The Alberta Association of Architects

The Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) serves the public and its members by administering the standard of practice for the professions of architecture and interior design in Alberta.

Click to Learn More About the Alberta Association of Architects

Displaying 1 - 25 of 630 results.

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

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Selecting outdoor kitchen cabinetry and appliances that meet a client’s needs and budget and that address climate concerns can be challenging. This course explores the design of safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor kitchen and living areas and presents the various types of cabinetry available, with a focus on stainless steel as a positive alternative for cabinetry. Included is a synopsis of outdoor kitchen design principles and considerations.

  • ( ~ 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 ) 

    This course explores how to use coil and extrusion coatings in the built environment and how innovative coatings contribute to sustainability initiatives.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    While architects and designers have many choices for specifying dynamic architectural surfaces in their projects, the result of using photography in such applications has historically presented challenges. This course explores typical digital images used in glass installations, gigapixel photography, guidelines for glass transparency, and the impacts of luminosity and reflectivity. Finally, it looks at potential applications for gigapixel images in large- or small-scale architectural surfaces.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Modern commercial, industrial, and multifamily projects demand seamless integration between site access points and building systems. This course reviews how innovative proprietary systems can be adopted to create a comprehensive, safe, secure, and easy-to-use control system, from gate operators and barrier arms to interior keypads and overhead doors. Also discussed is how the technology platform connects the necessary hardware and software in a unified, scalable solution that enhances security and access control and simplifies access management across various building areas. Lastly, some real-world examples are presented to highlight these integrated solutions, showcasing the value of specifying compatible system components from a single source versus fragmented system parts.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The selection of windows and doors for a particular project must satisfy its aesthetic and functional requirements. However, we also want windows and doors to be safe, durable, leak-free, and energy efficient and meet the needs of those with disabilities. The International Building Code® and related standards ensure that windows and doors support public health, safety, well-being, and energy efficiency. This course provides an overview of the codes and standards for doors and windows, including weather resistance, durability, egress, safety, and accessibility requirements.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In this video series course, we cover common metal roofing installation considerations. The first video discusses typical metal roof penetrations and details for proper installation. The second video presents metal enhancement options and design and installation tips to prevent premature corrosion in marine environments. The final video explores the expansion and contraction of standing seam metal roofs and how points of fixity accommodate thermal movement.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Resiliency is a growing necessity. It is important to understand the impacts on the built environment resulting from natural and manmade disasters and disturbances and to design for those impacts now. Presented in this course is an overview of the benefits of using steel doors as part of a resilient design strategy for applications requiring resistance to blasts, tornadoes, and ballistics.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The use of sliding doors in commercial applications is increasing at an exponential rate as facilities embrace the ability to reclaim previously unused space and create wider paths of travel. This course is designed to provide architects, designers, and specifiers with a comprehensive understanding of sliding door locking solutions in commercial spaces and the role of door hardware in ensuring safety, security, and accessibility. By analyzing case studies and exploring the features and benefits of sliding door locking solutions, participants will be able to make informed decisions when specifying sliding door systems for commercial spaces.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Vinyl has long been a material of choice for construction products for interiors and exteriors because of its durability, cleanability, affordability, and suitability for a vast range of applications. This course furthers the conversation by discussing vinyl’s recyclability and sustainability and the attributes of laminated rigid PVC exterior and interior wall panels and siding and soffit products.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Building a stronger connection with nature is critical for humans to maintain health and well-being. Composite wood decking is a durable, environmentally sustainable product that can help build links with nature through applications including home outdoor rooms, roof gardens, healing spaces, and public boardwalks in green spaces.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Now more than ever, architects and designers of commercial restroom facilities are responsible for meeting or exceeding guest and employee expectations for safety and cleanliness. Presented here are touchless fixtures for public restrooms, how restrooms affect sustainability goals, and the benefits of taking cost-saving measures.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Integrated fire and smoke door systems meet all life safety and compartmentalization requirements without sacrificing an architect’s vision. This course explains how multiple codes and standards apply to an opening, elevator lobby, and elevator shaft and discusses how integrated door systems provide building owners with a complete turnkey door system that uses components engineered to work as a unified whole. 

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Resilient flooring offers a wide variety of natural wood, stone, and abstract visual designs in numerous formats and installation options. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) and stone polymer composite (SPC) are types of resilient flooring designed to replicate the appearance of wood and stone without the labor, maintenance, or cost of natural materials. This course delves into the types, composition, performance features, and applications of LVF and SPC flooring designed for durable and aesthetically pleasing solutions for commercial and residential applications.

  • ( ~ 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 ) 

    Fire doors have one mission: to compartmentalize a building to contain a fire. Choosing the right one for your application requires understanding the various types of doors and how they function. This course provides an overview of rolling steel fire doors, covering their components, design, mounting methods, and considerations for specification and installation.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The building envelope is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building and provides resistance to air, water, heat, light, and noise transfer. As a thermal barrier, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) offers numerous opportunities to contribute to building envelope performance and indoor air quality in several project types. This course presents the sustainable aspects of SPF, SPF fire and strength testing, and the benefits of SPF in below- and above-grade and rooftop applications.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Healthcare facilities are now striving to meet the needs of all patients to offer not only healthy and safe spaces, but inclusive spaces as well. Recent advances in plumbing design for healthcare facilities are helping to keep all patients and caregivers safe and healthy. This course reviews innovations in plumbing design and how these designs support trending healthcare needs such as ADA patients, bariatric patients, behavioral healthcare, and infection prevention.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Acrylic solid surface is an attractive design solution, delivering enhanced aesthetics combined with superior performance properties. This course compares the characteristics of 100% acrylic solid surface to other surface materials and reviews the driving factors that contribute to its growing role in sustainable design strategies. Also discussed are the manufacturing, fabricating, and thermoforming processes of acrylic solid surface and the related green standards and certification programs.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Installing snow retention systems on rooftop applications improves the safety of building occupants and can decrease the risk of property damage. This course identifies different snow guard styles and explains how each contributes to snow retention. Installation techniques are reviewed, and layout designs that maximize occupant safety and minimize hazards are also discussed.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Magnesium oxide (MgO) products are panelized construction products that can be used as a direct replacement for other panels, such as gypsum, plywood, and OSB. This course aims to provide insight into MgO products, equipping building professionals with the knowledge and tools to select and specify them correctly, which in turn impacts occupant safety. We will also explore their performance characteristics, features, and purported issues, as well as relevant building code provisions and the evaluation process required for product compliance. Finally, we’ll look at the types of testing data for building materials and the importance of using certified products to ensure occupants’ life safety.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Healthcare facilities are striving to meet the needs of all patients and caregivers by offering healthy, safe, and inclusive spaces that can be repurposed quickly if needed. This course reviews innovations in plumbing design, such as vacuum plumbing and its applications, and explores how these design innovations support trending healthcare needs, including infection prevention, behavioral healthcare, and bariatric applications, and fulfill ADA requirements. Several case studies showcasing successful examples are also covered.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural resin panels are engineered to suit the demands of a wide array of interior and exterior applications and offer almost unlimited combinations of color, pattern, and design. This course presents the features and options that allow resin panels to meet design requirements for both function and beauty and discusses how resin panels may play a role in projects seeking LEED® v4 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M; Living Building ChallengeSM v3.1; or WELL Building Standard® v1 certification.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 630 results.

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