holistic approach to space-efficient structural designs. They are engineered to reduce story height while maximizing ceiling height and address market-specific building requirements. This course reviews the design criteria for long-span composite steel deck slabs and shows how they can be designed to increase available space, enhance structural performance, and reduce total project costs.

Aluminum Full View (AFV) doors are a fast growing segment within the building product industry. They have a wide range of applications in a variety of building types. This course will look at potential applications and building types, options for installation, and custom options in design when specifying AFV doors.

Today’s buildings are evolving from independently-functioning structures to intelligent buildings that interact with occupants and surrounding buildings. This trend has impacted the design, operation, and maintenance of data centers around the globe due to the increased demand of data and digital communication, and has resulted in more high-performance data centers. This presentation addresses the specific needs of data centers and presents high-performance design solutions that support sustainable design.

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

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...

Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. This course provides an overview of the properties of Redwood Timbers including insulation properties, grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength. It concludes with numerous case studies exploring the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures.

To fully assess the benefits of spray foam and its importance to today’s building industry requires taking a closer look at one of the main goals of architects and building engineers—to create sustainable structures which allows maximum design creativity. With an ability to contour into any space or shape and adhere to any surface, spray foam allows such creativity. This course examines the performance properties spray foam products and discusses advanced design concepts using spray foam

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