1.0 hour

Phenolic panels are a versatile building material for both interior wall coverings and exterior cladding, and are ideal wherever both durability and appearance are important. This course explains how the manufacturing process imparts a wide range of performance attributes to phenolic panels, discusses their role in sustainable design, and presents the diverse array of applications that benefit from the strength and beauty of phenolic wall panels.

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

 1.0 hour

With the increasing prominence of glass in new buildings and retrofit projects, the use of window film can raise the style, performance, and safety of today’s building projects. This course examines the use of various types of window film, (decorative, solar control, and safety/security) and their role in improving occupant comfort and safety, lowering energy costs, and enhancing privacy.

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

 1 hour

Open walls embody the true essence of indoor-outdoor living. This program explores large opening glass wall systems, their LEED® contributions, and how they lend themselves to sustainable design. The course focuses on: their benefits and applications; door types; door system components; and selection and installation considerations.

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

 1.0 hour

Concrete has been a reliable, durable, sustainable construction material for many thousands of years. Moisture movement through and within concrete, however, has always been a concern for the design/build community. In this course, we will discuss how specification of one performance requirement—discontinuous capillary concrete—contributes to sustainability by: minimizing waste of energy, water, and materials; maximizing value by efficient use of new, reused, and renewable resources; protecting occupant health, and eliminating non-value added project costs and activities.

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

 1 hour

Sustainability seeks to balance resource efficiency, health, and social concerns throughout the life cycle of a structure. Concrete has a variety of benefits to offer in achieving this goal. This course examines the environmental impacts of building with concrete along with a discussion of the features of reflective and decorative concrete floors and their role in a sustainable building strategy. As well, we present a review of the best practices and specification considerations that are required to facilitate a successful concrete floor installation.

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

 1 hour

Wood is the only carbon-negative, sustainable building product there is. Using more wood and wood-based products for interior and exterior applications can help to lower carbon emissions and combat climate change. This course discusses the benefits of using wood, identifies what sustainable hardwood species are the most abundant and where some of the best managed, certified hardwood forests are located, and compares the physical and performance properties of European beech to eight other temperate hardwoods.

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

 1.0 hour

A new generation of precision woven fabrics is being introduced to the architectural community. This course explores a new form of exterior fabric membrane that allows for entirely new forms and functionalities in permanent static or kinetic fabric constructions; a VOC-free modular ceiling system made from photometrically and acoustically optimized precision fabric; and a new composite facade material made from a combination of glass, fabric and metal to reduce solar gain, glare, and improve interior environments. Design and application possibilities and the functional and sustainable benefits provided by each innovation are explored through video and photographic documentation of exemplary real-world projects incorporating the products.

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

 1 hour

Healthy urban trees contribute not only to our environment; they also contribute to our communities. As we create metropolitan landscapes, we need to address the health and well-being of tree. This is crucial to the legacy that we pass on to future generations. This course examines the factors that affect the health of urban tree environments, including the climatic conditions of the project site, tree planting techniques, and the use of architectural hardscape amenities.

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

 1 hour

There is an almost limitless variety of forms an aluminum extrusion can take, and design flexibility allows a great deal of functionality to be designed into extruded components. This course discusses the characteristics, technical information, and benefits of aluminum extrusions used as a building material, with a focus on whole building design, sustainability, and application possibilities.

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

 1.0 hour

Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the US and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high performance envelope strategies like shading systems, in all new building designs. In this course, we will look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design.

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

 1.0 hour

The methods for mitigating thermal bridging often mean a break in not only in thermal continuity but also structural continuity, leading to complex structural solutions. This course discusses a new take on fluid-applied thermal coatings for use as thermal breaks. It looks at how they are proving to be an innovative solution to minimize thermal bridging in both new and existing buildings, provides case studies and research showing their effectiveness and cost savings over traditional thermal break materials.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of evolving green/energy codes and their impact on the specification of aluminum extrusion-based building components; presents alternative thermal management technologies and illustrates how aluminum extrusions can contribute to “green” commercial structures. Note: This course is not intended to be a primer on aluminum extrusions. Basic information about extrusions and the extrusion process can be found in the course “Aluminum Extrusions.”

