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 611 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Due to their durability, low operational cost, and sustainability, metal roofs are gaining popularity in both commercial and residential markets. Owner expectations for this product family have increased as well and now include heightened aesthetics and long-term performance. While metal roofing systems are certainly up to these challenges, when they fail, the results are costly. Consequently, it is imperative designers have full knowledge of metal roof design and detailing. This course covers the top ten problems metal roof designers face and describes how these problems can be prevented through proper design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines the design and benefits of pre-engineered trench drains in a sustainable wastewater management system. Discover how they effectively manage water runoff, prevent ponding, and enhance safety in transportation, industrial facilities, and public spaces while supporting sustainable practices. Explore system types, maintenance strategies, and performance optimization, along with guidance on funding and compliance. Gain the knowledge to implement smarter, safer, and more efficient water management solutions in your next project.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    The role of a fire-rated door is to maintain the integrity of a fire-rated enclosure in the event of a fire, giving building occupants enough time to exit the burning building. This course is an introduction to fire-rated doors and a general review of the fire codes that relate to fire doors and hardware, referencing 2012, 2015, and 2018 IBC; NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulations; and the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Humidity affects numerous industries, potentially leading to building damage and health problems. Mechanical dehumidifiers play a critical role in controlling humidity across different environments, ensuring comfort and safety while preventing any humidity or condensation issues that interfere with daily business. In this course, we provide insight into the principles of psychrometrics, enabling participants to understand the properties of air and water vapor mixtures significant to moisture control. We explore the operation of mechanical (vapor compression) dehumidifiers, their performance parameters and limitations, and installation configurations. Finally, we examine some examples of beneficial applications.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Air control dampers are an essential component of a building’s HVAC system, regulating heating, cooling, and ventilation performance. Presented here is an introduction to control, balancing, backdraft, industrial, and multizone dampers; each type plays an important role in the HVAC system. Discussed are damper types, components, and performance metrics. Guidance is provided for damper specification, installation, maintenance, and inspection.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Restrooms and other plumbing applications must comply with accessibility regulations, but do you know exactly how to do that? This course is a handy reference that explains what codes and regulations you must satisfy, when those requirements apply to new construction and alterations, and how to select and install fixtures to meet accessibility standards and the requirements of the LEED® v5 for Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ v2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Cable railings are a beautifully minimalist way to meet safety requirements without obstructing the view. Learn how to assemble a commercial-grade cable railing with sophisticated fittings engineered to simplify installation, comply with building codes, and reduce overall labor costs.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Net zero energy ready buildings are a popular topic in today's world of climate change. This course explores how energy efficiency has expanded toward exterior wall assemblies, where thermal bridging and thermally broken subframing systems are becoming the new norm.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Energy conservation and occupant well-being, comfort, and productivity are issues of increasing concern in building design. This course illustrates how radiant heating and cooling systems address these issues positively and efficiently. It encompasses the various types of systems available and how they can contribute to credit requirements in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. System workings, design, aesthetic considerations, advantages, testing and measuring protocols, and installation procedures are reviewed, and the course concludes with several installation examples.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This presentation aims to aid architects, engineers, and specification writers in choosing anchoring systems to comply with the 2022 edition of The Masonry Society’s (TMS) TMS 402 Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures and the International Building Code® (IBC®).

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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 ) 

    Segmental retaining walls (SRWs) are used in many landscaping applications, including small residential backyards and large commercial and transportation situations. This course provides an overview of segmental retaining wall systems and materials, including SRW terminology, soils, geosynthetics, general uses, and potential site issues. This program is best suited for those with little to no background in segmental retaining wall systems or materials or those desiring a refresher course in segmental retaining walls.

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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 ) 

    The facade is one of the most significant contributors to the energy consumption and comfort parameters of any building. This course explores high-performance building envelopes and the use of advanced insulated metal panel systems featuring integrated daylighting and ventilation components that combine to provide weathertightness and maximum thermal performance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    There are a multitude of building envelope products used and a variety of methods taken for achieving energy and building code requirements. Understanding the different roles a product plays in the envelope simplifies its design. In this course, we take a look at the code requirements for buildings classified as IBC Types I–IV, paths to achieving compliance, and the number of roles polyisocyanurate insulation plays in meeting these requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Megatrends are long-term global trends that impact societies in complex ways, including design of the built environment. This course examines seven megatrends and how they may inspire kitchen and bath designers to create accessible, diverse, and sustainable solutions to the social and environmental issues our society faces.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Fireplaces remain one of the most desirable household features for homeowners, complementing a range of different lifestyles and appealing to a range of demographics. This course provides an overview of electric fireplaces, focusing on their design possibilities, flame technologies, ease of installation, environmental efficiency, cost-saving benefits, and their advantages over gas and wood-burning fireplaces.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Over time, urban parks and other open landscaped areas are being lost to development. One solution to mitigate this issue is to reconsider undeveloped areas such as building roofs to create green amenity spaces. Amenity decks can provide some alleviation of lost green space, while affording developers the potential to monetize underutilized spaces in their buildings and provide an advantage over older buildings to attract tenants.

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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, 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 ) 

    This course explores design strategies for tailoring elevator interiors to project-specific needs, compares original equipment manufacturer (OEM) elevator interiors, bespoke elevator interiors, and configurable elevator interior systems (CEISs), and examines best practices for specifying CEISs to enhance safety, performance, and visual continuity.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The effects of climate change are causing the threat of extreme wildfires to grow across the US, even in areas not considered to be at risk 20 years ago. Designing fire-resistant properties that are prepared and protected year-round is an essential factor in building wildfire-resilient communities. This course reviews the health and environmental harms of wildfires and their role in the growing insurance crisis and then addresses how an eco-friendly fire inhibitor can be part of a multilayered defense strategy. Also discussed are this nontoxic product’s fire and safety testing and certifications and how it can be deployed in a variety of methods to serve as a proactive defense against embers, the leading cause of structure ignitions in wildfire events.

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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 ) 

    Residential solar power generates clean energy, reduces carbon footprint, protects against rising electricity rates, and protects property from outages, but it is only effective during daylight hours. Adding battery storage to a solar system—called solar plus storage—removes this limitation and moves a home closer to energy independence. In this course, we will review the components of a solar-plus-storage system, including selection considerations for residential rooftop solar and DC-coupled solar batteries. The course also reviews the extended system of monitoring and DC charging.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 611 results.

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