Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 51 - 75 of 452 results.

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

  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Adequate water consumption is essential to human health, and many turn to bottled water for convenience or out of concerns about the public drinking water supply. But bottled water presents its own water quality issues along with environmental impacts of disposable plastic bottles. This course explores bottle-filling stations that offer safer, convenient, sustainable hydration in a wide range of applications. Also reviewed are the features, benefits, and installation options of bottle-filling stations and how they contribute to drinking water requirements in the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™) version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As some of the earliest building materials, masonry and concrete have been used for their durability and strength. However, masonry architecture, both historical and contemporary, has been left vulnerable to water—the single most damaging element to masonry in our environment. This course identifies common water-related problems for masonry and concrete, describes protective treatments that increase masonry durability, and explains the process for safely selecting and applying a protective treatment.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Urban warming negatively impacts human health and quality of life, energy use, air quality, social equity, and economic prosperity. This course describes how solar reflective cool roof and wall materials help protect individuals and communities from the impacts of extreme heat and discusses the factors that influence energy savings and performance. The course also notes various climate resilience initiatives, green building programs, and energy codes that require or promote the use of cool roofs or walls and concludes by explaining the important role of third-party product ratings and the educational resources available online.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    By design, automatic pedestrian doors provide easier, more convenient access than manual doors for a wide variety of building types, and their popularity in commercial design continues to grow. Reviewed in this course are the available options of automatic door solutions, including sliding, swinging, ICC/CCU, and revolving door systems. Also discussed are the code requirements and considerations relating to automatic doors for proper specification.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architects and designers are responsible for planning the provision of drinking water in commercial and residential facilities, yet this essential element is often overlooked in sustainable design. This course covers the main water delivery methods (tap, bottled, and filtration systems) and their impacts on the health of people and the environment. Additionally, the course examines multifunctional taps equipped with three-in-one filtration that promote sustainable water delivery and 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Foam plastic insulation materials, such as spray foam and rigid foam board, gained popularity after the 1970s oil crisis as energy‑efficiency solutions. While energy efficiency remains central to building codes, expectations now also include reducing carbon emissions to support building decarbonization. This course examines the embodied carbon of insulation materials and their role in reducing operational energy use, enhancing building resilience, improving community well-being, and supporting sustainable, resource‑efficient design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This recorded webinar is the third of five sessions presented during the Building Science Master Summit held by DuPont Performance Building Solutions. This course dives into the topic of below-grade thermal performance and how to appropriately design for the long term. It explores heat loss patterns; energy code requirements and how they differ by region and building type; insulating best practices and benefits; and considerations for material selection.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Natural stone pathways offer functional, sustainable solutions that maximize user enjoyment of outdoor spaces without compromising aesthetics. This course reviews pathway material options in terms of durability, appearance, and financial and environmental costs and benefits. The focus is on three natural stone pathway mixes, designed to meet the permeability, erosion resistance, accessibility, traffic level, and installation and maintenance requirements of any project. Also reviewed are how these materials may contribute toward credits in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES®) v2 rating systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Lighting controls allow homeowners to adjust lamps and light fixtures from anywhere in the home without special wiring or expensive master controllers. Lighting controls can be integrated into a home for single-room, multiroom, whole-house, or automated systems. This course discusses the role of lighting in design and occupant comfort and then outlines how lighting controls can benefit occupant behavior, health, and productivity and the appeal and performance of the home, especially regarding energy efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Material transparency is a growing initiative in the green and healthy building arena. This course reviews legislation that provides the baseline for healthy and sustainable materials and discusses the limitations of those regulations. It also explores the predominant green building programs and how material transparency can help achieve certification. Learners will leave this course with an understanding of how to access, analyze, and apply material transparency to their projects and leverage initiatives to support a healthier, more sustainable building industry.