Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 101 - 125 of 460 results.

FIRST PREV [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] [126-150] [151-175] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Third-party environmental product declarations (EPDs), using a life-cycle analysis (LCA) approach, provide a comprehensive analysis and quantification of a product’s sustainability. This course examines how EPDs can inform sustainable site furniture selection and how the use of sustainable site furniture can contribute to meeting various credit requirements of LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The United Nations has set 2030 as the deadline for member nations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The construction industry has set complementary goals, including the AIA 2030 Commitment to reach net zero emissions in the built environment by 2030. This course discusses how circular economy building products are necessary to achieve sustainable design goals and presents the case study of Kohler WasteLAB, a small manufacturing business within Kohler Company that creates beautiful products for the home from waste.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Roofing is one of the most common renovation projects on commercial buildings. Upgrading a roof assembly to meet current building standards provides an opportunity to save energy and maintain the necessary fire and structural performance. This course reviews the code requirements for commercial reroofing and discusses how reroofing can improve a building’s energy efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This course explores a 5,000-square-foot office expansion recently completed by Excel Dryer. The building owner was committed to reducing their environmental impact and building a beautiful, healthy, sustainable, and functional space. This course discusses the relevant tools for sustainable, healthy buildings, including the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 and the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system. The methods for achieving these goals are examined through various building products and systems: walls, furniture, HVAC, sound masking and acoustic systems, flooring, daylighting and solar shading, and plumbing.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Birds are an important part of ecosystems, performing many essential ecological functions. Unfortunately, millions of birds are killed every year due to collisions. This course discusses how architects can include bird-safe glass design strategies in their projects to significantly reduce the number of bird collisions and positively impact the environment and biodiversity. It also examines how bird-safe glass may help projects satisfy credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction rating system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The need to evaluate thermal bridging in a building’s design and performance has become more prevalent because of the increasing requirements for more energy-efficient buildings. This course provides an introduction to thermal bridging, energy code requirements, and the use of thermal break solutions designed to improve energy efficiency in the building envelope.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Green or vegetative roofs have long been considered excellent for mitigating stormwater runoff and the heat island effect and reducing the energy load of building HVAC systems. However, their installations have also resulted in many additional benefits, such as increased tenant retention, improved human experience, and longer lifespan of the roof’s waterproofing membrane. This course provides an introduction to green roofs and describes the different types and components, including waterproofing membranes, drainage, and vegetation-free zones. It also examines how green roofs may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and SITES® v2 rating systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The fireplace has always been a focal point in any home, providing warmth and a place for friends and family to gather. Today’s wood-burning fireplaces, inserts, and stoves have become increasingly efficient and clean burning. This course examines using wood as a fuel source and discusses the many characteristics that can affect heat production, efficiency, and burn time. New burning technologies that meet EPA certification requirements for released particulate matter are summarized, as are design and installation specifications.

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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, 15 minutes ) 

    Today’s louvers not only are functional but also offer enhanced architectural design to the façade of many buildings. More than just a hole in a wall, louvers are responsible for reducing or eliminating water infiltration and offer protection from heavy storms and hurricanes. Different types of louvers and their applications are discussed in this course as well as specific terminology, AMCA/BSRIA testing procedures, and the Certified Ratings Program.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Insulating concrete form (ICF) products use a cost-effective and robust structural material option (reinforced concrete) to turn a building envelope into a high-performing thermal, moisture, and air enclosure with disaster resistance and built-in compliance with energy code requirements. As a result of ICF performance, building owners can complete a whole structure with ICFs and reinforced concrete, including intermediate suspended floors, rooftops, and multistory designs. This course examines the advancements in ICF technology and discusses the potential contribution of ICFs to supporting improved sustainability and resilience.

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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 ) 

    New technology and improvements in masonry veneer installation can help your team save time and money in the construction process while providing superior results. In this course, you'll learn how cutting-edge technology is helping masons move beyond traditional lath and scratch and be introduced to the principles behind enhanced masonry veneer installation systems (EMVIS). Learn how to create permanent, high-strength installations for residential, commercial, and industrial applications using EMVIS with fortified mortars and innovative waterproofing barrier membranes that protect against air and water penetration.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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. 

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Due to advancements in architectural decorative glass technology, the number of design options available to help designers and architects achieve the specific aesthetics and performance requirements they desire has dramatically increased. This course provides a review of architectural decorative glass including product options, applications, features, and specification considerations. Also discussed is how decorative glass can contribute to sustainable design and LEED® initiatives.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The increase in building energy efficiency requirements has led to the use of exterior continuous insulation (CI) to improve the performance of the building envelope. This presentation reviews the benefits of polyiso continuous insulation and then examines in detail the NFPA 285 test standard and fire safety requirements of the 2021 International Building Code for the use of polyisocyanurate insulation in exterior walls of commercial buildings (Construction Types I—IV).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Natural stone pathways offer functional, sustainable solutions that maximize user enjoyment of outdoor spaces without compromising aesthetics. This course reviews pathway material options in terms of durability, appearance, and financial and environmental costs and benefits. The focus is on three natural stone pathway mixes, designed to meet the permeability, erosion resistance, accessibility, traffic level, and installation and maintenance requirements of any project. Also reviewed are how these materials may contribute toward credits in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES®) v2 rating systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    It’s easy to be overwhelmed by outdoor solar lighting specs and components, especially when every manufacturer presents its products differently. Lighting professionals can help clients put these manufacturers on an equal playing field. Providing an in-depth introduction to the technology and benefits of off-grid solar lighting, this course explores why clients choose commercial solar lighting, what components make up a solar lighting system, and the three steps lighting professionals can take to ensure their clients choose a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution that meets their unique expectations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Acrylic solid surface and quartz materials provide versatile solutions for designs that balance aesthetics, durability, and health. This course examines their performance benefits, emerging design trends, and real-world applications, highlighting key specification considerations. Also reviewed are how acrylic solid surface and quartz materials may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ v2.

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  • ( ~ 2 hours ) 

    Window frames offer many important benefits for buildings, especially when it comes to energy and environmental performance, and frame material selection is a critical aspect of the design process. This course discusses pultruded fiberglass window systems and compares them with traditional wood, aluminum, and PVC window systems across a wide variety of performance attributes.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Often the largest access point in a building, sectional door systems play a significant role in controlling energy costs and supporting sustainable design in residential and commercial buildings. This course explores the specification considerations and the different types of sectional garage doors, as well as their role in enhancing the thermal performance of homes and commercial buildings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Fire safety and suppression are essential design features for building projects. This course explores how innovative water mist fire suppression systems can enhance occupant safety in homes while preserving aesthetics and minimizing water damage. Key design principles of electronically controlled water mist systems are examined, and their installation and maintenance are described. Also discussed is guidance for dealing with code officials when using these systems as an alternative to traditional fire sprinklers.

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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 ) 

    Amenity decks, podiums, and other on-structure spaces have become essential components of urban developments, providing green spaces for recreation and socializing as well as satisfying sustainable building requirements. Explore how to design elevated green spaces that attract visitors, retain tenants, and create meaningful places to connect with nature.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This introductory course on spray polyurethane foam (SPF) covers component chemistry, different types of SPF, and the proper use of SPF in construction applications. In addition, the course addresses code compliance related to SPF for residential and commercial construction, as well as safe SPF installation practices. Participants will come away with a strong knowledge of how the proper use and application of spray foam can improve the indoor environment and the durability of the built environment.

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Displaying 101 - 125 of 460 results.

FIRST PREV [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] [126-150] [151-175] NEXT LAST