In today’s high performance building market, specifying materials that work together as a complete wall system is more critical than ever. Systems can help designers meet new energy codes, reduce costs and improve building function and sustainability while making the design process faster and simpler. Focusing on the most common exterior wall system, steel stud with masonry veneer, this course will detail key system components, recent advances in building analysis, code requirements and a comprehensive systems approach.

The term “post-frame building system” refers to a building erected with structural frames of wood posts as columns and trusses or rafters for roof framing. Post-frame buildings are engineered for site and building requirements and through proper design and quality materials, they can be constructed to be as strong as a steel-frame building. This course covers the attributes, construction methods, materials, of post-frame building systems and their applications for low-rise commercial buildings.

Leading aluminum extrusion manufacturers have established a variety of methods pertaining to material grade, surface protection, and component solutions to maximize the benefits of aluminum to suit a wide variety of applications. These advancements in technology have led to the development of sustainable wood-patterned aluminum products designed for exterior and interior applications. This course focuses on how these products can be used as a beautiful, high performance, durable alternative for real wood in a range of applications, including screens, facades, decking, fencing, gates, cladding, and more.

Provides an overview of the components, the energy efficient features, and specification considerations of metal roofing assemblies, as well as discussions on design considerations and architectural details that impact project requirements.

Wine is a critical element of entertaining and culinary experiences, and modern wine cellars help make bottle collections part of engaging, artistic focal points in restaurants and homes throughout the world. This course focuses on the evolution of the wine cellar, from refrigeration to modern materials and display systems. It defines passive and active (cooled) storage, and identifies key considerations when building a wine cellar.

This course examines the required considerations for successful green facade installations and projects and includes discussions on system selection, design, plant selection, maintenance, and client/owner education.

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

Aluminum composite material (ACM) is a lightweight composite material consisting of two sheets of aluminum facings thermobonded to a polyethylene core or to a fire retardant core. It is used for exterior as well as interior applications for architectural cladding, interiors, and signage applications in new and existing buildings around the world. This course discusses the versatility, sustainability, and functionality of ACM by examining common design, testing, and manufacturing techniques and evaluating different types of ACM systems, finishes, and coatings.

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

Selection of a material for a railing or fence project requires considering its long-term performance, maintenance, cost, and aesthetics. Regardless of the railing application (commercial, residential, or industrial), the coating process makes a difference to the life of the project. This course evaluates the different coating technologies available for steel railing and fence systems and discusses the factors to consider when selecting a coating for a steel railing and fence systems.

Provides an overview of gate and fencing systems which are both functional and decorative, and are designed to meet modern security and design requirements while harmonizing with the surrounding environment.

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

The use of sustainable materials and products during building design will become the standard within the construction industry, and environmental product declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) help architects and owners make informed decisions for their projects. Insulated metal panels— a prime example of a sustainable product—are one of the most cost-effective solutions to reduce energy and greenhouse gases.

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

This course will discuss overall project performance from the perspective of improved steel joist design and metal decking design. This includes ways to improve the request for information (RFI) process, and ways to reduce a range of traditionally tolerated project costs. Best engineering practices, cost-accountable architectural achievement, practices that reduce the consumption of raw materials, and the importance of taking the project owner's point of view when designing the steel package will be summarized. Building information modeling (BIM) - based project collaboration will also be discussed.

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

Metal composite panels deliver a clean and elegant aesthetic while acting as a rain screen or barrier wall. These panels can be produced in two different manners which affect their performance and applicability. This course will review metal composite panels, their methods of manufacture, performance capabilities and methods of installation.

Provides an overview of walkable roof deck membranes and includes discussions on: system characteristics, components, and installation; moisture management: deflection and drainage; design considerations; and how to specify roof deck membrane systems.

Ventilation grilles influence HVAC system performance, but can pose aesthetic challenges for designers. Custom grilles made with modern fabrication techniques employ a variety of materials and finishes, to create solutions that enhance and fully integrate with architectural interiors. This course will discuss the basic mechanics of effective air distribution in buildings, performance characteristics of grilles, grille types, and custom design options.

There is a growing realization that the buildings we live and work in play an important role in the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Green building rating systems are starting to incorporate health and wellbeing criteria and this course will look specifically at how products and materials can help meet the health and wellbeing requirements across these systems.

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

The demand for high-performance, durable, energy-efficient buildings has led to building envelope designs that incorporate greater amounts of combustible material in cladding, insulation, and weather-resistive barriers. Understanding how to meet both sustainability challenges and code requirements can be a complex and confusing process. Beginning with the history of NFPA 285, this course presents an overview of the test method and fire code in relation to various building envelope materials, with particular attention given to metal composite materials ( MCMs).

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 here to view the details.

When it comes to railing infill, most people immediately think of vertical pickets, horizontal rails, or glass panels. However, today’s cable railing infill options offer many benefits. Stainless steel cable infill is strong, durable, and versatile and offers long-lasting beauty. This course provides an overview of horizontal cable infill and its advantages, and discusses frame design, prefabricated and custom assembly kits, installation specifications, and special safety requirements.

Lightweight, pre-finished, and factory-fabricated insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer building owners a cost-efficient and easy-to-install roofing system that provides an air barrier, vapor barrier, and insulation all in one product. This course discusses the characteristics of IMPs and the installation process, and explains why IMPs are ideally suited for pre-engineered and structural steel buildings. The role of IMPs in a building’s hygrothermal control layers and IMP code compliance are reviewed.

Rusting is a natural process that occurs due to everyday environmental conditions, but it is both predictable and preventable. This course explains the importance of rust prevention and treatment, and includes discussions on the rusting process, surface preparation, coating types, and choosing appropriate coating systems.

Curved elements, such as walls, ceilings, columns and arches, have often been used to add interest to architectural designs. This course outlines conventional methods of framing curves in wood and steel, as well as new methods of framing using flexible track systems. Discussions include options for wall coverings and trims for curved surfaces.

Provides an overview of perforated metal, including its history, applications, specifying standard and custom perforated metal, along with a discussion on how it is used to sculpt light, control sound, and compose views.

While architects and designers have many choices for specifying dynamic architectural surfaces in their projects, the result of using photography in such applications has historically presented challenges. This course explores typical digital images used in glass installations, gigapixel photography, guidelines for glass transparency, and the impacts of luminosity and reflectivity. Finally, it looks at potential applications for gigapixel images in large- or small-scale architectural surfaces.

A highly efficient building envelope should meet the most demanding performance requirements and contribute to LEED® credits and net zero energy targets. Presented here are the features and performance benefits of insulated metal panels (IMPs). The course provides an in-depth look at a generic IMP EPD, discusses new LEED® v4 contributions, and outlines how IMPs meet the strict energy performance requirements of current codes and standards.

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

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) can be the right choice to deliver the excellent thermal capabilities and performance that architects, designers, and building owners demand. This course provides a review of Insulated Metal Panel systems in terms of their performance characteristics, profiles, and testing/approval requirements, along with the design and installation considerations that are required to facilitate a successful installation.