Northwest Territories Association of Architects

The Northwest Territories Association of Architects is mandated by the Architects Act to regulate the practice of architecture, govern the profession, and establish and maintain standards of knowledge, skill, care and professional ethics among authorized practitioners to serve and protect the interests of the public.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 626 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural precast concrete products are versatile, sustainable, affordable, and resilient. This course examines the advantages of building with them and discusses the production process, unique characteristics, and installation of architectural precast concrete’s three main product groups.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As impervious land cover increases, so does the need for stormwater management. Concrete grid pavements provide increased infiltration rates, positively affecting runoff flow while decreasing erosion. This course introduces the range of grid pavement and erosion control applications and provides design and construction guidelines. Environmental performance is defined via conclusions from several research projects. Concrete grid pavements require minimal maintenance when properly designed and installed in appropriate applications. This course also includes an overview of how concrete grid paving units can be used to meet a number of LEED® v4.1 BD+C credit requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Surface design and color impact people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual and physical worlds. This course examines the integral role that surface color and design play in interior spaces and how color and design can improve health, reduce stress, enhance safety, and promote well-being in building occupants. Key requirements in the selection and specification process are also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Not only is standing seam metal roofing (SSMR) robust and durable, but the seam itself also provides a convenient anchorage point for the mounting of rooftop equipment. This course reviews the features and advantages of SSMR in terms of durability and sustainability, and the appropriate attachment solutions for mounting equipment. The course focuses on nonpenetrating roof seam clamps and design considerations for their use with snow retention and solar panel systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    As part of a well-designed rainscreen system, single-skin metal panels offer unique aesthetic options combined with the assurance that the building envelope will withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course compares common cladding types; presents single-skin metal panel materials, coatings, finishes, and design options; and examines using single-skin metal panels with a single-component barrier wall to form a complete rainscreen assembly. This course is one of two identical courses titled Single-Skin Metal Panel Building Envelope Solutions . You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) system provides occupants with filtered, balanced, and tempered air within their living space. Airborne contaminants can be greatly reduced with ERV systems. This course provides knowledge about the need, use, design, and installation of ERVs in the modern dwelling unit and when retrofitting existing structures. The course also addresses the environmental advantages of sustainable and healthy solutions for indoor air quality.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In today’s building designs, considering the environmental impact of construction projects is of utmost importance. As a result, factors such as durability, installation speed, cost reduction, and long-term value have become crucial aspects of building designs. This course addresses these concerns in the context of nonresidential building renovations, focusing specifically on using state-of-the-art acoustical ceiling coatings as an alternative to removal and replacement with new materials. The course also examines how acoustical ceiling coatings may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Synthetic or artificial grass bears virtually no resemblance to its early version produced over fifty years ago. The current product is much more aesthetically pleasing, safer, softer, and durable, made with environmentally friendly materials, highly customizable to suit many indoor and outdoor uses, and recyclable and nonflammable. This course details the many sustainable attributes of this material; its benefits, construction, and certifications; and numerous sample installations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Roof and floor hatches offer practical solutions for improving accessibility, safety, and functionality in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They must be designed and specified to provide safe access to rooftops and below-ground spaces to facilitate maintenance, inspections, equipment installations, and more. The specification considerations for roof, floor, and skylight hatches are presented here. Discussions include size considerations, material options, types of operation, safety features, loads, and thermal, fire, and acoustic performance.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Today’s building professionals seeking better moisture management and energy efficiency from the exteriors of their projects are turning to rainscreens as a solution to both. Wood-plastic composite (WPC) provides a durable and long-lasting material suitable for use in rainscreen systems, decks, railings, and more. Reviewed in this course are the manufacturing process, performance and green benefits, and installation of WPC cladding that is fully capped with a polymeric plastic “shield,” providing long-term resistance to moisture, staining, and fading.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    ICF construction is cost effective and sustainable, and is a superior way to build stronger, quieter, healthier, and more energy-efficient commercial structures. This course explores insulated concrete form (ICF) construction, describing the forms themselves and their construction, performance, and sustainable benefits. Also presented are design guidelines, the installation process, flooring systems, and commercial project applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    From pitched to low-slope roofing, a myriad of designs are possible. Conventional roofing with the waterproofing membrane located weather-side and protected membrane roofing with the waterproofing membrane located at the deck can be used on buildings of various end uses. Roofs can be low or high albedo to impact solar gain; add to this vegetative roof assemblies (green roofs), roofs with solar arrays, and blue roofs (stormwater management), and no two roofs are alike. Join us to review the modern roof taxonomies and associated benefits and drawbacks, learn about the latest options in roof construction, and reflect on performance differences.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Water is one of our most valuable resources, yet many states suffer water shortages due to preventable problems such as overuse and leakages. This course discusses the increased need for water conservation and examines the requirements in CALGreen and the LEED® v4.1, Green Globes®, and BREEAM In-Use green building rating systems. The EPA’s WaterSense® initiative is also discussed, along with case studies explaining the benefits of concealed toilet systems and their contribution to water conservation. This course is one of two identical courses titled Water Conservation: Initiatives and Standards . You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Understanding the performance of building materials in real-world conditions is key to a successful building design. Recent studies have shown that the commonly reported R-values of polyisocyanurate foams at room temperature may overstate their real-world performance in cooler temperatures, potentially resulting in gaps in designed building enclosure assembly performance and quality. Through a theoretical framework and empirical data, this course shows that optimized polyisocyanurate foam insulation results in better performance, leading to improved energy savings and reduced potential for condensation. Participants are encouraged to explore innovative insulation materials, understand differences between them, and match optimal materials to specific applications while meeting modern construction codes and regulations. By matching the right insulation materials to the application, architects can contribute to energy-efficient and cost-conscious construction practices and help buildings reduce their impact on the environment.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designers increasingly focus on creating environments that improve the health, welfare, and productivity of occupants. This includes providing the benefits of daylight, fresh air, and access to the outdoors. This course explores how retractable roofs can extend the use of outdoor spaces year-round by converting them to daylit indoor spaces seasonally or with sudden weather changes. It explains the economic benefits, structure, and operation of various retractable roof types and how they can be customized to suit multiple site sizes and types, including rooftops. The course concludes with a series of case studies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Commercial rolling service doors offer high performance solutions for demanding areas. Used both internally and externally, these doors provide excellent thermal insulation, strength, and durability in challenging environments. This course examines the characteristics of rolling service doors, fire doors, grilles, and shutters. Door operation, parts, fire code requirements, and wind load information are also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Kitchens have evolved, and so has the role of refrigeration in the home; there are a variety of factors that are contributing to this change. This course examines the social, economic, and demographic trends that are stimulating the reimagining of the kitchen space. The latest trends in kitchen design are discussed as is the role of modular refrigeration—a key design element in the creation of functional spaces that reflect the changing domestic landscape.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores how understanding disability can guide the creation of accessible and inclusive spaces. It examines access opportunities in educational and public environments, with an emphasis on strategies that go beyond code compliance. These approaches can help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 by improving usability, promoting occupant well-being, and reducing long-term barriers through design solutions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are known for their superior heat loss control, moisture and air resistance, and striking aesthetic capabilities. This course highlights how these attributes can be integrated to create beautiful, healthy, and safe buildings. It explains how IMPs achieve air, water, vapor, and thermal control via an advanced and cost-effective single-component system that accelerates construction time and offers design flexibility. The course includes essential design details and case studies that showcase the functional and aesthetic capabilities of IMPs. 

