American Institute of Architects

As the largest design organization in the world, AIA is working to transform the day-to-day practice of architecture to achieve a zero-carbon, resilient, healthy, just, equitable built environment, for everyone.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 605 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 ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Bar and Plank Gratings are used for a wide range of applications. With the array of Grating products that are available on the market, the proper selection of a suitable solution requires an understanding of the specification considerations. This course provides a review of these considerations along with a discussion of the applications and terminology relating to Bar and Plank Grating products.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Some building parts may see minimal human contact or weathering. Doors and entryways, however, need to be able to stand up to heavy use, frequent direct contact from building occupants, and environmental impacts. In this regard, FRP doors and frames offer robust strength, reliability, and durability. They provide project versatility and customization in colors and textures, are excellent thermal insulators, and allow for easier installation and lower costs in construction projects. This course outlines the FRP door and frame components, manufacturing methods, and types and discusses the benefits of FRP products.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Slate has been used for centuries as a long-lasting building material, and its natural beauty is unsurpassed. Today, rainscreen cladding systems have been developed to adapt natural slate to new architectural demands for sustainable building design approaches. This course explores the energy efficiency and moisture management benefits of a rainscreen system in combination with the durability and versatility of slate. The different designs and fastening systems are reviewed, and case studies demonstrate the advantages and possibilities for sustainable and beautiful slate projects.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Air curtain units (ACUs) provide a controlled airstream across a door or opening, creating a seamless barrier between two distinct spaces while enabling smooth, uninterrupted traffic flow. Air curtains fulfill numerous purposes and provide building owners with significant energy savings. This course examines how air curtains work and how they reduce whole-building energy consumption and contribute to occupant wellness and safety. The role of air curtains in limiting the infiltration of insects, pathogens, and outside pollutants while maintaining thermal comfort and good indoor air quality is explained. ACU selection and installation considerations are also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Residents increasingly request improved security control of their environment in conjunction with active lifestyle amenities such as swimming pools. This course explores how these two issues relate regarding outdoor swimming areas. It provides an overview of the primary pool enclosure and access hardware code requirements, the requirement variations between jurisdictions, and criteria for choosing the appropriate hardware. Also featured are examples of typical pool gate and door access hardware sets.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Daylighting has traditionally been considered a functional way to bring natural light into building design. This course explores innovative applications of daylighting using various methods to deliver natural light into spaces and create visually appealing natural lighting as part of an overall design. It also examines daylighting strategies, considerations, and material options for successful project planning. By incorporating daylighting into projects, architects can create innovative environments that meet the sustainability goals of the building and the health, safety, and welfare needs of its occupants. Applicable credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 are noted.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines bamboo as a sustainable construction material by focusing on its properties, environmental advantages, and innovative applications. Participants will explore responsible sourcing, manufacturing practices, and key certifications. The course also covers advanced products such as thermally modified and high-density bamboo. Professionals will gain the knowledge required to integrate bamboo into projects that align with performance and sustainability standards.

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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 ) 

    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 ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Stormwater management is a critical component in any municipality to retain and infiltrate increased runoff volumes and flow rates from developed land that creates increased impervious cover (roofs and pavements). The course discusses the hydrologic and structural design fundamentals of permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) and why it is an excellent choice to help meet stormwater management goals. Discussions include the benefits of using PICP, components of PICP, design and construction considerations and how use of PICP can help earn LEED® credits.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Daylight is an essential part of our health and well-being, but it needs management. Shading strives to maximize daylight without compromising building occupant comfort and well-being. This course explores the role daylight has within the built environment and its impact on occupants and energy usage, with a focus on how to better specify shadecloth based on factors such as project type, solar optical properties, shadecloth composition, and environmental factors.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    A sound building envelope should be sustainable and provide fire resistance, good thermal performance, and protection from the elements. Mineral wool, fire rated insulated metal panels (IMPs) can improve building performance and contribute to a sustainable design strategy. Included in this course are discussions on mineral wool IMP characteristics and design options, performance advantages, and installation considerations. The course details how fire resistance is specified in the International Building Code and provides examples of fire wall and fire partition construction assemblies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Modular systems are designed around individual components that can be joined together to configure a seamless and personalized space solution. This course discusses the key design principles and benefits of modular design along with strategies for successfully incorporating modularity into a bathroom design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The construction industry has experienced a significant increase in moisture-related problems in exterior walls. This presentation explains how a rainscreen wall system prevents moisture accumulation within walls by providing a means for drainage and ventilation, thereby prolonging the life of buildings. Discussion topics include air and moisture movement in the building envelope, building code and water-resistive barriers, and stucco and thin veneers in rainscreen systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Roofing technologies have come a long way from labor-intensive BUR systems that achieved watertightness through redundancy. Today’s single-ply membranes are thin, light and reliable, and installation is safe and efficient. This course focuses on thermoplastic single-plies, particularly those that are PVC based, and explores their benefits and limitations as well as the important factors to consider when selecting a roof system, ranging from fastening techniques to warranties to sustainability.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Universal hot water availability is generally taken for granted. At a time when energy prices and sources, environmental concerns, and water shortages are increasing in significance, it is important to produce hot water in a manner that addresses all these issues. This course explains how electric tankless water heaters (ETWHs) do this while also improving health and safety conditions and reducing costs. The examination includes detailed descriptions of many types of ETWHs and the basic calculations and selection criteria for the most suitable system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Noise pollution is excessive environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human life. As urban environments have become increasingly dense, the noise problem has magnified, negatively impacting mental and physical health. Sound is everywhere, but it can be controlled with architectural solutions. This course provides a refresher on the basic science of acoustics and how sound interacts with our surroundings. From there, the course explores various architectural solutions, the technology behind them, and how they are successfully integrated into buildings to reduce noise. Discussion of installation applications addresses sound control options for retrofits and new construction.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    While natural stone veneer has a timeless popularity in commercial and residential applications, its cost, weight, and availability can make it prohibitive for some projects. Natural-looking manufactured stone veneer alleviates those concerns but still requires time and experience in mortared stone installation. This course explores these options and then introduces the latest manufactured stone product, a panelized, mortarless veneer that installs with the ease, speed, and all-weather flexibility of siding. Application examples and case studies present the many options that offer a real stone aesthetic without the time, skill, and constraints required for mortared applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The construction of residential and commercial buildings that use less energy to operate and are long lived is a key part of sustainable design. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) provide the necessary U-factor, airtightness, resiliency, and durability for all building types. Insulated concrete forms in residential and commercial construction projects offer excellent thermal performance and reduced energy consumption and operating costs, while maintaining a very comfortable and healthy interior environment. This course examines the ICF wall, including materials and components, and discusses design considerations and construction.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    While providing fresh air intake and exhaust, reducing noise, and keeping out unwanted water and debris, louvers can also provide architectural style to a building design. This course discusses the aesthetics, performance, and weather resistance features of a variety of louver designs from the basic to the extreme. A discussion about the industry standards and test protocols for louver performance is included.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The trend toward more sustainable, healthy, and energy-conserving enclosures has brought building science and moisture management to the forefront of daily conversation for professionals in the construction industry. In this course, we delve into the science behind current practices and explore the role of building envelopes, optimal wall assemblies, and enclosures in vapor, water, air, and thermal control.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 605 results.

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