Window films can be used in a variety of applications including solar control, energy efficiency, safety and security, and decorative, and films even provide antigraffiti protection. This course reviews the science behind solar energy and heat transfer and will help you understand how window film works in different applications. It also looks at how window films can contribute to everything from improving the environment to protecting the safety of building occupants.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

There is an extremely wide array of coated or composite fabrics available on the market, each type formulated for specific uses and with different levels of performance and quality. To assist in the decision-making process, standards have been developed to show product performance, facilitate quality control, and assure designers that the product they are specifying is suitable for normal commercial use. This course briefly outlines the history, properties, and uses of coated fabrics, the intent and content of one coated fabric standard, and the testing protocols that support it.

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

Universal design is not a new concept; however, it is time for a paradigm shift. Considering ADA design, universal design, and living in place, should designers now be offering universal design solutions to all clients, regardless of age or ability? This course reviews both ADA and universal design guidelines and discusses compelling reasons for recommending universal design in your kitchen and bathroom projects. Various kitchen and bathroom applications are discussed in detail.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

Heat loss in buildings is largely attributed to poorly performing windows and walls. Fiberglass windows and doors and cladding support systems contribute to superior building envelope thermal performance. Presented here is the impact of windows on building performance, the characteristics that make fiberglass windows thermally efficient, and how fiberglass cladding support systems mitigate thermal bridging, improving energy efficiency.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

Sustainable design and green practices have raised consumer awareness about the potential dangers lurking in buildings and homes from products such as paints and coatings. Environmental sustainability has influenced architects and interior designers to approach their projects in ways that boost health, lower consumption of nonrenewable resources, and minimize waste. This course looks at the evolution of sustainable design, ways to measure the environmental impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), how paints and coatings can contribute toward satisfying LEED® credits, and how these products may play a role in designing for well-being.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Google the phrase “commercial bathroom design trends” and you get results that include: functional design, ADA compliance, low-maintenance materials, privacy, transgender accommodation, and warm, high-end feel. This course focuses on commercial washroom and bathroom design, including disability accommodation; bather/use privacy; the problems of mold, mildew, and hygiene; and solid surface as a material alternative to help keep bathrooms and showers cleaner.

Ground improvements techniques are used when soils are not capable of supporting proposed structures. These methods improve the ground in three ways to varying degrees: increase strength, increase stiffness and reduce compressibility. This course provides an introduction to ground improvement technologies and an in-depth review of aggregate piers, their design, installation and benefits.

Flexible work scheduling, telework, virtual work, and the high cost of office space are some of the drivers of the 21st century workspace. This open, flexible, adaptable, and casual space must still serve not only the technological needs of its users, but also the accessibility needs of a diverse population. This course examines the technical requirements for providing accessibility, universal design, and ergonomics in an open office space and looks at a variety of solutions in the functional areas of the office: open office areas, the workspace, and collaboration areas.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

All wine, whether it is meant to be drunk in the first few years of its life or to be housed for years on end, can benefit from proper storage. Creating a wine storage space isn’t only about keeping the wine at the proper temperature. This course looks at general considerations for wine cellar design and presents a more detailed look at wine cellar fit-out and construction, including climate control.

Movable pool and spa floor technology enables an entirely flexible, multifunctional living and recreational space to complement any architectural vision. Presented here are types of movable pool floors, pool floor technology, options and amenities, and safety and sustainability performance considerations.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Exterior wall systems are the dividing line between the exterior and the interior and must address several fundamental performance goals of the building envelope. This course reviews traditional rainscreen design and examines why, with its single-component construction, an insulated composite backup wall system is a vast improvement over traditional multicomponent building technology.

Concrete is often the substrate for both new and existing floors. Transforming the surface into a finished floor is far more sustainable than consuming additional flooring materials, adhesives, and transportation-related energy to install a floor covering. This course discusses the stages and options of the concrete polishing process, recognizes benefits of recent advances in concrete densification chemistry, and provides an overview of the limitations and possibilities for concrete floor finishes.

Over time, urban parks and other open landscaped areas are being lost to development. One solution to mitigate this issue is to reconsider undeveloped areas such as building roofs to create green amenity spaces. Amenity decks can provide some alleviation of lost green space, while affording developers the potential to monetize underutilized spaces in their buildings and provide an advantage over older buildings to attract tenants.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

The building envelope must withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course explores rainscreen wall design and the control of hygrothermal loads. The traditional multicomponent backup wall assembly is compared with the single-component, insulated metal composite backup wall system, outlining key differences in design and construction and their overall effect on installation and performance.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

Considering door hardware early in the design process enhances the aesthetics and functionality of a space. Invisible hinges balance durability, security, and ease of use without detracting from the design. This course examines standard invisible hinges as well as those for fire-rated and closer doors, and offers guidance on specification and installation. Case studies demonstrate the array of invisible hinge applications, and innovative door hardware solutions for powered entry and ADA compliance are presented.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Research indicates that the quality of light directly affects the quality of life in a space; access to daylight and outdoor views promotes happiness and productivity. Reviewed in this course are the features of polycarbonate sheeting systems and how they contribute to energy-efficient daylighting design, as well as the overall health and well-being of the building occupants.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are not created equal; they have different capabilities to accommodate the varying needs of EV drivers. Presented here are the types of EV charging stations and their suitable applications, followed by an in-depth discussion of DC fast charging solutions, their benefits, and charging station site planning and design considerations and guidelines.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

Frameless glass railing systems are completely post-free and offer a minimalist aesthetic that maximizes views. This course presents the IBC code requirements for glass railing systems and explores how to specify the appropriate mounting, glass, and handrail components for the substrate, location, and expected use. Case studies of completed projects illustrate the unlimited design possibilities of frameless glass railings.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

The delivery of water can raise a variety of design issues and opportunities. This course discusses how the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply to plumbing products, including faucets, flush valves, toilets, and shower enclosures, and addresses key considerations for creating ADA-compliant restrooms, baths, and kitchens. It also illustrates how all structures, including residences, can benefit from elements of universal design and accessibility features that make a space safer and easier for people of all ages and abilities.

The plumbing system is an integral part of a healthy home and is required by code to keep the occupants safe. Homeowners are making their kitchens and bathrooms even more hardworking by selecting fixtures and faucets that anticipate their needs and help them to use water efficiently. This course discusses how fixture and faucet function, operation, performance, and placement affect water delivery in the kitchen and bathroom.

Millennials, sometimes known as Gen Y, account for nearly 75 million people in the U.S., ranging from 18 to 34 years of age. They are creative, technologically savvy, and can be described as a “green” generation, concerned about the environment and sustainability. The purpose of this course is to better understand the Millennial demographic and their ever-increasing impact on the growing multifamily market.

Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.

Synthetic (artificial) grass or turf has improved steadily since its first installation half a century ago, and it is now a sophisticated surfacing system that can be customized to suit specific purposes. This course reviews that development and then focuses on the specifics of synthetic grass suitable for use on playgrounds. This focus includes a detailed examination of its construction, installation, and maintenance, and a number of sample installations.

Meeting the ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 and maintaining an energy efficient home means balancing the need for fresh outdoor air and the energy needed to condition it. In this course we will examine the ventilation requirements in ASHRAE 62.2, discuss how they can be met, look at some solutions for energy efficient ventilating.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

This course provides a basic introduction to the International, Mid-Century Modern, and Ranch styles of architecture and design (and their offshoots) found in commercial and residential forms in the western United States. These styles helped shape the look of California, especially in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, from the 1920s through 1970s.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory