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.

Given the number of low-slope commercial roofs found in today’s metropolitan cities, it’s key that architects/designers have an understanding of the forces that affect the durability of a roof assembly and the high performance options that are available in order to choose the best solution for each project. This course provides a review of the types and performance characteristics of cover board materials used in commercial roofing assemblies, along with a discussion of the forces that threaten roof-system durability.

In multi-story, multi-family housing it is the area separation wall (firewall) which prevents fires from spreading to adjacent units. This course examines the advantages of using glass mat shaftliner panels for firewall assemblies in multi-story, multi-family housing, and covers the installation procedures and special conditions.

The construction of buildings that use less energy to operate and are long lived is a key part of sustainable design. Insulated concrete forms are one solution that provide the necessary U values, air tightness and durability. In this course, we will delve into the ICF wall, types and components and look at design considerations and construction.

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

This course considers the design of energy-efficient buildings, which must include an effective, lasting, moisture-management strategy. Moisture management is essential to resilient, sustainable, healthy buildings.

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

Provides an overview of fiberglass mat gypsum panels, and explains their potential contribution to LEED® certification and other sustainable building codes and standards, as well as addresses issues of indoor air quality and construction scheduling.

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

From “fashion to function,” the shower space of the bathroom is a focal point, offering a quiet respite in which to rejuvenate. Shower spaces should be built to last, using durable materials combined with sound installation practices in order to reduce the life cycle and replacement costs. This course outlines the criteria used in designing water management systems for shower pans and walls. Includes discussions on traditional and modern methods of waterproofing shower floors and walls, new methods of construction, as well as the innovative design options that are available for curbless shower pans.

Concrete faced insulated products are composite pre-finished panels that are used to construct walls and roofing assemblies to maximize the energy efficiency, durability, and performance of a building envelope. This course discusses the design criteria used in designing energy efficient buildings using concrete faced continuous insulation systems for low-slope roofing, walls, and foundations. The functional and physical features of protective membrane roof (PMR) systems, concrete faced insulated panels for walls and foundations, and concrete structural insulated panels (CSIPs) are evaluated.

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.

Bathrooms can be dangerous places for people with and without physical limitations. The prevalence of bathroom falls amongst persons of all age groups and levels of ability has driven the trend of accessible shower design. Presented here is an overview of how curbless shower pans are designed for durability and safety, and meet the needs of accessible design. Included are discussions on traditional and modern shower pan design and installation methods and their associated drawbacks and benefits. Industry resources and standards are outlined.

Provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of designing with cellular PVC trim, including a discussion on the installation guidelines and manufacturing processes.

Data centers, some consuming up to 200X the energy of comparably sized office space, are rapidly evolving in numbers, size, location, and energy demands. These facilities are frequently becoming integrated into other buildings and the purview of the architect. This course reviews the data center impact on building design and then identifies and describes the most effective design approaches and fitments that building designers can employ to control their capital and operating costs, spatial needs, and energy consumption.

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

Hospitality and commercial restrooms have a major impact on how patrons perceive a building or business. A modern luxury restroom doesn’t have to stop at simply meeting patrons’ expectations for sustainability, hygiene, and functionality; it can do so while also making a striking minimalist design statement that is sleek and elegant. This course presents some of the sustainable, hygienic, functional, and distinctive options for modern luxury restrooms.

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

The design of behavioral healthcare facilities should address the therapeutic and safety needs of patients and staff while meeting the applicable codes and regulations. Reviewed in this course are ligature-resistant products developed for patient rooms and bathrooms that strike the balance between providing the safest design solutions while creating a noninstitutional environment.

Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. This course provides an overview of the properties of Redwood Timbers including insulation properties, grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength. It concludes with numerous case studies exploring the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures.

Since North America’s post-war building boom, the unique characteristics of gypsum board have served the needs of builders well. Now, with environmental concerns directing many design decisions, how does gypsum board respond? This course looks at how gypsum board contributes to sustainably designed buildings, ensuring healthy indoor air and low waste.

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

Cement board is a lightweight, rigid substrate that provides an exceptionally hard, durable surface that is able to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. This course addresses cement backer board, its features and benefits, and versatile interior and exterior applications, including Cement Board Stucco Systems (CBSS) and Cement Board Masonry Veneer (CBMV). The program reviews CBSS and CBMV components and performance benefits.

A well-designed building is only as durable as the roof that protects it. For a relatively minor investment, roofing cover boards solve many issues that cause damage to a roof during installation and into the warranty period. This course reviews low-slope roof systems and discusses various cover board types and reasons for their use, including benefits, primary features, and challenges.

Clay bricks have been used for construction projects such as walls and pavement for thousands of years. Fired bricks are one of the strongest and longest-lasting building materials and offer many advantages. This course discusses the advantages of using clay permeable paving in a construction project and how a permeable pavement system mitigates the damaging effects of stormwater runoff, and presents an overview of the design process.

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

Properly designed ventilation is a key component of a heathy roof environment and exterior building envelope. A balanced intake and exhaust system will ensure the attic space is not retaining excess moisture that could result in damage to the roof decking material, excess mold and mildew growth, ice dams causing shingle damage, algae growth, and water or mold stains on the interior ceiling and walls. Additionally, proper ventilation in the exterior building envelope can help prevent premature deterioration of the siding and roof covering materials. This course explains the fundamentals of attic and envelope ventilation and highlights the importance of a balanced system, identifies the many venting options available, and discusses various ventilation case studies.

Louvers are an essential part of every HVAC system but their selection and sizing is often misunderstood or overlooked. In this course we’ll take a thorough look at louver components, types, options, and accessories and appropriate selection and proper sizing of louvers for a variety of climates, including WDR (wind-driven rain) and hurricane areas.

It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing, they have to provide measurable benefits. This course outlines the environmental benefits of insulated concrete forms (ICFs) and examines the advantages that ICFs and ICF technology have over conventional construction materials for building envelopes in all building types.

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

White roofs made of 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.

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

Across the United States, building owners in hot and cold climates are subject to peak energy demand charges. This course examines the economic and environmental effects of peak energy demand as applied to modern buildings, focusing on how peak energy demand is incorporated into utility billing structures and how cool or reflective roofing yields peak demand and net energy savings in all climates within North America.

The commercial space design trend toward open plans has had a major impact on interior electrical and digital infrastructure. Offices, hotels, retail spaces, and transit areas all utilize open spaces, each with their own specific issues and requirements. This course provides designers with the information required to provide code-compliant, user-friendly, and convenient power, data/communication, and AV access for a wide variety of spaces and end users, including facility managers, cleaning staff, and visitors.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory