Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 51 - 75 of 401 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Industrial-strength ladders must provide functional safety for users in varied and demanding building environments. Aluminum ladders are up to the challenge of virtually any application thanks to aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and corrosion resistance. This course reviews ladder types and safety considerations and discusses how the sustainability benefits of aluminum along with its other attributes make it an ideal material for heavy-duty ladders.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The strength, versatility, local availability, and ease of use of concrete help make it the most consumed manufactured substance in the world. Concrete also offers sustainability and resilience benefits: a long lifespan, low maintenance needs, durability against natural disasters, high-albedo surfaces, smoother and stiffer pavement, carbon sequestration capabilities, and increased building energy efficiency. This course describes some of the new technologies that continue to evolve to produce concrete with the same performance and benefits as traditional concrete but with a lower carbon footprint. Also discussed is how to specify low-carbon concrete using EPDs, a carbon budget, and performance-based specifications and how it can contribute to the Building Design and Construction rating systems of LEED® v4.1 and the upcoming LEED v5.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Properly selecting and implementing lighting in harsh and hazardous environments is crucial for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants as well as the operational integrity of facilities. This course outlines the critical aspects of lighting for harsh and hazardous conditions, including classifications of hazardous areas, ignition protection methods for lighting, and key specification and maintenance considerations necessary for ensuring a safe environment.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    People spend more than 90% of their time indoors; incorporating sunrooms, conservatories, greenhouses, and/or other glass structures into homes or workplaces can be an effective way to reap the benefits of daylight. The positive impacts of incorporating more natural light into your lifestyle can be seen through energy savings, increase of productivity, and improvement of overall well-being. This presentation reviews strategies and design options to create unique overhead structures, standing structures, and vertical glazing systems that are energy efficient, comfortable, and functional.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    As natural gas lines are being phased out for new development and for those who want to move away from burning fossil fuels, it’s becoming critical for homeowners, builders, specifiers, and architects to understand the flexible application of electric heating solutions. Electric heat is a convenient way to reduce energy costs and provide reliable heating options for commercial and residential heating systems that increase occupant safety, comfort, and well-being. This course examines multiple electric heating options to meet consumer needs and provides solutions to common heating concerns.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural glazing systems are vital to building performance, influencing energy efficiency, structural integrity, and aesthetics. This course compares storefront and curtain wall systems, explores performance optimization strategies, and examines their contribution to sustainability. Participants will gain the technical knowledge needed to develop effective product specifications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The trend toward building with mass timber across the US and beyond is accelerating, requiring design professionals to understand the why, when, and how of designing a mass timber structure. The industry is dynamic and evolving along with the building codes that dictate mass timber system requirements and limits. This course identifies the considerations a designer should review before starting a mass timber project, including feasibility, trade partnering, material selection, building codes, logistics, and their overall impact on creating a successful mass timber project.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Universal design is not a new concept; however, it is time for a paradigm shift. Considering ADA design, universal design, and living in place, should designers now be offering universal design solutions to all clients, regardless of age or ability? This course reviews both ADA and universal design guidelines and discusses compelling reasons for recommending universal design in your kitchen and bathroom projects. Various kitchen and bathroom applications are discussed in detail.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Metal roofing offers longevity, durability, and visual appeal. Today, a range of color and finish options are available that afford specifiers broad design flexibility. This course explores key solar reflectance and sustainability considerations when evaluating metal roofing colors and how selection relates to requirements in codes and green building programs such as LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Case studies demonstrate how metal roofing colors have been used to meet design and sustainability objectives.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This course provides an in-depth overview of recycling and waste diversion programs, focusing on effective planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic bin placement. It offers practical guidance on selecting bins, designing consistent signage, and using communication strategies to improve user compliance. The course also explores additional methods to reduce waste at the source and covers techniques for continuous monitoring and adaptation to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The tools, techniques, and approaches to sustainable community planning (SCP) have evolved substantially in the last few decades, turning it from an abstract notion into a most comprehensive and beneficial planning approach. Part 1 of this two-part course examines the basic principles that these tools and approaches are based on, the local and global issues that they must address to be effective, and the nature and structure of the tools themselves. The review includes numerous links to the sources of these tools.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Now more than ever, architects and designers of commercial restroom facilities are responsible for meeting or exceeding guest and employee expectations for safety and cleanliness. Presented here are touchless fixtures for public restrooms, how restrooms affect sustainability goals, and the benefits of taking cost-saving measures.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Understanding building physics is critical to proper building envelope design. Examined here are practical concepts for the building designer, including how cladding systems perform across different climate zones and applications. Environmental control layers and hygrothermal loads are reviewed, as is the concept of perfect/universal wall design. The course focuses on how single-component insulated metal panels (IMPs) function as a perfect/universal wall, simplifying wall system design and installation.

