Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 422 results.

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

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This course is designed to educate and raise awareness among landscapers and architects to assist them in making correct turfgrass selections for their projects. The focus is on warm-season sod turfgrasses suited for the southern and midsection tiers of the United States. The selection criteria and best practices for sodding and maintaining turfgrass are reviewed, along with an introduction to proprietary cultivars designed to offer improved aesthetics, greater tolerances, and fewer inputs.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural railing systems offer safety, durability, strength, and design flexibility for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications. This course provides an overview of the important factors that need to be considered when selecting and specifying a railing system for a commercial or residential building project. Topics include materials and finishes, fabrication and installation, and relevant building codes and standards.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In response to a stronger emphasis on natural resources, building efficiencies, and occupant welfare, manufacturers continue to improve design service offerings, product performance, and installation solutions. Fiberglass fenestration meets these demands for residential and commercial design in the built environment. This course explores the performance attributes of fiberglass fenestration, energy efficiency and structural benefits, testing and verification processes, and contributions to healthy building occupancy.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Architects and designers have many options for specifying site furniture products for their projects. Selecting materials and finishes is an integral part of this process, yet making material selections has become more and more complex. The course examines conditions and constraints of outdoor environments; evaluates materials commonly used in outdoor applications; discusses using green building standards and rating systems, and the role of suppliers as resources for material selection; and provides examples of products that adhere to a higher environmental standard.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural metal products play a critical role in both exterior and interior applications by balancing aesthetics, performance, safety, durability, and sustainability. This course examines specialty metal products commonly used in architectural design and how material selection, construction type, and finishes impact long-term performance. The course explores suitable applications and design considerations for wire mesh, perforated and expanded metal, textured metal, and bar and plank grating, empowering designers to make informed material selections.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Accommodating an aging population in multistory homes means finding ways to simplify access to all levels. As residential elevators continue to decrease in cost, they are being considered as the most effective solution to offer safety, comfort, and convenience to the homeowner. This course reviews all considerations needed for the installation of a residential elevator including preplanning, locating, power and structural requirements, and code considerations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Direct vent fireplaces are safe and efficient supplemental heat sources in today’s homes. This course reviews the innovative design options for gas fireplaces, including media options, cool wall technology, and safety barriers. Direct and power vent heat delivery systems are discussed, and the impact of standing versus electric pilot lights on energy efficiency is examined.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    At this time, there are no national or state codes relating to snow retention for roofing applications, even in the heaviest snow load areas. Consequently, it is very important for building professionals to take extra care when designing a snow retention system for installations in snowy environments. This course provides a review of the problems and solutions associated with roofing in cold climates, including a discussion on the proper engineering of snow retention devices. There are many dangers involved if the appropriate considerations are not made while building and maintaining a roof in an alpine region.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Sustainable design has become a key responsibility in building practices. The decisions that architects, designers, and landscape professionals make at the early stages of design extend far beyond aesthetics and structure. They shape environmental performance, material life-cycle costs, and occupant comfort. This course explores sustainable design strategies focusing on specialty metals and gratings, with a strong emphasis on performance, life-cycle benefits, specification insights, applicable codes and standards, and real-world results. Specialty metals and gratings are also examined for their structural integrity and appearance, resource efficiency, longevity, and performance attributes that contribute to sustainable architectural outcomes.

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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 ) 

    This course provides an overview of types of hybrid vinyl flooring and how they contribute to long-term value through reduced maintenance needs, verified indoor air quality performance, and responsible material sourcing. It examines manufacturing processes, product content, and material transparency that influence consistency, durability, and environmental impact. These attributes can support credit achievement in green building programs such as the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 by addressing low-emitting materials, responsible manufacturing, and product transparency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural insulated metal panels (IMPs) are an increasingly popular choice for building developers and architects, presenting a compelling solution that combines functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course reviews the architectural IMP, its applications and benefits, and comparisons to other materials. It explores current trends and developments that are paving the way for increased aesthetic possibilities and building envelope performance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. Choosing the right insulation and putting it in the right location is becoming one of the most important decisions in design, construction, and retrofit. Reviewed in this course are the features, benefits, and design and installation considerations related to mineral wool continuous insulation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    No discussion about a material’s sustainability is complete unless it addresses embodied carbon, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with the material over its cradle-to-grave life cycle. Changes made to spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation formulations address the impacts of embodied carbon. This course explores the evolution and environmental impacts of SPF blowing agents, the performance benefits of SPF, physical property testing and certifications, and SPF’s potential LEED® v4 contributions. Case studies make evident the performance value of SPF.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Standing seam metal roofing has been used successfully in the United States for centuries, and proper specification is key to realizing its intended performance. Examined here are: the factors driving the demand for standing seam metal roof and wall systems; standing seam panel basics; gauge and grade; oil canning; specification considerations; testing standards; and forming, delivery, storage, handling and warranty.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Doors installed in high-traffic conditions require special considerations and construction. This course explores the key concepts, best practices, and industry standards for selecting, specifying, installing, and maintaining durable and reliable heavy-usage doors. It details their material and hardware options, construction techniques, maintenance strategies, safety considerations, and required testing protocols. The course concludes with a sample installation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This program introduces building retrofits as a method to achieve green building standards by adapting existing structures. While a building retrofit may have several types of interventions, effective air sealing improves the durability of the structure and occupant comfort, health, and safety. This course includes a detailed look at sources of air leakage and the various methods available to address this infiltration. Several real-world examples demonstrate the importance of identifying the source of air leakage, investigating existing conditions, and proper detailing.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Today's complex steel structures present numerous design challenges, including the challenge of fireproofing appropriately in order to ensure the safety and well-being of building occupants as well as protection of the structure itself. This course outlines the code and testing standards that inform fireproofing choices and the various passive fire protection products and methodologies that can address a comprehensive range of design challenges; insight into the proper specification of fire protection products as well as their ability to improve LEED® certification levels is also provided.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The look of wood adds warmth and aesthetic appeal to building designs that other materials, such as masonry, metals, and glass, cannot replicate. However, since natural wood may not be suitable for Class 1—3 commercial projects, innovative composite and synthetic materials have been developed to overcome the limitations of real wood. This course provides a comprehensive examination of eight wood-inspired design technologies that mimic the appearance of natural wood while meeting fire performance standards. The role of wood-plastic composite (WPC) hybrid products in fulfilling the requirements of the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system is also reviewed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Today’s buildings are evolving from independently functioning structures to intelligent buildings that interact with occupants and surrounding buildings. This trend has impacted the design, operation, and maintenance of data centers around the globe due to the increased demand for data and digital communication and has resulted in more high-performance data centers. This presentation addresses the specific needs of data centers and presents high-performance design solutions that support sustainable design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    When deciding on outdoor cabinetry, understanding the available material options is essential to the selection of a long-lasting, sustainable choice. This course reviews the pros and cons of these options, with a focus on the attributes, sustainability, and performance characteristics of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, engineered to withstand extreme conditions while maintaining optimal structural integrity.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In this course, we will explore the features and outdoor applications of elevated deck systems that enable architects to optimize outdoor spaces with functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, creating attractive and safe spaces for occupants. This course covers the system components for practical applications in various settings, offering insights into proprietary pedestal systems.

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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 ) 

    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.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 422 results.

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