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Movable pool and spa floor technology enables an entirely flexible, multifunctional living and recreational space to complement any architectural vision. Presented here are types of movable pool floors, pool floor technology, options and amenities, and safety and sustainability performance considerations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Low Impact Development (LID) has several advantages over traditional stormwater management approaches. Since impervious pavement is the main source of stormwater runoff, LID strategies recommend permeable paving for hard surfaces. The course discusses LID, its goals and principles, and how they are achieved. It provides an overview of permeable pavements, and more particularly, plastic permeable grid paver systems and how they support LID goals.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Elevate your railing designs with a premanufactured system without compromising aesthetics or adaptability to site conditions. When you choose a manufacturer with design and engineering capabilities, you can customize premanufactured systems to meet safety standards AND enhance a project’s design. In this course, we discuss how a railing manufacturer helped three architects create unique solutions from premanufactured components.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The strength, versatility, local availability, and ease of use of concrete help make it the most consumed manufactured substance in the world. Concrete also offers sustainability and resilience benefits: a long lifespan, low maintenance needs, durability against natural disasters, high-albedo surfaces, smoother and stiffer pavement, carbon sequestration capabilities, and increased building energy efficiency. This course describes some of the new technologies that continue to evolve to produce concrete with the same performance and benefits as traditional concrete but with a lower carbon footprint. Also discussed is how to specify low-carbon concrete using EPDs, a carbon budget, and performance-based specifications and how it can contribute to the Building Design and Construction rating systems of LEED® v4.1 and the upcoming LEED v5.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 626 results.

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