With the relatively recent development of new products and procedures for polishing concrete, concrete floors have added aesthetic appeal to their list of impressive performance characteristics. This course will discuss improving and prolonging the performance of finished concrete floors by exploring the many benefits of concrete flooring, summarizing the procedure for creating concrete floors, explaining maintenance methods and spill removal, and explaining how a floor protection plan will aid in the prolonged service life of the floor.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Precast concrete pavers and roof deck systems enable designers to deliver on aesthetics and design objectives while achieving safety and durability requirements. Patented roof deck systems allow for the creation of safe and stable roof deck patios and green roofs that maintain sustainability requirements. This course examines the raw materials used in these systems, reviews the different finishes available, and discusses different paver applications and their methods of installation.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

 This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.

Paint in its various forms is an older material whose composition has constantly evolved, even in modern times. This evolution has included the identification and removal of certain hazardous ingredients. Similarly, paint removers have also evolved and improved their ability to deal with a wide range of old and new paint formulas while remaining safe for the occupant, the worker, and the environment at large. This course examines state-of-the-art nontoxic paint removers that are effective in removing as many as thirty coats of paint in one safe and efficient operation.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

Operable wall systems integrate the indoors and outdoors and define interior spaces, providing flexibility and additional usable area without increasing a building’s footprint. Occupants benefit from expansive daylighting and views as well as quick access to fresh air. This course describes the types of operable wall systems, how they contribute to sustainable design, and the various options and considerations for selecting the correct system.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

People spend more than 90% of their time indoors; incorporating sunrooms, conservatories, greenhouses, and/or other glass structures into homes or workplaces can be an effective way to reap the benefits of daylight. The positive impacts of incorporating more natural light into your lifestyle can be seen through energy savings, increase of productivity, and improvement of overall well-being. This presentation reviews strategies and design options to create unique overhead structures, standing structures, and vertical glazing systems that are energy efficient, comfortable, and functional.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Greenhouses are used in an array of applications from residential to commercial, institutional, or educational. This course describes the glazing options, accessories, environmental controls, and planning considerations that contribute to a successful greenhouse. Also presented are the configuration options and decorative details that make each greenhouse unique and ideally suited for its purpose.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

Designers, building users, and managers are increasingly focused on building and occupant health as well as energy conservation. This course explores how mixed-mode (hybrid) ventilation systems address all these issues by improving the ratio of fresh air introduced into buildings while reducing energy needs and costs. It describes the benefits, elements, and workings of these systems and provides design guidance and illustrative case studies.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

Acrylic solid surface is an attractive design solution, delivering enhanced aesthetics combined with superior performance properties. This course compares the characteristics of 100% acrylic solid surface to other surface materials and reviews the driving factors that contribute to its growing role in sustainable design strategies. Also discussed are the manufacturing, fabricating, and thermoforming processes of acrylic solid surface and the related green standards and certification programs.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Made from one of the hardest and most abundant minerals in nature, engineered quartz is a beautiful, durable surface solution for a wide range of commercial and residential applications desiring the beauty of natural stone without its drawbacks. The raw materials of quartz surfacing are harvested from the Earth and formed into slabs via an innovative production process, resulting in a homogenous, nonporous material with superior performance and low maintenance requirements. Reviewed in this course are the features, fabrication guidelines, and design trends of quartz surfacing.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Adding wood, stone, or masonry accents can dramatically change the look of a space, but time, cost, or even structural requirements can interfere. This course reviews the use of realistic, lightweight, cost-effective, and easy-to-install options for decorative faux elements. The performance, design options, and installation of high-density polyurethane panels, beams, truss systems, mantels, and column covers are examined.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

As architects push the boundaries of design, materials that offer flexibility are essential; single-skin architectural metal wall panel systems provide such flexibility. Presented here are architectural metal wall panels, their fabrication process, design possibilities, and applications. Also discussed are the components and features of a perfect wall and a multicomponent wall assembly, the testing, safety, and installation of multicomponent metal wall panel systems, and how metal wall panels and their manufacturers can contribute to sustainability objectives.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

The first course of this series from the Carbon Leadership Forum provides a high-level overview of embodied carbon: how it is defined, its significance in the global climate crisis, and how it is impacted by the construction industry. In addition, the course examines procurement policies as an embodied carbon reduction strategy—in particular, the Buy Clean policies, their uptake in the US, and their key elements.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

Buildings, roads, and man-made landscapes can harm the natural environment with their effect on the natural water cycle. Architects and designers need to be aware of the best practices and experts’ recommendations to specify the correct type of drainage system that serves users and protects the environment. This course discusses the positive contributions of modern drainage systems to the built environment and their role in improving sustainability. The technical and aesthetic aspects of trench drain design are also covered.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

 This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.

