Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 376 - 400 of 417 results.

FIRST PREV [301-325] [326-350] [351-375] [376-400] [401-417] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Natural fibers have been used for over 2,000 years as a method to strengthen building materials. Cellulose fiber provides an excellent alternative to traditional secondary reinforcement, reducing plastic shrinkage cracks and improving durability, impact resistance, shatter resistance, and freeze/thaw resistance without compromising the appearance or finishability of a concrete surface. This course covers the evolution of fiber, its benefits, and why it is a sustainable material.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As urban development encroaches upon natural habitats, human—wildlife conflicts, particularly those involving bears, have become more frequent and dangerous. This course will equip architects and designers with the knowledge and tools to mitigate bear—human conflicts through wildlife-resistant waste management and food storage systems. The course examines how bears become conditioned to human food and how this impacts humans, bears, and the environment. Learners will gain insights into how community strategies and innovative product designs can foster safer, more sustainable human—wildlife coexistence.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In today’s building designs, considering the environmental impact of construction projects is of utmost importance. As a result, factors such as durability, installation speed, cost reduction, and long-term value have become crucial aspects of building designs. This course addresses these concerns in the context of nonresidential building renovations, focusing specifically on using state-of-the-art acoustical ceiling coatings as an alternative to removal and replacement with new materials. The course also examines how acoustical ceiling coatings may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rooftop deck systems offer the design flexibility to create adaptable, sustainable outdoor spaces that provide myriad environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic benefits. This course presents the three pillars of sustainability and how building products, materials, and systems can contribute to sustainable design. It outlines forest management objectives and practices and the responsible sourcing of wood for rooftop deck tiles. Case studies exemplify how rooftop deck systems can contribute to sustainable design objectives.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines key selection criteria for stage flooring, including fixed, sprung, and dynamic systems. It covers permanent and portable solutions, surface materials, and sustainability in material choice and life-cycle management. Case studies highlight the impact of flooring on performance quality, safety, and environmental factors. The course also addresses accessibility, installation, refurbishment, and related manufacturer services.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As more companies invest in solar to generate clean power for their operations, meet environmental goals, or save money on electrical bills, architects and building owners may need to be prepared to accommodate rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in both existing and new buildings. This course provides an introduction to rooftop PV systems, including a discussion of modules, components, and attachments, and best practices for a durable roof and PV system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    At their root, metal roofs and walls made from steel, copper, zinc, or aluminum have a lower environmental impact because of their ability to be recycled and reused. This course focuses on the green aspects of standing seam metal roofs, and in particular, their cool roof characteristics. Also addressed are the implications of heat islands, what constitutes construction of cool roofs/walls and how they work, some rules of thumb for understanding cool metal roofing, roof slope impacts on performance, and codes, ratings, and standards that apply to designing cool roofs/walls.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Light-manipulating materials use internal channels to capture, bend, scatter, and redirect light and create visually stunning spaces. Panels and slabs in resin, glass, and terrazzo make an experiential surface for privacy screens or signage, primary or accent lighting, and countertops or flooring—anywhere the interplay of light and shadow is desired for beauty and inspiration. This course describes the different types of light-manipulating materials and substrates, design and installation options, and the contributions of these products to sustainability goals as well as occupant health, well-being, and engagement in a wide range of dynamic, unique applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The growth of EV (electric vehicle) adoption is accelerating and the behavior of EV drivers is increasing the demand for electric vehicle charging stations. This education course explains the different types of charging available and their suitable applications, and discusses the planning and installation considerations for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    A high-performance building envelope, such as one made with architectural insulated metal panels (IMPs), serves as the building’s primary defense against environmental elements and protects the health and well-being of its occupants. This course reviews the components and benefits of IMPs, which offer all four control layers—air, vapor, thermal, and water—within a single component, delivering superior thermal performance and high-end design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. Choosing the right insulation and putting it in the right location is becoming one of the most important decisions in design, construction, and retrofit. Reviewed in this course are the features, benefits, and design and installation considerations related to mineral wool continuous insulation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Buildings, roads, and man-made landscapes can harm the natural environment with their effect on the natural water cycle. Architects and designers need to be aware of the best practices and experts’ recommendations to specify the correct type of drainage system that serves users and protects the environment. This course discusses the positive contributions of modern drainage systems to the built environment and their role in improving sustainability. The technical and aesthetic aspects of trench drain design are also covered.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long lasting and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC rebutted and rejointed (R&R) prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Energy codes at the federal, state, and local levels increasingly focus on reducing energy consumption, saving consumers money, and reducing CO2 emissions. Whether new or recently updated, energy codes play an essential role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work, and play in. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code ® , with a focus on plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    White roofs made of PVC (vinyl) can reflect three-quarters or more of the sun's rays and emit 70% or more of the solar radiation absorbed by the building envelope. Despite protecting and keeping buildings cool in all climates around the world for decades, misconceptions about the energy impact of cool roofs still exist. This course uses the fundamental science behind cool roofs to address alleged issues concerning the performance of cool roof products.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rubber has been recycled for over a century and has been utilized in recycled rubber flooring (RRF) for more than 70 years, demonstrating its proven durability, resilience, and design flexibility. This course examines RRF as a sustainable material solution and its role in enhancing the performance of the built environment. Additionally, the course explains the rubber recycling and RRF manufacturing processes, along with the best practices for specification and installation. Also included is an overview of how RRF can contribute to credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) rating systems and the WELL™ Building Standard v2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Palm is a plentiful but underused resource with many possibilities to enhance architectural design. This course describes the growth, harvesting, and rendering of palm, how it is manufactured into flooring, plywood, and paneling products, and what to consider when specifying and installing. A detailed look at the products available as well as project examples demonstrates how palm products 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.

