Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 397 results.

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

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Beneficial acoustic environments are especially important in healthcare facilities as inappropriate acoustics can be damaging to patients and stressful and tiring to staff. Because a beneficial acoustic environment plays an important role in supporting health, safety, and well-being for all occupants, acoustic issues are now a key component of healthcare design guidelines. This course explores the impacts of acoustics on healthcare, outlines the relevant acoustic standards and guidelines, and describes the methods by which designers can address the issues and improve healthcare facility conditions for patients, families, and healthcare workers.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Rubber has been recycled for more than a century and used in recycled rubber flooring for over 65 years. Over this time, it has been proven to be a durable and flexible product that improves numerous aspects of the built environment while benefiting the natural environment. This course examines the sustainability attributes of recycled rubber flooring, how rubber is recycled, how it is used to make flooring, its health and safety benefits, and where to use and not use the product. The course also includes an overview of how recycled rubber flooring can be used to meet a number of USGBC’s LEED® v4 BD+C and WELL Building Standard® v2 credit requirements.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Often the largest access point in a building, sectional door systems play a significant role in controlling energy costs and supporting sustainable design in residential and commercial buildings. This course explores the specification considerations and the different types of sectional garage doors, as well as their role in enhancing the thermal performance of homes and commercial buildings.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. This course provides an overview of the properties of Redwood Timbers including insulation properties, grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength. It concludes with numerous case studies exploring the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Changing climate and land use patterns have necessitated a greater focus on stormwater management. The trench drain industry has developed in a rather fragmented way over the decades, with each manufacturer using their own unique reference points for dimension, load rating, and other criteria. The purpose of this course is to clear up the resulting confusion and provide best practices and a real-world understanding of the multiple variables at play on the project level.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Natural light is important in everyday life, with positive effects on one's health, well-being, and productivity. This course provides an understanding of how automated high-performance shades can provide more natural light. Current market drivers and their effects on a building's value are also discussed. The course explores how to increase visual and thermal comfort by automating the balance of natural and artificial light and outlines the role of high-performance shades in meeting sustainability standards. This course also discusses the influence of automated façades on a building’s performance.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    New technology and improvements in masonry veneer installation can help your team save time and money in the construction process while providing superior results. In this course, you'll learn how cutting-edge technology is helping masons move beyond traditional lath and scratch and be introduced to the principles behind enhanced masonry veneer installation systems (EMVIS). Learn how to create permanent, high-strength installations for residential, commercial, and industrial applications using EMVIS with fortified mortars and innovative waterproofing barrier membranes that protect against air and water penetration.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    While natural wood has traditionally been viewed as an ideal material for decking boards and tiles, wood-plastic composite (WPC) has emerged as a durable, easy-to-maintain, and sustainable alternative. This course provides insights into the advantages of composite decking, especially fully capped products, and explores topics including its environmental benefits; contribution to occupant wellness and safety; resistance to fading, staining, and other potential defects that decking experiences; various applications; and attractive aesthetics.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Building owners have come to rely on weatherable coatings to provide long-term protection to their buildings. With an increased focus on sustainability, performance, and durability, PVDF resin-based coatings can help architects and painting contractors exceed their clients’ design goals. This course covers the key components and functions of high-performance weatherable coatings and looks at how these coatings contribute to sustainable design.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Now more than ever, public restrooms must provide users with a hygienic and safe experience that supports inclusivity, human health, and wellness. In this course, we explore how multistall public restrooms address users’ concerns about hygiene, safety, privacy, and efficiency through partitions, touchless fixtures, hand dryers, and more. We also discuss fulfilling WELL Building Standard™ v2 requirements by promoting public health and safety in restroom design.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The thermal and dual modification of wood are processes used to improve wood’s profile in terms of durability, dimensional stability, overall performance, and inherent resilience and sustainability. The resulting products can be utilized in many building applications, from decking and siding to pergolas and nonstructural beams, as well as paneling, soffits, and interior trim applications. This course explores the science behind the thermal and dual modification of wood. Examples of modified wood and case studies are also reviewed.  

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As urban areas become denser, land values increase, and the demand for space becomes more challenging, developers are seeking alternative, innovative approaches to parking cars that allow a project to proceed while meeting all parking and sustainability requirements. Automated parking systems, parking lifts, and multilevel car stackers provide multiple benefits for developments, car parking operations, and vehicle storage facilities. High-density parking systems can help to maximize ROI with a reduced parking footprint and better building flow; reduce construction costs and operational overheads; and improve safety, security, and sustainability. This course explains the types of high-density parking systems, their sustainable advantages, and design considerations.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Homeowners are increasingly interested in creating outdoor living spaces that enhance their enjoyment and increase their homes’ energy efficiency. This course outlines how retractable screens offer sustainable design solutions for homeowners, architects, and builders. Topics discussed include screen components and how retractable screens offer protection from insects and UV rays and contribute to enhancing a home’s energy efficiency. Various case studies focusing on sustainability are examined.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R-values for enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of the walls, roof, or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective, and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIPs as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Third-party environmental product declarations (EPDs), using a life-cycle analysis (LCA) approach, provide a comprehensive analysis and quantification of a product’s sustainability. This course examines how EPDs can inform sustainable site furniture selection and how the use of sustainable site furniture can contribute to meeting various credit requirements of LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Infrared patio heaters sustainably increase safety and comfort in outdoor entertaining areas. There are many variables in creating ambient warmth, and the effectiveness and cost of heating an outdoor space depend on the design of the selected heating option. This course looks at the available outdoor heating options and their sustainability profiles, focusing on the types, color choices, mounting methods, and control options of electric infrared heaters. It includes a review of the steps required to select the best solution.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The growth of EV (electric vehicle) adoption is accelerating and the behavior of EV drivers is increasing the demand for electric vehicle charging stations. This education course explains the different types of charging available and their suitable applications, and discusses the planning and installation considerations for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) system provides occupants with filtered, balanced, and tempered air within their living space. Airborne contaminants can be greatly reduced with ERV systems. This course provides knowledge about the need, use, design, and installation of ERVs in the modern dwelling unit and when retrofitting existing structures. The course also addresses the environmental advantages of sustainable and healthy solutions for indoor air quality.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designing restrooms to allow for and maximize proper hygiene is important in reducing the spread of germs. This course discusses the elements of hygienic restroom design and how reducing required touchpoints helps to increase safety and cleanliness. The key steps in proper hand hygiene are also discussed. The course then focuses on hand dryers and considers their impact on hand hygiene and sustainability. The future of commercial restroom design is then explored.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

  • ( ~ 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 ) 

    When designing noise control measures for a building, it is critical to look beyond the sound transmission class (STC) and impact insulation class (IIC) ratings in order to create an ideal environment that promotes occupant well-being, protects their hearing, and fulfills the project’s needs. This course provides an overview of noise control principles, construction composites, and design methodologies that reduce noise, with an emphasis on performance-oriented designs requiring third-party acoustical consultants.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 397 results.

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