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

 1.5 hour

Parks, recreational areas, and common rural and urban spaces can be essential relaxing oases. Pathways that navigate through these public spaces should be functional, durable, and complement the natural environment. This course explores pathway materials and focuses on decomposed granite (DG) and natural aggregates. It discusses the types of pathways, their applications, installation and maintenance, as well as their contribution to green design.

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

 1 hour

Acrylic solid surface is an attractive design solution, delivering enhanced aesthetics combined with superior properties. This course provides an overview of the characteristics of 100% Acrylic Solid Surface compared to other surface materials, and the driving factors that contribute to its growing role in sustainable design strategies. Also discussed are the manufacturing, fabricating, and thermoformable processes of 100% Acrylic Solid Surface and the related green standards and certification programs.

 1.0 hour

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 to view details.

 1 hour

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world, second only to water. Over time, as a result of the build-up of atmospheric compounds in the surrounding environment, concrete will become discolored, stained, dirty and dingy. This course examines photocatalytic technology in concrete and the benefits this technology offers in accelerating the self-cleaning and pollution abatement properties of concrete, while maintaining the same mechanical and physical properties of traditional concrete.

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

 1 hour

Energy codes are appearing on the Federal, State, and Local level in an effort to reduce energy consumption, save consumers money, and reduce CO2 emissions. Whether new or existing, energy codes play an important role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work and play. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 and the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code®, and identifies plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency.

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

 1 hour

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 to view details.

 1.0 hour

At first glance, a living wall biofilter appears as a vertical, hydroponic green wall of plants. However, it is an active filtration system that is an integrated part of the air handling system for a building. This course explains how living wall biofilters improve indoor air quality, enhance building performance, and create healthier, more pleasant indoor environments.

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

 1 hour

Water is essential to life on Earth. We use it every day for drinking, cooking, cleaning, irrigating, and much more. And while it is such an important part of our lives, we are facing mounting issues when it comes to droughts, flooding, and the systems and infrastructure by which we receive our water. This course covers local and global water supply and demand issues, our current water infrastructure systems and where they are failing, and new technologies and innovations that are helping create more sustainable water solutions for the future.

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

 1 hour

Rubber roofing is roofing material which contains natural rubber, often recycled tire-derived rubber, as its key or major ingredient. It often contains other ingredients such as compatibilizers, stabilizers, UV (ultraviolet light) inhibitors, and color which make it suitable for sloped roof applications. Recycled rubber roofing has a significant ecological impact today, as well as in the future when it can be recycled again and made into new roofing material. This course illustrates the environmental and performance benefits of rubber roofing and discussed why it facilitates fast and easy installation.

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

 1.0 hour

Sustainability in construction and operation is becoming the new normal and the cleaning industry has responded by offering products for restroom facilities that are as energy-conserving and as environmentally-friendly as possible. This course provides an overview of the hand-drying options that are available for commercial restrooms, including the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers.

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

 1 hour

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) in their simplest form are rigid urethane foam sandwiched between two sheets of coated metal. IMPs provide insulating values across the entire wall and roof area, and the impermeable faces and built-in thermal breaks ensure high insulating values for the life of a building. This course discusses IMPs in terms of their material, finish, and construction life cycle, designed with features and benefits to enhance building performance, conserve energy and contribute to the sustainable built environment.

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

 1.0 hour

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 to view details.

 1 hour

In the wake of the green movement, reducing the operational energy of buildings is an important element in the sustainable design process. Designing with Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) can improve building performance and contribute to a sustainable design strategy. This course covers the performance properties of mineral wool core panels in terms of their green features and fire resistance ratings. Code requirements, design specifications, and environmental considerations are also discussed.

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