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  • ( ~ 2 hours ) 

    This presentation focuses on four major areas of managing a LEED project team from the general contractor’s perspective. It includes an overview of the integrative process; identifying potential members and responsibilities of the project team and discussing how to implement that process in detail; investigating why the role of a LEED project manager is critical to the success of the project; ideas based on personal experience; and examples of past projects with best practice recommendations for a practical approach.

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     In order to download this course, a USD $70.00 fee must be paid.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Lack of secure bicycle parking and storage is one of the top barriers to increased bicycle ridership. However, there is much more to selecting functional and appropriate bike storage than installing a few racks at the building sidewalk. This course examines best practices for bicycle racks and shelters for indoor and outdoor bicycle parking and storage, including typical municipal guidelines and regulations, incentives, guidance on shelters, and rack planning and design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the use of entrance floor systems in commercial buildings in order to promote a safe and clean environment. The course explains the codes, regulations, and guidelines specifically related to entrance flooring systems for high-traffic entrances in healthcare, education, transportation, corporate, and other commercial settings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    In the wake of the green movement, combined with rising energy costs, building sustainability has become an important topic. This course examines how foil-faced polyisocyanurate (polyiso) continuous insulation can function as a multiple control layer, providing a building with an air and water-resistive barrier and a thermal control layer. Additionally, this course reviews building codes and standards for meeting the continuous insulation requirements in steel stud building envelope designs, the benefits of using polyiso insulation in wall assemblies, and how polyiso insulation meets NFPA 285 requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    No discussion about a material’s sustainability is complete unless it addresses embodied carbon, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with the material over its cradle-to-grave life cycle. Changes made to spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation formulations address the impacts of embodied carbon. This course explores the evolution and environmental impacts of SPF blowing agents, the performance benefits of SPF, physical property testing and certifications, and SPF’s potential LEED® v4 contributions. Case studies make evident the performance value of SPF.

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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 ) 

    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.

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Displaying 376 - 400 of 417 results.

FIRST PREV [301-325] [326-350] [351-375] [376-400] [401-417] NEXT LAST