Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 51 - 75 of 458 results.

FIRST PREV [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Synthetic (artificial) grass or turf has improved steadily since its first installation half a century ago, and it is now a sophisticated surfacing system that can be customized to suit specific purposes. This course reviews that development and then focuses on the specifics of synthetic grass suitable for use on playgrounds. This focus includes a detailed examination of its construction, installation, and maintenance, and a number of sample installations.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Plumbing design is highly regulated; improper design and installation can pose a serious health risk or result in costly property damage. This course reviews the plumbing codes and standards that govern plumbing fittings and fixtures, with special attention to standards to control the leaching of organics, metals, and lead into drinking water.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In the fight against climate change, efforts intensify against the planet’s number one enemy—carbon dioxide. The building industry will play a significant role in these efforts. Embodied carbon—the global greenhouse gas emissions generated from sourcing raw material and processing, manufacturing, transporting, and installing building materials—will be the target over the next decade. This course will define embodied carbon, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry's impact, and the methods and tools that building designers can employ to limit embodied carbon.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Adding small pockets of luxury to a home has become commonplace in spaces like the kitchen and bathroom. Personal saunas are a natural extension to this way of thinking, supporting an owner’s health and relaxation. This course looks at the wide variety of heat bathing options: sauna, infrared, and steam, with a focus on how to both select a product and implement heat bathing in residential and commercial projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course provides a comprehensive overview of quartz surfacing as a sustainable material in contemporary design. It examines the environmental impact, safety standards, and wide-ranging applications of quartz surfacing. The course focuses on manufacturing processes, performance characteristics, and the material’s contribution to sustainability, equipping participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize quartz surfacing in residential and commercial projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Identifying, salvaging, and reusing stone and brick is a multifaceted strategy that benefits the environment, economy, and society. It represents a practical and visionary approach to building and design that respects the past, enhances the present, and prepares for a more sustainable future. This course reviews the impact of stone and brick reclamation by examining case studies focusing on modern American architecture and interior and exterior design. The course discusses how material repurposing benefits a society increasingly concerned about environmental sustainability.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    As interest in cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings grows, the market for building enclosure products as a whole has yet to fully provide the water-resistant barriers, vapor retarders, and air barriers to optimally support the unique characteristics of wood. Furthermore, there are few building enclosure design guides specific to detailing wood-framed walls and roofs. This comprehensive course fills the gaps, providing detailed information on mass timber, building enclosure issues, the vapor-permeable technology available to address wood’s unique moisture characteristics, and a how-to guide on detailing the walls and roof of the enclosure.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The trend toward more sustainable, healthy, and energy-conserving enclosures has brought building science and moisture management to the forefront of daily conversation for professionals in the construction industry. In this course, we delve into the science behind current practices and explore the role of building envelopes, optimal wall assemblies, and enclosures in vapor, water, air, and thermal control.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course introduces architects to the fundamentals of acoustic design and its impact on occupant comfort, communication, and well-being. Participants will explore acoustic principles, including reverberation time, sound absorption, diffusion, and sound blocking, as well as key performance metrics such as noise reduction coefficient (NRC), sound transmission class (STC), and ceiling attenuation class (CAC). The course demonstrates how acoustic systems can be integrated into wall and ceiling designs to support functional, aesthetic, and sustainability goals, including those aligned with the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ v2.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Vinyl membrane decking can prolong the life cycle of various building components; however, performance and durability depend on vinyl membrane selection, specification, and installation. Fortunately, vinyl membrane manufacturers can support architects, contractors, and specifiers through all phases of the project to ensure a successful outcome. This course examines walkable, waterproof roof deck membranes and roofing systems and includes discussions on system characteristics, design considerations, and how to properly specify roof deck membrane systems. 

