Most of us don’t plan our environments to accommodate unforeseen changes in ability or even age-related limitations. But when change occurs, our environments can hinder our day-to-day living. Universal design adds value regardless of where people are in their lives and allows people with a range of abilities to live in comfort. In this course, we’ll look the guiding principles of Universal Design and some innovative and highly functional kitchen and bath solutions.

This course will discuss overall project performance from the perspective of improved steel joist design and metal decking design. This includes ways to improve the request for information (RFI) process, and ways to reduce a range of traditionally tolerated project costs. Best engineering practices, cost-accountable architectural achievement, practices that reduce the consumption of raw materials, and the importance of taking the project owner's point of view when designing the steel package will be summarized. Building information modeling (BIM) - based project collaboration will also be discussed.

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

Sustainable construction and high-performance buildings offer tremendous benefits to building owners, building occupants, and the larger community. Course content goes beyond codes, standards, and sustainability rating systems to explore options and best practices for getting the most out of green construction. This course provides foundational information and application opportunities on topics such as optimizing a building's energy efficiency; installing innovative, alternative energy solutions; and addressing the larger community challenges of storm water management and the urban heat island effect.

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

For the typical homeowner choosing exterior color can be a daunting task; however, there is guidance available to help choose color palettes that complement the exterior of the home. This course presents the FRESH approach: a strategic method used for the selection of colors for the exterior of buildings. The course focuses on both residential and commercial design considerations, and details the steps to follow in the color selection process to achieve a harmonious design.

Our planet’s resources are finite. Fresh water in particular, is under ever-increasing constraints. By choosing more efficient, eco-friendly fixtures and following sustainable building and product design programs, we can have a positive impact on this global issue, without sacrificing our current lifestyle. In this course, we will review these issues and discuss sustainability programs, products and design choices that can have a positive impact.

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

For those who desire the look and feel of granite, but are concerned about its drawbacks, engineered quartz may be the solution. Harder and stronger than granite, engineered quartz offers a design aesthetic that is different from other surfacing materials. This course provides an overview of the characteristics, features, and benefits of engineered quartz surfaces, as well as a discussion on the related green certification programs.

Today, architects and designers need to give special consideration to building acoustics when developing plans for new and newly renovated construction projects. Excessive noise in any environment is considered a serious problem which can lead to learning difficulties, sleep deprivation, delayed recovery from illness and lack of privacy. Sound basics are discussed in this course, and STC, IIC, and sound attenuation (reduction) techniques are explained. Various case studies are examined to develop further understanding of the performance of common sound abatement assemblies.

The role of a fire rated door is to maintain the integrity of a fire rated enclosure in the event of a fire, giving building occupants enough time to exit the burning building. This course is an introduction to fire rated doors and a general review of the fire codes that relate to fire doors and hardware, referencing IBC 2012 and 2015, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulations, and the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines).

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

While providing fresh air intake and exhaust, reducing noise, and keeping out unwanted water and debris, louvers can also provide architectural style to a building design. This course discusses the aesthetics and weather resistance features of a variety of louver designs from the basic to the extreme. A discussion about the industry standards and test protocol for louver performance is included.

HVLS fans work in tandem with natural ventilation or HVAC systems, reducing or eliminating many of the challenges associated with these systems while offering significant energy efficiencies. This course examines high volume, low speed (HVLS) fans and includes discussions on the indoor environmental benefits of air movement; thermal comfort; supplementing a traditional HVAC system with HVLS fans; innovations in fan design and technology; and the standards that govern fan performance.

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

The key to an energy-efficient metal building is the implementation of a continuous insulation system that virtually eliminates thermal bridging and prevents condensation. This course discusses how using thermal spacer blocks and metal building insulation in the building envelope increases energy performance and meets stringent energy code requirements.

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

When choosing flooring for healthcare applications the patient’s needs are paramount; however, the needs of the facility and the staff, and the unique demands of the healthcare industry also need to be addressed. This course explores resilient flooring options for the healthcare industry and includes discussions on industry requirements, types of products available, product properties, and specifications.

