Introduction au design durable et création d’environnements plus sains par des peintures architecturales. On trouvera aussi des réflexions sur les composants de la peinture; des méthodes d’évaluation et des normes indépendantes ; les catégories LEED® ; enfin, les particularités des systèmes de peinture pour le designer d’aujourd’hui.

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.

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.

A comprehensive lighting plan is critical to the success of any residential design project. Proper lighting is effective and efficient and contributes to the comfort and functionality of the home. This course explores lighting concepts, sources, and controls. It discusses using layers of light to achieve design goals, and how to incorporate energy efficiency into lighting designs.

Segmented pavers have been successfully used for roads, courtyards and paths for hundreds of years. Durability of materials being one of the key reasons for their lasting popularity. These days modern pavers offer up a wide variety of newer performance capabilities and finishes. In this course, we’ll take a look at the unique technologies of segmental concrete paver systems, the types, finishes and their design considerations.

Sometimes a design finish cannot be achieved within a certain budget or time frame. While not intended to be a substitute for real materials in every situation, architectural finishes mimic the aesthetics of natural and other materials. This course discusses the uses, manufacturing process, performance characteristics, selection considerations and proper installation techniques of architectural finishes.

This course focuses on barrier free shower design and installation. Following a brief review of the reasons, benefits, and legal requirements for barrier free showers it summarizes the features and attributes of shower assemblies, relevant industry standards, waterproofing membranes and drains, best practices, installation methodology, installation tips and techniques, and walk/roll in showers. It includes a review of the design considerations and advice for the creation of perfectly performing showers which follow the latest design trends.

In harvesting cork, the tree is not cut down and not damaged, making cork a rapidly renewable resource. Along with the use of recycled content and low VOC adhesives the use of cork flooring has low environmental and human health impacts. This course looks at the sustainability of natural cork flooring, both glue-down tiles and floating floor options, including discussions on performance characteristics, aesthetics and installation procedures.

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

Segmental retaining walls (SRWs) can strengthen steep slopes, hold back soil in grade changes, create useable land, and enhance the aesthetics of any landscape. This course looks at the site and application factors that determine whether a segmental retaining wall must be engineered and soil reinforced, and provides technical information about the components and construction of an SRW.

Provides an overview of advances in antimicrobial mold and mildew-proof primers, paints, wallcovering installation systems, waterproofing coatings and remediation cleaners. Permeability of wallcovering and coatings to install them with, plus green building specification information for high performance, low VOC coatings for the prevention of mold and mildew are also reviewed.

Building owners value daylighting and views, but face security and safety challenges with large amounts of glazing. Polycarbonate sheet products offer a variety of glazing solutions that resist security threats while providing transparency, strength, and durability. This course introduces the grades and characteristics of polycarbonate sheet products, and discusses how they meet the requirements for protection against forced entry, ballistics, and blasts.

This course provides an overview of integral blind assemblies and discusses their benefits over conventional blinds, components and framing options, performance characteristics and testing standards, and common applications.

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.

Vinyl is strong and resistant to moisture and abrasion, and therefore is the most widely used plastic for building and construction. This course presents vinyl flooring, its manufacturing process, testing standards, and performance characteristics. The course discusses the environmental impacts of vinyl flooring throughout its lifespan and its contributions to meeting green building codes and standards.

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

Architectural resin panels are engineered to suit the demands of a wide array of interior and exterior applications and offer almost unlimited combinations of color, pattern, and design. This course presents the features and options that allow resin panels to meet design requirements for both function and beauty, and discusses how resin panels may play a role in projects seeking LEED®, Living Building Challenge®, or WELL Building Standard® certification.

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

Within building spaces, noise can be reduced by using materials or assemblies that mitigate the transmission or isolate the sound. To do this it is important to understand how sound moves through building materials and partitions and the impact of sound mitigation products. In this course we look at the basics of sound, techniques, and products to prevent sound transmission.

This course provides an overview of integral blind assemblies and discusses their benefits over conventional blinds, components and framing options, performance characteristics and testing standards, and common applications.

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.

A comprehensive lighting plan is critical to the success of any residential design project. Proper lighting is effective and efficient and contributes to the comfort and functionality of the home. This course explores lighting concepts, sources, and controls. It discusses using layers of light to achieve design goals, and how to incorporate energy efficiency into lighting designs.

In applications where wood may be exposed to moisture, insects or fungal organisms, preservative-treated wood can ensure a project’s durability. This course reviews: the manufacturing process for pressure-treated wood; types of preservative treatments and the required levels of retention as dictated by the end-use application, desired service life and exposure conditions; American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Use Category standards; current issues concerning preserved wood in residential and commercial construction; and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for aquatic uses.

This course provides an overview of integral blind assemblies and discusses their benefits over conventional blinds, components and framing options, performance characteristics and testing standards, and common applications.

At first glance, a living wall biofilter appears as a vertical, hydroponic green wall of plants. However, it is an active filtration system that is an integrated part of the air handling system for a building. This course explains how living wall biofilters improve indoor air quality, enhance building performance, and create healthier, more pleasant indoor environments.

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

There is a current trend by designers to specify large format tiles with minimal joints in order to create a sleek, modern look for floors and walls in contemporary buildings. To create and maintain the desired look, it is important to understand the proper installation procedures and products that should be employed. This course describes in detail the tools, techniques, and installation procedures applicable to large format and gauged porcelain tile and panel installations and illustrates how such installations expand design opportunities for walls and floors.

Provides an overview of methods of reducing moisture intrusion in concrete and masonry walls with an emphasis on the role of sealers and coatings.

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.