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Vinyl has long been a material of choice for construction products for interiors and exteriors because of its durability, cleanability, affordability, and suitability for a vast range of applications. This course furthers the conversation by discussing vinyl’s recyclability and sustainability and the attributes of laminated rigid PVC exterior and interior wall panels and siding and soffit products.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The availability of parking and the time it takes to park a vehicle are major challenges when designing a new development. Parking garages typically require big volumes and are not efficient with land use. Automated parking can practically reduce parking space, while providing the same (sometimes more) number of parking stalls as a conventional garage. It also improves the user experience, providing a valet parking experience, just without the valet.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Light-manipulating glass products transport, redirect, refract, and reflect light to create architectural spaces that engage occupants with the unexpected interplay of light and shadow. This course explores these durable, functional products and their many options for customization. Also reviewed is how glass panels may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Slate has been used for centuries as a long-lasting building material, and its natural beauty is unsurpassed. Today, rainscreen cladding systems have been developed to adapt natural slate to new architectural demands for sustainable building design approaches. This course explores the energy efficiency and moisture management benefits of a rainscreen system in combination with the durability and versatility of slate. The different designs and fastening systems are reviewed, and case studies demonstrate the advantages and possibilities for sustainable and beautiful slate projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rain control is a critical aspect of building envelope construction, affecting a building’s structural integrity and occupant health. This course presents the rainscreen wall system as an effective strategy for moisture management, as reflected in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Discussed are the fundamentals of moisture control in buildings, the history of rainscreens, rainscreen design principles, and cladding material selection, including potential contributions to credit achievement in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Low Impact Development (LID) has several advantages over traditional stormwater management approaches. Since impervious pavement is the main source of stormwater runoff, LID strategies recommend permeable paving for hard surfaces. The course discusses LID, its goals and principles, and how they are achieved. It provides an overview of permeable pavements, and more particularly, plastic permeable grid paver systems and how they support LID goals.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Main entrance air curtains are used by architects and engineers in commercial, institutional, and industrial settings to both improve energy efficiency and protect occupant comfort and well-being. This course reviews the research that led to air curtains being approved as an alternative to vestibules in ASHRAE 90.1-2019 and other building codes, as well as how air curtains on main entries contribute to sustainability goals around energy conservation, public health, and indoor air quality.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Plongez à l'intersection de l'excellence du design et de la responsabilité environnementale avec ce cours complet sur les panneaux décoratifs TFL. Explorez la valeur intrinsèque de la durabilité dans le monde du design, démêlez les complexités du cycle du carbone et découvrez comment les forêts et le bois jouent un rôle essentiel dans la séquestration du carbone. Découvrez les applications polyvalentes et les attributs positifs pour le climat des panneaux TFL, ce qui vous permettra de faire des choix éclairés et respectueux de l'environnement dans le cadre de vos projets de conception. Améliorez votre compréhension d'une conception, d'une durabilité et d'une viabilité exceptionnelles, et contribuez à un avenir plus vert et plus résilient.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Many communities face challenges related to the presence of harmful pollutants in their drinking water supply. This course examines the issues associated with these contaminants, focusing on lead, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics. It also discusses the government’s response to providing clean, safe water and innovations in point-of-use filtration systems designed to reduce toxic substances in drinking water and minimize the environmental impact of disposable plastic water bottles.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Cellulose insulation has been used successfully by builders and designers for hundreds of years to provide comfort and warmth. Today, builders and designers also consider sustainability principles, climate change, occupant health and wellness issues, energy conservation, and carbon sequestration. Advanced cellulose insulation addresses all those areas as well. This course explains its environmental benefits, including its carbon capture ability, how it improves occupant health and well-being, and its numerous high-performance thermal, acoustic, and fire-resistant attributes.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Typically referred to as an air curtain and known as an air door, an air curtain unit employs a controlled stream of air aimed across an opening to create an air seal. This seal separates different environments while allowing a smooth, unhindered flow of traffic and unobstructed vision through the opening. This course discusses how air curtains work and why they can contribute to occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality when the door is open. It also reviews how air curtains improve whole-building energy efficiency versus conventional methods.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Wood is not only visually appealing; it plays a vital role in shaping acoustics. This course examines the acoustic properties of wood and its applications in wood-based architectural solutions, focusing on how acoustic wood products can help control noise in commercial and residential environments. Also reviewed is how these products support sustainable design objectives, including their role in meeting the criteria of the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems, as well as the WELL Building Standard™ v2. The presentation features design strategies and case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of acoustic wood products in achieving superior performance.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Resin-mineral composite is an exceptional building material for exterior applications and embodies the enduring appeal of wood without its challenges. The composition, design options, and performance attributes of resin-mineral composite (RMC) decking and siding are explored. Also discussed are product and manufacturer sustainability, product evaluations, and the range of applications suitable for resin-mineral composite.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    For over 50 years, insulated metal panels (IMPs) have supported high-performance building enclosures by integrating thermal, air, vapor, and water control within a single system. This course reviews the building science and fire-safety principles that guide proper IMP use in the building envelope, ensuring occupant comfort and safety. Also examined are standardized test methods for evaluating enclosure performance and comparisons of IMPs with alternative wall and roof assemblies.

Displaying 51 - 75 of 458 results.

FIRST PREV [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST