High-quality architectural stone veneer is a lower-cost, easier to install, sustainable alternative to natural stone. Though traditionally more often used in exterior applications, stone veneer is making its way into more interior applications across a wide variety of industries. This course will review performance and aesthetic characteristics of stone veneer and how it’s used in different applications. Learners will also explore how stone veneer contributes to biophilic design principles and helps architects specify for changing residential building trends....
It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing: they have to provide measurable environmental benefits. This course outlines how insulated concrete forms (ICFs) help meet sustainable design objectives and examines the advantages that ICFs and ICF technology have over conventional construction materials for building envelopes in all building types....
Waterproofing goes beyond merely keeping a building dry; it's an essential strategy to safeguard the building's overall well-being, guarantee the comfort and safety of its inhabitants, and uphold the property's value over time. This course provides an in-depth exploration of the newest waterproofing technologies, their intricate interconnections, and critical considerations for devising superior waterproofing specifications....
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas, a Class A carcinogen, the leading cause of cancer after smoking, and the leading cause of death for nonsmokers. It is found in soil, rock, and groundwater. If radon enters a home through slabs, basements, and crawl spaces, breathing it can lead to illness or even death. This course examines how the gas travels through soil and into structures and the various interception approaches and materials that can be utilized to prevent entry into inhabited spaces. It also highlights building code requirements and language that can assist with ensuring the correct radon interception systems are designed and installed effectively....
Structural fire protection guards essential structural components from the devastating effects of fire. This course examines the various active and passive fireproof methods that are available with a focus on the features, types, and design considerations of prefabricated fireproof structural columns designed for exposed exterior and interior load-bearing columns....
Acoustical design requirements are frequently based on laboratory test data. Walls constructed in a lab for testing are built under ideal conditions and with high levels of precision. These walls also do not have any of the attachments or penetrations that are ubiquitous in real-world construction. Selecting a tested wall design that meets an STC requirement is not enough to provide adequate sound isolation in the real-world. To achieve good sound isolation it is imperative that designers understand how to treat the myriad of details that can compromise a wall's performance. These include: electrical boxes, hanging cabinets, window mullions, control joints, intersections, and more. In this presentation we: discuss why a detail is important for noise control, provide the acoustical impact of poor detailing based on test data (when available), and provide acoustical best practices for the details...
This presentation explores exterior wall design performance; energy code requirements; influences of air, moisture, thermal, and vapor barriers; and actual project case studies are presented. This program will be an interactive session that encourages feedback and questions....
As incidents involving active shooters and gun-related assaults continue to increase, more buildings are adopting ballistic-rated products to enhance occupant safety. This course explores various levels of ballistic protection, relevant product testing standards, available solutions, and best practices for designing buildings that mitigate ballistic threats and safeguard both people and property....
View the USBP - United States Bullet Proofing, Inc. Course Library
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)....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Insulating concrete form (ICF) products use a cost-effective and robust structural material option (reinforced concrete) to turn a building envelope into a high-performing thermal, moisture, and air enclosure with disaster resistance and built-in compliance with energy code requirements. As a result of ICF performance, building owners can complete a whole structure with ICFs and reinforced concrete, including intermediate suspended floors, rooftops, and multistory designs. This course examines the advancements in ICF technology and discusses the potential contribution of ICFs to supporting improved sustainability and resilience....
Retrofitting and replacing roof systems are essential aspects of the construction industry and offer opportunities to reduce a building’s energy consumption. Sustainable retrofitting of roofs with durable, energy-efficient materials helps reduce waste and conserve resources while promoting ecofriendly building practices. This course gives an overview of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and innovative roof systems that are designed to enhance building efficiency....
Precast concrete pavers and roof deck systems enable designers to deliver on aesthetics and design objectives while achieving safety and durability requirements. Patented roof deck systems allow for the creation of safe and stable roof deck patios and green roofs that maintain sustainability requirements. This course examines the raw materials used in these systems, reviews the different finishes available, and discusses different paver applications and their methods of installation....
Underlayment is an integral part of roof system design, so it’s vitally important to understand how underlayment interacts with the specified roof covering material. This course will take a holistic view of roof systems and explore the different categories of underlayment, as well as options that can optimize performance and compatibility with roofing materials. It will also explore performance attributes of different underlayment categories and how superior products can increase energy efficiency, wind resistance, and fire resistance....
Provides an overview of the performance characteristics and benefits of using multi-layer, cellular PVC decking—a durable decking material that replicates the unique beauty of exotic hardwood....
Roof top paver systems have become an integral part of commercial roofing that not only improves the energy efficiency but also increases the life expectancy of the overall roof system. Changes to codes and standards along with recent storm events have brought wind uplift to the forefront as a vital component to roof top paver systems. The industry has developed various methods for addressing wind uplift, many of which are covered in this course....
Structural laminated decking allows the beauty of the wood structure to be exposed, creating a unique architectural experience for its occupants. Aesthetics, strength, and durability are combined in one engineered product. Structural laminated wood decking is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to solid timber and other roof systems. This course discusses the characteristics of laminated wood decking and reviews recommended design, specification, and installation practices....
This course discusses the unique considerations when installing pre-applied/blindside waterproofing for below grade waterproofing applications. It reviews the science behind any below grade waterproofing project but with a focus on pre-applied or “blindside” waterproofing best practices – including looking at the different product types and design considerations, as well as the pre-planning, decision making, and application techniques that these demanding waterproofing projects require....
Undesirable acoustics in educational spaces adversely affect the learning and teaching processes. The impact on students’ academic achievement, social adaptation, and mental health can be profound and long lasting. This course examines the impact of different sound problems and presents solutions that create synergy between the architecture and the classroom environment to optimize student learning and engagement and teacher retention....
View the Catalyst Acoustics Group Course Library
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This presentation will focus on the overview of various waterproofing, protection course and drainage methods that meet the standards of today’s foundation applications. Along with an overview of various code and design requirements that mandate foundation waterproofing systems and applications....
Commercial roofing systems are quite varied. As such, their performance expectations are varied, and their suitability for different applications vary. Certain types of high performance roofing systems require specific components, and performance standards to achieve energy efficient and durable life cycle performance. This course describes the high-performance attributes of extruded polystyrene (XPS) and cellular glass insulations in commercial roofing applications including PRMA (plaza deck, vegetative roofs, and split slabs), unprotected roof membranes, architectural metal and asphalt pavement systems for which cellular glass and XPS are uniquely suited. It defines the building code/performance standards and best specification practices for those systems. Further, it compares various insulation types, how they are manufactured, and how the manufacturing process affects the physical properties and performance of each type of insulation....
Wind forces always influence building design and detailing. This course focuses on one particular force, wind uplift, and its influence on roof paving system design and selection. It examines how wind loads and building configuration affect the design of roof paving systems; the codes, regulations, and calculation approaches that inform and control such designs; and the various options designers can use to design safe, appealing outdoor roof paving systems that will withstand even the strongest winds....
The beaches and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean are some of the advantages of living in Florida. However, the extreme wind forces from hurricanes can easily damage even the strongest buildings and cause billions of dollars in property loss. As a result, certain areas of Florida―Miami-Dade and Broward Counties—have been designated High Velocity Hurricane Zones. The building products used in these zones must be laboratory tested to meet extreme wind and pressure performance standards. This course explains why a metal roof system designed to minimize the damage from hurricanes is important....
A high-performance building envelope, such as one made with architectural insulated metal panels (IMPs), serves as the building’s primary defense against environmental elements and protects the health and well-being of its occupants. This course reviews the components and benefits of IMPs, which offer all four control layers—air, vapor, thermal, and water—within a single component, delivering superior thermal performance and high-end design....
Commercial roofing systems are quite varied. As such, their performance expectations are varied, and their suitability for different applications vary. Certain types of high performance roofing systems require specific components, and performance standards to achieve energy efficient and durable life cycle performance. This course describes the high performance attributes of extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) in commercial roofing applications including PRMA (green/vegetated), mechanically attached, architectural metal and recover systems for which XPS is uniquely suited. It defines the building code/performance standards and best specification practices for those systems. Further, it compares various insulation types, how they are manufactured, and how the manufacturing process effects the physical properties and performance of each type of insulation....
This AIA course delves into the transformative power of PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate) and PUMA (Polyurethane Methacrylate) technologies within the construction industry. Participants will explore the unique physical properties and exceptional performance benefits these advanced materials offer, particularly in terms of speed of application and durability. The course provides a comprehensive overview of typical installation procedures, focusing on common applications such as vehicular coatings and below-grade waterproofing. Special attention is given to the critical role these technologies play in minimizing downtime for essential facilities, such as hospitals, where maintaining operational entrances and surfaces like ambulance bays and helipads is vital. With zero VOC emissions, PMMA and PUMA technologies also support environmentally safe construction practices....
