Ontario Association of Architects

The Ontario Association of Architects is dedicated to promoting and increasing the knowledge, skill and proficiency of its members, and administering the Architects Act, to serve and protect the public interest.

Click to Learn More About the Ontario Association of Architects

Visit www.oaa.on.ca and Join Now!

Displaying 1 - 25 of 638 results.

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

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Acoustical doors are vital in managing sound transmission in various architectural and industrial settings. This course discusses evaluating, specifying, and integrating acoustical doors into projects that demand effective noise control, speech privacy, and occupant comfort. It also examines how acoustical doors may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Compliance with fire safety codes and SCIF specifications is also discussed.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    A large portion of new commercial and residential buildings built today are equipped with clear, floor-to-ceiling glass. Does this new expansive area of glass lead to daylight optimization? This course explains the impacts of daylighting on human health and building occupant comfort. Proactive and reactive automated shading systems are discussed, and the course explains how a properly designed shading system can reduce whole-building energy consumption. Automated shading systems in projects of various scopes and scales are also discussed.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    “Good” lighting is more than photometric performance: it is an art and a science that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. It must meet the visual needs of many and satisfy a myriad of individuals’ subjective perceptions. Architectural lighting design is a series of planned experiences involving people and spaces that we create by modulating and delivering light. This course discusses a conceptual framework for lighting design that specifiers can use to bring an architectural vision to life with the most powerful medium available to enrich the built environment and enhance the end-user experience: light!

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Operable wall systems integrate the indoors and outdoors and define interior spaces, providing flexibility and additional usable area without increasing a building’s footprint. Occupants benefit from expansive daylighting and views as well as quick access to fresh air. This course describes the types of operable wall systems, how they contribute to sustainable design, and the various options and considerations for selecting the correct system.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 2 hours, 30 minutes ) 

    The magnitude and negative impacts of solid waste have become increasingly apparent, especially in regard to plastics and their presence in the oceans. As a result, there have been many approaches to rethinking what constitutes waste and how it can be avoided or used/managed in a more sustainable manner. This course explores these emerging approaches to waste management planning and illustrates them with current examples of solid waste management plans and initiatives from various countries around the globe. In the first part of this course, we’ll dig into the impact of our growing waste problem and some methods for rethinking this waste. In the second, we’ll provide guidance for the design of a sustainable community waste management plan.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Lightweight, prefinished, and factory-fabricated insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer building owners a durable, cost-efficient, and easy-to-install roofing system that provides an air barrier, vapor barrier, and insulation all in one product. This course discusses the characteristics of IMPs and the installation process and explains why IMPs are ideally suited for pre-engineered and structural steel buildings. The role of IMPs in a building’s hygrothermal control layers and IMP code compliance are reviewed.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 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.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The use of sustainable materials and products during building design will become the standard within the construction industry, and environmental product declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) help architects and owners make informed decisions for their projects. Insulated metal panels— a prime example of a sustainable product—are one of the most cost-effective solutions to reduce energy and greenhouse gases.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 30 minutes ) 