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

Green building, also known as sustainable building, is both a structure and a process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life cycle. A critical part of green building includes innovative products and services for the rooftop: solar PV systems, daylighting systems, and vegetative roofing systems. These innovative products and services for the rooftop will increase energy efficiency. They also use environmentally responsible design methods and materials, and improve the work environment for occupants.

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

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.

People experience color in different ways and in different settings; in particular, people in healthcare settings who are vulnerable, healing, or aging are influenced by colors used in interior design. This course presents an overview of color and how we perceive it, as well as some of the research findings on color’s effects on psychological, emotional, and physical health. Designers will also learn how color can enhance safety, orientation, and navigation, and the role that non-SBR rubber can play in offering optimal flooring solutions for healthcare institutions.

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

Modern construction has come to understand that a façade, as part of an overall building envelope, is not only a visual statement, but also an important influencer in the protection of a wall’s structural components, the energy efficiency of the building, and the health of its occupants. This course explores a unique surfacing material known as ultracompact surfacing (UCS) and evaluates its mechanical properties, technical characteristics, and aesthetics to illustrate its endless design potential in exterior cladding, façade and rainscreen applications.

Les sons excessifs peuvent nuire à la santé et au bien-être des occupants. Il en résulte une tendance grandissante à améliorer la performance insonorisante des assemblages de bâtiment. Pour cette raison, des modifications importantes ont été apportées au Code national du bâtiment du Canada 2015 (CNB) visant à passer de l’indice de transmission du son (ITS) à l’indice de transmission du son apparent (ITSA) qui s’applique aux assemblages offrant des niveaux de performance insonorisante plus élevés. Le présent programme de formation explique comment les essais acoustiques en laboratoire sont réalisés, les principes de base du contrôle du son, les différentes méthodes de transmission du son à l’intérieur des bâtiments (son aérien, bruit d’impact et transmission indirecte du son) et comment satisfaire aux exigences du CNB 2015 pour les cotes ITSA.

Leading aluminum extrusion manufacturers have established a variety of methods pertaining to material grade, surface protection, and component solutions to maximize the benefits of aluminum to suit a wide variety of applications. These advancements in technology have led to the development of sustainable wood-patterned aluminum products designed for exterior and interior applications. This course focuses on how these products can be used as a beautiful, high performance, durable alternative for real wood in a range of applications, including screens, facades, decking, fencing, gates, cladding, and more.

HVLS fans are generally designed to be used in conjunction with an HVAC system and contribute to an energy efficient and environmentally friendly design. This course reviews the role of HVLS fans in thermal comfort and energy savings.

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

Provides an overview of the characteristics and architectural applications of perforated metal, expanded metal, and wire mesh products including descriptions of metal types and mechanical finishes.

Provides an overview of the applications, terminology, and specification considerations relating to Bar and Plank Grating products.

The roofing system can have a dramatic effect on the building’s life cycle and energy costs, as well as its overall appearance. This course explores stone coated steel roofing systems, and includes discussions on the installation methods used, testing and standards, and comparative characteristics and sustainable attributes of stone coated steel roofing versus traditional roofing materials.

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

Exterior shading devices offer a number of advantages that contribute to a more sustainable building, including minimizing cooling costs, reducing peak electricity demand, and controlling glare. These benefits result in greater occupant comfort and improved productivity. This course provides a review of exterior aluminum shading device systems, including the components, finishes, and design and engineering considerations, as well as a discussion of how shading strategies contribute to LEED® accreditation.

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

Traditionally used for high-performance architectural applications, water-based PVDF coatings can now be applied to cellular PVC cladding materials, delivering high performance in a new application. This course presents the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and focuses on water-based PVDF coatings, how they work, and how their performance characteristics contribute to their durability.

Deck structures provide neat and sturdy living spaces that mirror interior conveniences while set in the ultimate, great outdoors. Choosing the right deck board for a specific project requires considering the size of the project, its location, and local climate conditions. This course discusses the performance characteristics and benefits of using multi-layer, cellular PVC decking—a durable decking material that replicates the unique beauty of exotic hardwood.