Exterior trim plays a crucial role in both the function and appearance of a building, which in turn impacts occupant safety and well-being. This course provides an overview of exterior trim functions and common material options available today. Also discussed are product evaluation reports and their role in code compliance; sustainability considerations and embodied carbon; and key considerations for choosing the right trim. Finally, the course applies these concepts to several design scenarios and identifies the appropriate trim option for each....
This course examines how inclusive outdoor environments and well-designed site furnishings can promote health, safety, and well-being for all individuals. While everyone can benefit from being outdoors, many people experience exclusion due to design barriers in public spaces. Learners will explore strategies and furniture specifications, including layout and materials, that support accessible and inclusive design and contribute to LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C), WELL Building Standard™ v2, and SITES® v2 goals. Case studies highlight real-world applications in communities, school campuses, and public spaces....
This presentation will guide architects through the process of choosing, specifying, and installing hardwood flooring products with an emphasis on best practices for maintaining safe indoor air quality....
Fireplaces remain one of the most desirable household features for homeowners, complementing a range of different lifestyles and appealing to a range of demographics. This course provides an overview of electric fireplaces, focusing on their design possibilities, flame technologies, ease of installation, environmental efficiency, cost-saving benefits, and their advantages over gas and wood-burning fireplaces....
View the Glen Dimplex Americas Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This is a Product SpotLight Presentation. ChamClad® is redefining the future of architectural design with innovative panel systems that unite sustainability, durability, and aesthetic excellence. Our commitment to low-waste manufacturing, recyclable materials, and eco-conscious packaging reflects our dedication to reducing environmental impact—without compromising on style or performance. From heat-reflective technology to finishes that echo the beauty of natural materials, ChamClad® panels are built for effortless maintenance, long-term durability, and versatile design freedom. Every panel is a testament to our mission: to empower architects and designers to build sustainable, visually striking spaces that endure for generations....
Not all types of storage lockers are the same, and each facility application calls for its own specifications. There are many different requirements to consider for locker selection. This course reviews the functional and operational needs of users in health and fitness centers, schools, athletic team locker rooms, medical facilities, industrial and manufacturing sectors, and law enforcement facilities. The features and components of metal, wood, phenolic, and plastic lockers are discussed, and guidelines are presented for specifying the right locker solution for user needs....
View the List Industries Inc. / Art Metal Products Course Library
List Industries Inc. / Art Metal Products
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
You can elevate your railing designs with a premanufactured system without compromising aesthetics or adaptability to site conditions. When you choose a manufacturer with design and engineering capabilities, you can customize premanufactured systems to meet safety standards AND enhance a project’s design. In this course, we’ll discuss how a railing manufacturer helped three architects create unique solutions from premanufactured components....
Interior design and fashion design have a natural connection and similarities in process and production. Both have faced new challenges in achieving sustainable results in their projects. This course explores the contrasting philosophies of fast and slow production and shows how to evaluate the true environmental cost of a product. A case study is presented, demonstrating how an artist/designer can collaborate with a product manufacturer to address sustainability through the creation of innovative bamboo-based designs that may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2....
View the Smith & Fong Company / Plyboo Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
The fireplace has always been a focal point in any home, providing warmth and a place for friends and family to gather. Today’s wood-burning fireplaces, inserts, and stoves have become increasingly efficient and clean burning. This course examines using wood as a fuel source and discusses the many characteristics that can affect heat production, efficiency, and burn time. New burning technologies that meet EPA certification requirements for released particulate matter are summarized, as are design and installation specifications....
Incorporating sustainable building materials into design practices is essential for creating environmentally responsible, healthy, and resilient built environments. Thermal modification is a tested and proven chemical-free process for increasing the dimensional stability and long-term performance of wood while preserving its natural beauty. Presented are the thermal modification process, the attributes, applications, and favorable environmental impacts of thermally modified wood, and how thermally modified wood can contribute to achieving certification in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2, and the Living Building Challenge (LBC)....
View the Arbor Wood Co. Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Architectural finishes mimic the aesthetics and textures of natural materials without the cost, labor, weight, and maintenance challenges of finishes such as wood, stone, leather, and metals. This course discusses their performance characteristics, selection considerations, and proper installation techniques for interior and exterior commercial applications, including fire-rated assemblies and LEED®-certified projects....
Attic ventilation is an important component in proper structural design. By encouraging airflow, attic ventilation plays a key role in maintaining structural integrity, ensuring roof component durability, providing a healthy indoor environment, and minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, proper attic ventilation hinders or prevents mold growth, reduces interior pollutants, and acts as a pivotal fire prevention tool. This course looks at how attic ventilation systems work, the benefits they provide, and the associated building codes and regulations....