    Prequalification of contractors is a method used to manage the risks of an open tender process. It ensures the contractors invited to bid on the project have demonstrated applicable experience and are capable of delivering the necessary quality and value. This course is a primer on contractor prequalification and describes who benefits from the process, the applicable project delivery methods, the role of the architect, the typical information requested of the contractor, and when to use prequalification and when not to.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Stucco is a popular and durable finishing material that offers many benefits, combining safety and affordability while satisfying aesthetic needs. It can be applied to various surfaces using a lath system, which provides support for stucco. However, the quality of the stucco lath embedment can greatly affect its performance. This course covers the proper technique for achieving lath embedment, the different types of metal lath and their various applications, and regional material preferences.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Play and music are both essential parts of our lives. When we can combine music and play together in a fun and engaging space, the benefits are numerous, no matter your age. This course discusses why play and music education perform such a critical role in the development of happy, healthy children. We'll discuss the copious amounts of research that tell us that music education has real-life benefits, such as increased IQ, language development, and social engagement, and the role music plays within multiple therapies for the elderly and those suffering from mental illnesses. The course finishes with an overview of how to design musical play spaces for safety and inclusivity.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Artificial turf is essentially a flooring fabric made from a variety of materials and layers. Since its creation, the artificial turf industry has studied the behavior of natural grass and the safety and sustainability of artificial grass. This course examines today’s artificial grass systems and discusses how they are carefully planned, designed, and built to suit the specific needs of an outdoor residential or commercial landscape.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As more companies invest in solar to generate clean power for their operations, meet environmental goals, or save money on electrical bills, architects and building owners may need to be prepared to accommodate rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in both existing and new buildings. This course provides an introduction to rooftop PV systems, including a discussion of modules, components, and attachments, and best practices for a durable roof and PV system.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Although known for being a strong and versatile building material, there are a number of factors that affect the sustainability of concrete, and a variety of measures that can be taken to increase its durability and extend its service life, thus protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the users. This course discusses the environmental impact of concrete and some of the main causes of concrete deterioration, and examines how crystalline waterproofing technology can be employed to increase the durability and sustainability of concrete.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Waterborne pathogens in healthcare facilities are a significant source of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) that cause thousands of deaths every year and billions of dollars in direct healthcare costs. This course will familiarize you with waterborne pathogens found in healthcare water systems, the technical standards that manage the risk of outbreaks, and the components of a water management program (WMP). Finally, we will review the characteristics of plumbing fixtures designed to deter pathogen growth.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural metal fabric is a dynamic interior and exterior material used to create beautiful and functional façades, balustrades, and screening for a wide variety of commercial and public structures. This course discusses applications for metal fabric and its performance benefits, including safety, security, solar management, and sustainability. It also discusses how coatings and graphics technologies can be incorporated into metal fabrics to enhance branding and visual identity.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Bamboo is a versatile, strong material with a warm aesthetic that suits an array of interior design styles. This course looks at how bamboo is sustainably sourced to produce low-VOC products such as flooring, cladding, and three-ply architectural wall and ceiling panels. Project examples highlight a CNC routing method that produces panels with eye-catching patterns of varying depths and levels of intricacy. The course also examines how bamboo products may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Soft flooring has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years due to its aesthetics, lower costs, durability, and ease of care. This course discusses how to create the optimal soft flooring system through proper substrate and surface preparation.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Drying hands thoroughly is crucial for maintaining hygiene levels, and when a hand dryer is too slow, the result is many people give up trying to dry their hands and leave the bathroom with wet or damp hands. Research has shown that damp hands can transmit up to 1,000x more bacteria than dry hands. This course discusses hand-drying concepts and the advantages of hand dryers with air knife technology. It also reviews the impact the choice of hand-drying equipment has on public health, occupant comfort, facility operations, and our environment.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    From home offices to gyms to entertaining, homes have become multifunctional spaces. The use of smart technology provides innovative options for people to control and manage their homes for comfort and well-being on a daily basis. Smart home technology allows people to customize their homes. This course discusses how smart technology can interconnect household spaces to increase comfort, cleanliness, and well-being.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 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.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In today’s digitally interconnected world, data centers play an essential role in society and the global economy. Data centers have unique design needs to ensure security, reliability, efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. This course focuses on the exterior data center design requirements and examines how fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) products contribute to more efficient facility construction, seamless maintenance, and long-term operational savings.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Direct vent fireplaces are safe and efficient supplemental heat sources in today’s homes. This course reviews the innovative design options for gas fireplaces, including media options, cool wall technology, and safety barriers. Direct and power vent heat delivery systems are discussed, and the impact of standing versus electric pilot lights on energy efficiency is examined.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Whether for new construction or a retrofit, doors and openings play an integral role in defining how a space functions and can impact occupants in multiple ways, making door selection an important process. This course discusses the many benefits sliding and pocket doors offer, including aesthetics, space savings, improved occupant flow, accessibility, and ease of operation. Typical sliding and pocket door hardware types, methods of operation, and installation are also reviewed.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER
  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    In the 1920s, aluminum turned the world of metals upside down with its benefits of light weight, strength, fabrication flexibility, and durability. Since then, finishing technology has provided a steady stream of protection and coloring improvements. This course explores the sustainability of aluminum, the anodizing process, and the performance characteristics of architectural anodized aluminum. It includes information to assist in the selection and specification of architectural anodized finishes for aluminum sheet, extrusions, and panels.

    Ask a Question
    SAVE FOR LATER

Displaying 1 - 25 of 638 results.

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