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 ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Stairs are often a prominent feature or even the focal point of an architectural design project and play a vital role in creating an aesthetically pleasing interior atmosphere, or an exterior welcoming point to a residential, commercial, or industrial building. This course provides an overview of the many benefits of installing precast concrete stair treads and landings, how to detail and specify them, and how to address related building code, design, and construction requirements.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

When installing precast concrete, it is important to plan for and know how to overcome numerous site challenges. If not dealt with properly, these challenges can prevent a project from passing inspection and can result in installation problems, moving and cracking of pavers, and safety hazards to pedestrians. This course addresses the most frequently asked questions regarding on-site paving issues to facilitate a successful installation for a variety of applications.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

Fireplaces remain one of the main focal points of a home. No longer used only for heating or cooking, and coupled with advances in technology and fuel options, fireplaces have evolved into an architectural component of the designed living space. Modern gas fireplaces offer an environmentally friendly heating solution with high efficiency ratings and contemporary designs that don’t sacrifice form for function. This course offers an overview of contemporary fireplace styles, options, venting, and installation, with a focus on cool wall technology and how it allows electronics and other design elements to be safely mounted over a fireplace.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Bathing facility code compliance does not have to result in an institutional look. Assisted living and healthcare facilities, hospitality installations, universities, multifamily buildings, and large commercial projects all have unique demands, and most require barrier-free, ADA, UFAS, ANSI, California Title 24, or Massachusetts compliant bathing and showering facilities. This course provides an overview of intelligent design solutions that simultaneously address these code requirements and the aesthetic and functional demands of each situation.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

Glass doors, windows, and storefronts are among the most vulnerable points of entry in the building envelope, and with episodes of riots, smash-and-grab crime, forced entry, and active shooters on the rise, the need for security glazing is growing. This course provides an understanding of the physical security needs of the built environment and what requirements should be met by threat mitigation products for existing storefront and building glazing. The course focus is on a new generation of clear, retrofit security “over-glaze” systems, utilizing heavy-gauge, architectural-grade polycarbonate and extruded framing designed to resist forced entry and ballistic attacks.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

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

Play is more than fun and games—it is an essential component in helping children develop critical physical, mental, emotional, and social skills that lay the foundation for adulthood. Inclusive play breaks down barriers and builds community through fostering understanding of our similarities and differences. This course discusses how play impacts child development and describes the options and considerations for designing an inclusive playground that benefits all children and the community.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.

Obesity rates in the U.S. have reached epic numbers and correlate to significant health and economic impacts. Outdoor obstacle courses in public green spaces can provide appealing, effective, and free training equipment to the community to help increase physical activity. Review the theories of obstacle course training and guidelines for their design and installation.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

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.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.

Terrazzo is versatile and durable, comes in a range of colors, and has multiple applications. It can be used in interiors and exteriors and, depending on the manufacturing process, can be customized to fit complex geometries. In this course, we discuss different applications of precast, cementitious, and epoxy terrazzo and the installation requirements, as well as the ability to customize these products to fit different design requirements.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

Concrete products such as precast pieces, pavers, and terrazzo have long provided builders with a flexible range of options for their projects. Beyond their versatility, these concrete products are highly sustainable, thanks to their ability to be recycled, low carbon footprint, and long life span.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

Aluminum as a building material has been in use for almost 90 years and in that time has proved to be safe, reliable, and extremely durable. Because the energy and resources required to produce it have been radically reduced recently, it is now regarded as one of the most sustainable building materials available. This course explores how the many benefits of aluminum can be incorporated into the design of attractive, strong, extremely durable, and corrosion-resistant aluminum fences and railings; how these products can be finished, specified, and installed; and the codes and standards that inform and govern their use.

 This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

 This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.