Color is often used functionally across many design elements; this can also be done with concrete by simply dosing standard concrete mix designs with pigment. Using pigment, concrete can be transformed from a plain, common material into a beautiful, sustainable, and enduring building element. Adding pigments to concrete elevates a project's quality and impact. This course presents basic knowledge of how concrete pigments are manufactured and how they are measured and dispensed to produce the desired color hue and intensity capable of elevating a project to the next level.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Rain has been cited as the most important thing to control in wall construction. Rainscreen systems have, for over five decades, proven to be highly effective in this regard. Following an analysis of moisture management issues and rainscreen systems, this course then identifies the unique attributes of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) for use in rainscreen applications. It concludes with a detailed description of how WPC cladding should be applied and fastened in rainscreen systems.

Food and wine preservation refers to the process of storing products under ideal conditions in order to maximize longevity. Preserving food and wine maximizes its shelf life and flavor which, in turn, enhances the enjoyment of its consumption. Additionally, proper preservation results in less waste and saves the consumer money. This course reviews the causes of premature food deterioration, the optimal conditions for storing wine and food, and the solutions that are available with a focus on modern refrigeration units.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Play and music are both essential parts of our lives. When we can combine music and play together in a fun and engaging space, the benefits are numerous, no matter your age. This course discusses why play and music education perform such a critical role in the development of happy, healthy children. We'll discuss the copious amounts of research that tell us that music education has real-life benefits, such as increased IQ, language development, and social engagement, and the role music plays within multiple therapies for the elderly and those suffering from mental illnesses. The course finishes with an overview of how to design musical play spaces for safety and inclusivity.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Fireplaces have long been a centerpiece in the home. This course presents an introduction to the types of gas fireplaces and vents, and covers the applicable code and standards for direct-vent, factory-built gas fireplaces. Also included are discussions on the protective safety barrier requirements, test methods for fireplace efficiency, and typical steps for installing direct-vent gas fireplaces and barriers.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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.

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

The typical challenges faced by designers of multistory building envelopes pale in comparison to wind forces of tornadoes and hurricanes. This course investigates how pressure equalized rainscreens (PERs) address heat loss, air infiltration, moisture migration, fire safety, and lateral forces—even under extreme wind and projectile testing. Aluminum composite material/metal composite material PERs are outlined in detail vis-à-vis standard tests, types of fabrication, and relevant building code requirements.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Dumpsters, concrete dividing walls, and rooftop HVAC equipment are commonplace in today's commercial industries. Unfortunately, these items are necessary but unsightly. However, dumpster enclosures, wall screens, and unit-attached rooftop HVAC screens can help building owners enhance aesthetics and meet code requirements. This course examines the various types of ground-level screens including enclosures, walls screens, and trellis systems and offers an in-depth discussion of HVAC equipment and unit-attached rooftop screening systems. Different installation techniques and comparative characteristics of traditional roof-mounted screening methods versus unit-attached screening methods are also discussed.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Kitchens have evolved, and so has the role of refrigeration in the home, and there are a variety of factors that are contributing to this change. This course examines the social, economic, and demographic trends that are stimulating the reimagining of the kitchen space. The latest trends in kitchen design are discussed, as is the role of modular refrigeration—a key design element in the creation of functional spaces that reflect the changing domestic landscape.

PVC-coated galvanized steel coil for roofing is made for fabrication into metal roofs, as well as the coping, fascia, and flashing typically used for low and steep slopes in the residential and commercial sectors. This course discusses its manufacture and performance properties to show why it ensures a long roof life, even in harsh and corrosive environments.

Prerequisites: Metal roof design and specification

Course Level: Intermediate

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

Stairs are a primary means of egress, exit, and floor-to-floor access for buildings with multiple floors or a change in rise. Metal stair systems designed for commercial and industrial applications can be fabricated out of steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum. This course evaluates types of pre-engineered steel stair systems and includes discussions on advantages, class, fabricator vs. manufacturer, railings, stair flight and landing construction, connections, and building code requirements.

In this one-hour presentation, we explore how HVLS fans can contribute to LEED v4, increase thermal comfort, and provide a silent and elegant design strategy. We discuss how to save energy and improve indoor air quality for building occupants. Our team will explain how HVLS fans provide a creative design solution that effectively moves large amounts of air within occupied spaces to cool building occupants, maintain thermal comfort, and support ventilation strategies. Finally, we will review computational fluid dynamics to measure airflow performance and impact to a space and how this can contribute to LEED v4 certification.

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

In recent years, demand has increased for better noise control in multifamily construction, driven mainly by consumer demands and stricter enforcement of existing codes. Residential noise control is a key component of design as it affects occupant privacy and well-being. This course reviews the dynamics of sound, how sound is transmitted through buildings, and the architectural techniques used to control airborne, structureborne, and flanking noise transmission in multifamily buildings.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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 2012, 2015, and 2018 IBC; NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulations; and the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines).

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

The spread of smoke in mid- and high-rise building fires is recognized as a major threat to the safety of the building occupants and responding fire personnel and the effectiveness of firefighting operations. This course explains how smoke migrates in a multistory building fire and discusses how building codes have evolved to address this danger and why they mandate smoke containment in specific areas of a structure. Product applications and assemblies designed to meet building code requirements and limit vertical smoke migration via elevator hoistways and lobbies are examined.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R-values for enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of the walls, roof, or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective, and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIPs as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings.

Outdoor shelters not only provide protection from the elements but also add visual interest to outdoor public spaces, and advances in shelter design are changing the way the recreational landscape is defined. This course looks at current capabilities in shelter design, compares pre-engineered to site-built shelters, and focuses on the advantages of using a manufacturer who offers design and engineering services. Sustainable aspects of shelter design are also discussed.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

A detectable warning surface is a surface feature designed to warn the visually impaired of hazards on a circulation path. Both the ADA accessibility guidelines and State of California regulations require detectable warning surfaces at a number of public right-of-way locations. This course looks at current guidelines and regulations for detectable warning surfaces, types of surfaces, and methods of implementing these regulations.

Fixed access ladders are a part of almost all commercial buildings, and yet their design and installation is often ignored or forgotten until the last stage of building inspection. An improperly designed and installed ladder can lead to safety concerns for the building's occupants. This course reviews different types of fixed access ladders and the corresponding safety codes and standards that ensure users' welfare. Ladder design features and materials required for safe fabrication and installation are discussed and various case studies are examined.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Moisture within roof assemblies, or the concern over such, can be a major focus of discussion for the design/build community due to project schedule delays and disruptions to businesses and institutions. Despite the disruption to projects this issue causes, there remain significant misunderstandings across the industry regarding product warranties, field moisture tests, and just how long it takes concrete “to dry.” This course discusses common terms associated with concrete that are often misused and misunderstood. Further, the various sources of roof system moisture are identified with clear recommendations given as to how a specification can proactively address potential moisture-associated problems within a roof assembly.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Ultrapremium appliances provide the opportunity to cook at home using the same level of equipment as professional chefs. This course explores the concept of the “prosumer” kitchen, the consumer values of the ultrapremium appliance market, and the styles, functions, and design considerations related to ultrapremium kitchen appliances.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Detectable warning surfaces are surfaces designed to warn the visually impaired of hazards in the path of travel. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) accessibility guidelines require detectable warning surfaces at public rights-of-way locations. The state of California is a leader in its requirements for detectable warning surfaces. This course introduces the current guidelines and regulations regarding detectable warning surfaces, as well as the different types of surface systems and installation methods.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Recycled rubber flooring is an environmentally responsible material that outlasts many types of traditional commercial flooring products when exposed to normal foot traffic stress. Interior and exterior recycled rubber surfacing products are explored in terms of their sustainable design benefits and applications. The program includes discussions on rubber manufacturing, post-consumer tires, and green building certification programs.

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

Rooftop decks create valuable living and recreational space for building owners, residents, and clients. Accommodating restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and everything from residential to government buildings, rooftop deck systems offer the design flexibility to create versatile, unique outdoor spaces over any structural surface. This course explores the features, surface materials, and design options for rooftop deck systems and provides an overview of recommended planning and installation guidelines.

The design community has become increasingly focused on ensuring that the products and places they create suit the diverse needs and differing abilities of everyone. This course explores how universal design principles and products can inform design to create places that are safer, more comfortable, visually appealing, and usable and that provide a richer experience for all users. This exploration utilizes the examples of door hardware and the needs of a diverse group of users including senior citizens and others to explain some of these principles and provides a detailed examination of a universally designed door latch.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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