Secret doors and spaces have been used throughout history to protect valuables, hide people, conceal activities, and provide amusement. This course examines some historic examples before discussing contemporary uses for hidden doors and rooms. Suggested design strategies and hardware specifications are discussed, and safety guidelines, common design mistakes that might expose the existence of a secret door, and some inspirational case studies are reviewed.

This course provides an overview of life safety dampers: fire, smoke, and combination fire and smoke dampers with a focus on different styles and types. It focuses on their uses and benefits and has a discussion on proper installation practices and guidelines.

Mass timber, a type of building material and structural framing style, was recently adopted by the 2021 International Building Code, and as such is a rapidly growing building trend in the United States. When it comes to building systems in mass timber structures, product decisions must be thoroughly thought out early in design, allowing for efficient design modeling and a speedy construction phase. This course provides designers an overview of the updated IBC as it relates to mass timber building, as well as the many applications and challenges designers face when it comes to providing code-compliant and aesthetically pleasing power, data/communication, and AV throughout the building space.

This course explains the NFPA 285 test method, its origin, its procedures, when it is required, and design considerations necessary for compliance. Criteria in ASHRAE 90.1 for continuous insulation and air/water resistive barriers are reviewed and identified as contributors to the rise of NFPA 285 requirements. It addresses code compliance in light of recent material changes, code changes, and additional testing.

When structural stability and thermal continuity collide, structure has historically taken precedence necessitating tradeoffs such as increased insulation in other areas or acceptance of energy loss and potential moisture damage. The foundation transition from below grade to masonry ledge to masonry veneer wall is one such challenge. What if there was a solution? This presentation explores solutions for perimeter foundation insulation including information needed to specify and install correctly.

Today’s office environment requires more agility and adaptability than in any previous decade. The list of changes occurring are constantly evolving, but they all require being free and untethered from the building. This course will examine how a designer accounts for the technological needs of power/data for these areas when the fixed assets, of the older building and power infrastructure, were built to handle a historically attached world. The new technological requirements will be measured, and a variety of solutions will be examined to assist designers with these modern challenges.

This course will cover knowing the definition of a smart hotel and why it matters for hotels and their guests and provide an understanding of how smart hotels will change the way hotels are managed and designed. Learn what leading technology is going to be a part of the smart hotel revolution and how to take the steps needed to get started with smart hotel technology for your property.

Pre-Cast Concrete assemblies are often the design solution to tight timelines and practical installation. With the addition of insulation and a toolkit of accessories, designers can improve efficiency, quality, and aesthetic often beyond stick-built options. How do you integrate continuous insulation into walls made from a series of panels shipped across the country? Join us to find out! Real-world case studies will be used to compare and contrast with frame construction.

Beyond aesthetics, ventilated façades and cladding systems provide added wind absorption, moisture protection, and insulation properties, resulting in prolonged building durability and sustainability that contributes to LEED points. In addition, these systems provide significant energy savings to building operations and noise reduction to increase occupant comfort. Learn about the top features and benefits of façade systems and how to select individual components based on environmental conditions, panel materials, and other factors. Gain understanding about how the mechanical and adhesive systems vary and overview the easy installation processes. Learn how adhesives absorb cyclical expansion and contraction due to environmental changes such as wind, temperature, and humidity. Within an hour, you'll have a solid understanding about ventilated façades/cladding systems' aesthetics, sustainability, and how they are built to last even under extreme conditions.

This course will explore how commercial restroom design can reduce touchpoints, promote proper hand hygiene and reduce the spread of infection.

This course is aimed to define what exactly continuous insulation is, and the key benefits of using it. The course will also show participants how continuous insulation complies with building and energy code requirements within that field.

Key findings from a recent study conducted by AIA with support from Owens Corning demonstrate that resiliency is a value shared across the design team. However, the interpretation of what resiliency actually means varies greatly based on factors such as design team role, construction type, and experience. This course will consider resiliency from multiple viewpoints, hypothesize on why discrepancies exist when it comes to defining resiliency, and demonstrate actual examples of resilient construction based on recent disaster assessments and actual in situ examples. The content aims to help design team members develop solutions that advance the resilience of commercial buildings.

Furniture Power: Accessible power and charging options in commercial spaces With more people using mobile devices than ever before, it's impossible to ignore the need for easily accessible power and charging options in commercial spaces. Several trends have contributed to this need, and these trends are now shifting space design and the correlating electrical infrastructure. Three specific markets have been especially impacted: hospitality, commercial office and public spaces. Power and charging requirements are shifting how engineers, architects and designers all plan for these spaces - whether it is due to code or demand. Learn about power and charging trends, requirements and changes that are hitting commercial spaces and the options that are available for you on the market right now.

