The courses below contain varying levels of sustainable design information.
Click here for information on the AEC Daily Sustainability Rating System.
Due to advancements in architectural decorative glass technology, the number of design options available to help designers and architects achieve the specific aesthetics and performance requirements they desire has dramatically increased. This course provides a review of architectural decorative glass including product options, applications, features, and specification considerations. Also discussed is how decorative glass can contribute to sustainable design and LEED® initiatives.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Good acoustic and aesthetic environments are important to the health, safety, comfort, satisfaction, productivity, and general well-being of all building users. This course outlines the benefits of and methodologies for simultaneously creating both with wall and ceiling acoustic treatments. The highly illustrated course includes detailed descriptions of the many acoustic wall and ceiling treatment options available, as well as sample installations.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Aesthetics, durability, and environmental performance are key considerations for architectural metal finishes. This course will help you identify long-lasting and sustainable aluminum extrusion coatings and includes discussions on the aluminum extrusion process; a comparison of powder and liquid coatings; an overview of the chrome and the chrome-free pretreatment processes; and the performance objectives of AAMA testing standards.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Through sustainable management, the forests of New England have had a remarkable comeback since the 1830s, with eastern white pine being the most represented softwood in these forests. This light, yet strong wood species has been used for generations and today, meets the requirements of a renewable and sustainable building material. This course reviews eastern white pine’s contribution to sustainability, its grading rules, wood products, and many applications.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
The growth of EV (electric vehicle) adoption is accelerating and the behavior of EV drivers is increasing the demand for electric vehicle charging stations. This education course explains the different types of charging available and their suitable applications, and discusses the planning and installation considerations for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Few aspects of the design process are conducted in “silos” that are as disassociated from one another as the approach many projects take to interior concrete slab specifications and subsequent flooring specification sections. This is not done intentionally but is rather a by-product of lack of coordination and a fundamental misunderstanding between those involved with the structural elements and those involved with the aesthetic and finishing elements. This presentation discusses sustainability and what it means, drawing the reader into a clear discussion of how sustainability relates to LEED®, lean construction, green building, and process improvement. Inconsistencies are exposed between the tenets of sustainability and current specification processes related to concrete moisture, with clear recommendations given as to how the specifying professional can resolve those disconnects.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
This session will begin with an explanation of the importance of energy efficiency, particularly with today's evolving grid portfolio. Attendees will be provided with an overview of the energy modeling process and a methodology for integrating it into the design process. They will also learn about a variety of ways to think about improving energy performance in building design. Using a medical office building as a case study, the session will look at a number of appropriate energy-efficiency strategies and will demonstrate how different strategies can be combined to achieve higher performance and value.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
In order to download this course, a USD $35.00 fee must be paid.
Energy codes are appearing on the federal, state, and local level in an effort to reduce energy consumption, save consumers money, and reduce CO2 emissions. Whether new or existing, energy codes play an important role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work, and play in. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 and the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code® and identifies plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
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.
Air curtains provide a controlled stream of air across a door or window opening, creating a seamless barrier between two distinct spaces while still allowing a smooth, uninterrupted flow of traffic. Air curtains offer significant energy savings to building owners by helping to maintain interior building temperatures. This course examines how air curtains reduce whole-building energy consumption, provide thermal comfort, and maintain air quality even when a door is open. The basic principles and theory of how air curtains operate and how to properly identify applications and maximize the air curtain’s energy savings potential are discussed in detail. Selection, application, and installation of the various types of air curtains are also explained.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the use of entrance floor systems in commercial buildings in order to promote a safe and clean environment. The course explains the codes, regulations, and guidelines specifically related to entrance flooring systems for high-traffic entrances in healthcare, education, transportation, corporate, and other commercial settings.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Our built environment must be optimized to create comfortable and healthier spaces. Shading systems can be used to enhance our spaces by providing optimal daylight and comfort to create an ideal indoor environment. This course reviews the performance, aesthetics, and material health of various shadecloth compositions and how each factor contributes to the shadecloth selection process.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
With a radiant heat system, the temperature profile associated with a forced-air system is switched around, and the entire floor becomes the radiator. The heat radiates from the floor, warming all of the objects in the room, and everything in the room gains a warm, comfortable feel to it. This course evaluates self-regulating polymer technology and the performance benefits of using PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heaters for energy-efficient floor warming, primary heating, snow melting, and roof deicing.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
This course introduces accessibility from Canadian and US perspectives. It covers a few specific technical accessibility requirements and compares the differences when referencing Canadian or US design standards, such as the National Building Code of Canada (Canada's Model Code) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (the United States accessibility regulation), while reinforcing the intent of good design that is not always outlined by a code or standard. The seven principles of universal design are also discussed.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
In order to download this course, a USD $35.00 fee must be paid.
This presentation focuses on four major areas of managing a LEED project team from the general contractor’s perspective. It includes an overview of the integrative process; identifying potential members and responsibilities of the project team and discussing how to implement that process in detail; investigating why the role of a LEED project manager is critical to the success of the project; ideas based on personal experience; and examples of past projects with best practice recommendations for a practical approach.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
In order to download this course, a USD $70.00 fee must be paid.
With a focus on hybrid green roof systems, this course provides an overview of green roofs, including system options and design and specification considerations such as plant selection, irrigation, mitigation of wind pressure and fire risk, sloped applications, and warranty options.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
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.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
As we become more aware of the levels of toxins in our environment, we are realizing that the quality of air inside our homes is just as important as the quality of air outside our homes. This course outlines why indoor air quality is so important to our health and describes how to improve indoor air quality by using a balanced ventilation system.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
High-performance waterproof panels are engineered to mitigate moisture damage in areas where water is ever present while offering easy installation and lasting beauty. This course reviews the importance of moisture management in wet applications and examines the performance attributes of waterproof panels that make them a complete wall solution.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Hybrid heat pump systems and hybrid heat pump geothermal systems can deliver better heat recovery capabilities than a traditional system to provide energy savings and operational benefits. This course examines the operation of these systems and discusses the benefits for the building owner, the occupants, and the budget.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Daylighting is the controlled admission of natural light into a building. It takes into consideration both direct and diffuse sunlight and reduces use of electric light, thereby decreasing energy costs. By controlling daylight, solar heat gain can be minimized, lowering the demand on HVAC systems. This course evaluates a variety of daylighting strategies for commercial applications and includes discussions about the relevance of daylight factor calculations and the impact fabric characteristics have on a shading solution.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
Although known for being a strong and versatile building material, there are a number of factors that affect the sustainability of concrete, and a variety of measures that can be taken to increase its durability and extend its service life, thus protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the users. This course discusses the environmental impact of concrete and some of the main causes of concrete deterioration, and examines how crystalline waterproofing technology can be employed to increase the durability and sustainability of concrete.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
With the increasing prominence of glass in new buildings and retrofits, the use of window film can raise the style, performance, and safety of today’s building projects. This course examines the use of various types of window film (decorative, solar control, and safety/security) and their role in improving occupant comfort and safety, lowering energy costs, and enhancing privacy.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...
It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing: they have to provide measurable environmental benefits. This course outlines how insulated concrete forms (ICFs) help meet sustainable design objectives 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 here to view the details...
Roofing is one of the most common renovation projects on commercial buildings. Upgrading a roof assembly to meet current building standards provides an opportunity to save energy and maintain the necessary fire and structural performance. This course reviews the code requirements for commercial reroofing and discusses how reroofing can improve a building’s energy efficiency.