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  • ( ~ 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 ) 

    Green building rating system crosswalks are tools that identify where systems are equivalent or aligned, providing a streamlined approach that can help projects achieve dual certifications. This course provides an overview of the crosswalks related to automated window shades and daylight control in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C): New Construction and Core and Shell, LEED v4.1 Interior Design and Construction (ID+C): Commercial Interiors, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Also discussed are trade-offs between project parameters and rating system requirements that designers and architects must consider. 

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Commercial aluminum wall, window, and roof systems have undergone improvements in recent decades, making them technologically sufficient to meet contemporary standards of durability. In addition to being familiar with the systems’ thermal and other ecological benefits, specifiers need to understand paint chemistry and the difference between powder and liquid coating application methods. It is also important to understand third-party specifications published by AAMA, which cover architectural coatings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    One of the most important concepts behind biophilia is the “urge to affiliate with other forms of life” (E.O. Wilson). Humans are connected to nature, inspired by nature, and desire to be harmonized with nature. This course discusses the main principles of biophilic design and explains how a connection with nature benefits human well-being, increases classroom performance, and reduces stress. Multiple case studies demonstrating the positive benefits of daylight and views on building occupants are discussed, and applications of biophilic design are examined.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation is one of North America’s most widely used, readily available, and cost-effective insulation products. While polyiso is currently most commonly known for its use on roofs and walls, this course focuses on the many benefits of using it in below-grade installations in order to meet energy codes, maximize the building foundation’s thermal performance, and extend the overall life of the structure. The course explores the requirements for three primary characteristics of any below-grade insulation—thermal performance, water absorption, and load capacity—and describes how polyiso meets or exceeds those requirements and protects the foundation waterproofing system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of performance, durability, risk, cost, and construction timeline.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of designing with cellular PVC trim, including a discussion on the installation guidelines and manufacturing processes.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Made from one of the hardest and most abundant minerals in nature, engineered quartz is a beautiful, durable surface solution for a wide range of commercial and residential applications desiring the beauty of natural stone without its drawbacks. The raw materials of quartz surfacing are harvested from the Earth and formed into slabs via an innovative production process, resulting in a homogenous, nonporous material with superior performance and low maintenance requirements. Reviewed in this course are the features, fabrication guidelines, and design trends of quartz surfacing.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Throughout history, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure that the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with efficiency in the application that is expected in today's world of design. This course covers the creation of GFRC, its components, fabrication, applications, and design capabilities. It compares GFRC to other types of architectural concrete and presents GFRC performance and sustainable design advantages.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Inclusive design is a win-win for customers and businesses. It shows the business supports the assumption that public spaces should be functional for all users no matter their age, health, or abilities. The commitment to inclusivity encompasses promoting and respecting everyone’s right to choose a washroom. This course explores the benefits of inclusive spaces and discusses the sustainable, hygienic, functional, and distinctive design and material options for inclusive public bathrooms.

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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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Displaying 51 - 75 of 401 results.

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