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    The building envelope must withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course explores rainscreen wall design and the control of hygrothermal loads. The traditional multicomponent backup wall assembly is compared with the single-component, insulated metal composite backup wall system, outlining key differences in design and construction and their overall effect on installation and performance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Growing and concentrating populations, shifting weather patterns, increasing frequency and ferocity of storm events, disappearing water supplies, and rising costs have made providing potable water and managing other water-related issues increasingly difficult for many communities. This course explores their many water issues and how they adapt their management practices to address constantly evolving water conditions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Uncorrected thermal bridging can account for 20—70% of heat flow through a building's envelope. Improving details to mitigate both point and linear thermal bridges will significantly improve energy performance. This course reviews types of thermal bridges, examines how they appear in codes and standards, and explores some mitigation concepts and principles. Calculation methods to account for thermal bridging in your projects are introduced, and a sample design project is used to demonstrate code compliance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The increase in building energy efficiency requirements has led to the use of exterior continuous insulation (CI) to improve the performance of the building envelope. This presentation reviews the benefits of polyiso continuous insulation and then examines in detail the NFPA 285 test standard and fire safety requirements of the 2021 International Building Code for the use of polyisocyanurate insulation in exterior walls of commercial buildings (Construction Types I—IV).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Healthcare environments require high-performance, durable, and sustainable materials to meet the ever-increasing demands for the health and safety of patients and staff. Vinyl provides a reliable and proven solution that supports infection control measures, the need for long-lasting products, and the replacement of infrastructure that supports health and wellness, clean water, reduced carbon footprint, and long product service life. Vinyl is a material of choice for interiors as well as the core and shell of healthcare buildings. Chemistry and formulations are part of successful product performance; utilizing life cycle approaches to product selection, meeting owner project requirements, and supporting criteria within green building certifications are all part of the vinyl story.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Marine and waterfront environments expose exterior walking surfaces to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, temperature variations, and repeated wetting cycles that affect durability, safety, and maintenance planning. This course examines how composite decking systems perform under these conditions and how specification decisions influence long-term resilience and environmental performance. These considerations support alignment with green building objectives under LEED® v5 Building Design + Construction and SITES® v2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Dive into the intersection of design excellence and environmental responsibility with this comprehensive course on TFL decorative panels. Explore the intrinsic value of sustainability in the design world, unravel the complexities of the carbon cycle, and uncover how forests and wood play pivotal roles in carbon sequestration. Discover the versatile applications and climate-positive attributes of TFL panels, empowering you to make informed, eco-conscious choices in your design projects. Elevate your understanding of exceptional design, durability, and sustainability, and contribute to a greener, more resilient future.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course introduces the learner to the benefits and design advantages of porcelain surface material for both indoor and outdoor use in residential and commercial projects. Since it is a relatively new material in the US, we will review its components and manufacture and how they result in a product with exceptional characteristics for human health and durability. We'll also show and discuss indoor and outdoor applications, the variations available for vertical and horizontal applications, and the many design options. Finally, we’ll help the learner understand what is needed to design with this material and how to work with a fabricator.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores the critical role of shade in urban design, public health, and climate resilience. It examines how natural, built, and combined shading systems reduce heat exposure, support thermal comfort, and enhance the usability of outdoor spaces. Through case studies, technical analysis, and planning frameworks, participants will learn how to evaluate shade needs, select appropriate solutions, and integrate shade into parks, plazas, transit stops, and other public environments.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Multiwall polycarbonate is an extremely versatile glazing material with high impact strength, excellent thermal insulation, and long-term light transmission. Compared to glass, it is much lighter and easier to handle, offering considerable savings in transportation, labor, and building costs. This course examines how multiwall polycarbonate systems can improve thermal energy efficiency and increase daylighting within a space, enhancing occupant productivity, health, and well-being.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores key considerations and best practices for installing maple flooring systems intended for sports applications, emphasizing industry standards and recommendations such as those issued by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA). Durable and long-lasting, northern hard maple floors can support athlete health, safety, and performance by providing a high-quality playing surface. Participants will learn about important factors in selecting materials for maple sports floors, as well as different subfloor and surface configurations. By the end of this course, participants will know how to select flooring that maximizes athlete safety, well-being, and performance while balancing environmental factors that impact the floor’s longevity.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    FRP products are not only an ideal alternative to traditional building materials, but in certain applications, they should be the only choice. This course demonstrates the value of FRP‘s core features of corrosion resistance, nonconductivity, and overall lighter weight than steel by up to 70%. The additional primary properties and benefits of FRP are also discussed, showing how FRP can enhance project design, speed up installation, and solve challenges in numerous industries.

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Displaying 51 - 75 of 452 results.

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