Building a stronger connection with nature is critical to maintaining human health and well-being. Composite wood decking is a durable, environmentally sustainable product that can help build links with nature through outdoor living spaces. This course examines the different decking options and explains the sustainability benefits of using composite decking and how it can help meet green building requirements. Various design innovations that enhance occupant well-being are also discussed....
This is a Product SpotLight Presentation. DesignRail Modern Aluminum Railing Kits - Engineered for easy installation using components that snap and screw together, with pre-drilled posts and pickets to support 6200 series ⅛ inch CableRail Kits for Metal posts (sold separately). Railing kits are available in 6- and 8-foot lengths for 36-inch heights and in 6-foot lengths for 42-inch heights. Each railing project will require specific quantities and types of kits and parts, depending on your project....
Curved elements, such as walls, ceilings, columns, soffits, light covers, clouds, 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....
View the Flex-Ability Concepts Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course examines key selection criteria for stage flooring, including fixed, sprung, and dynamic systems. It covers permanent and portable solutions, surface materials, and sustainability in material choice and life-cycle management. Case studies highlight the impact of flooring on performance quality, safety, and environmental factors. The course also addresses accessibility, installation, refurbishment, and related manufacturer services....
View the American Harlequin Corporation - Harlequin Floors Course Library
American Harlequin Corporation - Harlequin Floors
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
We all love wood. It gives any design a luxurious feel and the benefits of biophilic design can’t be denied. You can paint wood but then it is no different than plastic or stone. To truly embrace the beauty of wood grain you want a lower opacity coating or stain. Transparency makes everything more complicated and applying finish to a wood can make or break your design. This course explores the 5 key elements that will dictate your finished wood look and how to specify them to achieve your vision....
This presentation originates from a research report written by the Applied Building Technology Group called Assessment of Water Vapor Control Methods for Modern Insulated Light-Frame Wall Assemblies. The report is extensive and includes compiled data from test homes, huts, and studies from the US, Canada, and Europe. The presentation utilizes the collected data from the research report in the form of a table to make easy insulation choices to prevent moisture issues. This presentation will first present the Building Science Concepts one needs to understand why things happen the way they do. The attendee will then be able to use that information to make informed decisions on how to design with wood framed construction. The presentation also breaks down some of the findings about wood sheathing and how it has been standing up over the years....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
Beyond aesthetics, ventilated façades and cladding systems provide added wind absorption, moisture protection, and insulation properties, resulting in prolonged building durability and sustainability that contributes to LEED points. In addition, these systems provide significant energy savings to building operations and noise reduction to increase occupant comfort. Learn about the top features and benefits of façade systems and how to select individual components based on environmental conditions, panel materials, and other factors. Gain understanding about how the mechanical and adhesive systems vary and overview the easy installation processes. Learn how adhesives absorb cyclical expansion and contraction due to environmental changes such as wind, temperature, and humidity. Within an hour, you'll have a solid understanding about ventilated façades/cladding systems' aesthetics, sustainability, and how they are built to last even under extreme conditions....
Dancers and performers require a safe performance environment that minimizes the risk of injury. Hard sports floors and multipurpose stages have a high risk of causing severe dance injuries that can affect a performer’s career. Choosing the wrong type of floor also carries the risk of extra costs down the road if it needs to be replaced. Sprung floors (also known as floating floor systems) are specifically designed for dance and other performance needs, providing a safer space to work. This course examines the advantages of sprung dance floors and their use in performance venues....
View the American Harlequin Corporation - Harlequin Floors Course Library
Exterior trim plays a crucial role in both the function and appearance of a building, which in turn impacts occupant safety and well-being. This course provides an overview of exterior trim functions and common material options available today. Also discussed are product evaluation reports and their role in code compliance; sustainability considerations and embodied carbon; and key considerations for choosing the right trim. Finally, the course applies these concepts to several design scenarios and identifies the appropriate trim option for each....
Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long lasting and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC rebutted and rejointed (R&R) prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance....
Selecting energy-efficient fenestration products that promote comfort, daylighting and views, and natural ventilation while supporting environmental impact concerns can further discussions regarding resource efficiency, material manufacturing, waste reduction, and life-cycle impact. This course examines the attributes of thermally broken aluminum windows and doors and explains why they are energy-efficient, sustainable, fenestration products....
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....
This presentation provides an overview of sustainable materials for the bath, including production, performance, maintenance, and frameworks for assessment, and focuses on recycled copper, sustainably made concrete, FSC®-certified bamboo, and reclaimed wood....
View the Native Trails Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