Selecting flooring is an important decision, but equal emphasis should be placed on proper surface preparation to avoid costly flooring failures. This course reviews best practices for a typical hardwood flooring installation and discusses the innovative options that consolidate products and steps, saving time and money while enhancing certain performance characteristics.

Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. When designing exterior wall assemblies, the type and placement of insulation is critical. To address thermal performance, wall systems almost always feature insulation batts — friction fit between framing members. Depending on climate zone and construction type, though, insulation batts alone may not provide enough thermal resistivity. Continuous insulation is increasingly used in conjunction with insulation batts to optimize thermal performance.

In this presentation discover Chatfield Clarke’s tackboard panel line ideal for k-12 environments. Learn how our panels are easy to install, easy to clean, and easy to replace.

In the competitive landscape of AE consulting, every firm aims to maximize the profitability of their projects. Yet, a recurring obstacle that markedly diminishes potential earnings is engaging in work beyond the defined scope — a phenomenon widely recognized as scope creep. This notorious yet common pitfall could be siphoning thousands or even millions of dollars from your firm’s revenue annually. Fortunately, scope creep is not an insurmountable challenge. In fact, it can be substantially mitigated, if not eliminated, by instituting a handful of straightforward strategies early on in a project professional's career. Join us in this enlightening session where Anthony Fasano, PE, delves deep into proactive measures to identify and curb scope creep effectively, fostering not just profitability but also enhancing project delivery efficiency. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to set clear project boundaries, safeguarding your firm’s resources and setting a trajectory for success from the get-go. Discover the pathway to project parameters mastery and redefine your approach to scope management. Make “scope success” more than a mantra; make it a standard practice in your firm’s operation, starting with your next project.

Many food and beverage processing facilities are concerned with bacterial growth that can trigger an outbreak. With increasing regulations like FSMA, it's important for every plant to look for ways to be proactive in the management of equipment and processes. By identifying how to counteract bacterial growth, processing plants can defend themselves against deadly and costly recalls. An important area that is often overlooked are the electrical systems and devices present in food processing plants. There are a range of cost-effective and easy-to-implement plant safety solutions that can prevent contamination from these systems.

As a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, the building sector has an immense opportunity to play a role in the efforts to mitigate climate change. This course will give an overview of the global move toward a more sustainable future. We will explore the latest state of knowledge on climate change, the targets, goals, and regulations set to mitigate its worst effects, and what you, as an architect, can do to help. You will also learn about the science behind embodied carbon and why it is important, as well as other tools and resources available to advance the overall sustainability of the built environment.

Protected Roof Membrane Assemblies and particularly Vegetative Roof Assemblies place extreme requirements on the components below the surface from waterproofing to insulation and everything in between. Each component must meet specific standards to achieve energy efficiency and durability. This course describes the high-performance attributes of PRMA components and defines the building code/performance standards and best specification practices to meet fire, wind, thermal, and moisture performance.

Structural Silicone Glazing (SSG) is an advanced construction technique for facade systems where a silicone sealant is utilized for glass bonding and transferring wind loads to the curtainwall. SSG systems have offered architects and owners the ability to design a façade with unique aesthetic features with improved thermal performance since the 1970’s.

This presentation discusses the benefits of the SSG technique and explores its history and future prospects. In addition, the benefits of silicone are reviewed and the reasons they make an excellent choice for many building projects.

This program address the issues that are hindering the Landscape and construction industry. It will take a hard look at what trends are growing and what areas of landscape construction should be concentrated on. This program will also focus on how to face the construction obstacles by using products that are production, time saving, and profit orientated.

Objectives of this course will be to have the participants leave with the ability to understand the health, safety, productivity, protection and aesthetic benefits of Natural daylighting in occupied spaces. The benefits to the occupants of a space with diffused sunlight (no glare) instead of direct sunlight (glare). Understanding Natural Daylight improves occupant’s attendance productivity and health. Also the benefits of designing with low solar heat gain to lower the energy costs of cooling and high insulation properties benefiting the efficiency of heating of the building. There will also be explanation about providing safety of occupants egressing a building during a fire. Attendees will also learn about safety of providing a daylighting material, which can meet OSHA fall through, windborne debris, blast resistance and explosion venting protection. *This course is presented on behalf of Kalwall’s strategic partner Structures Unlimited, Inc.

Learn the fundamentals of fire rated doors and applications. Determine proper applications for various fire/smoke requirements and confirm that codes and accessibility requirements are met.

Exploring the utilization of translucent/diffused daylighting in order to earn LEED credits and aid in the implementation of Sustainable Design. Topics discussed include translucent daylighting techniques, energy conservation and the aesthetics aspects of building envelope design. Also discussed will be computerized Daylighting modeling EPD heat island effect.