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 639 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The use of life safety dampers is driven by requirements in various building codes. There are many different applications for which fire, fire/smoke, smoke, and/or ceiling radiation dampers can be used, each having its own specific purpose and unique installation requirements. This course gives an in-depth look at the different types of dampers and explains how and where they're each used and installed.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Insulated vinyl siding, known as insulated siding, is an exterior cladding that combines the protection and low maintenance of traditional vinyl siding with the energy efficiency of EPS foam. The composite results in an improvement in performance and aesthetics. This course discusses the benefits associated with installing insulated siding on new and renovation residential construction projects, and the range of architectural styles that can be achieved with the breadth of design and color options available.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Single-skin metal siding can be used for a wide range of projects, from commercial buildings to educational, healthcare, residential, agricultural, and even high-end architectural designs. These siding panels can also contribute to green designs and certification programs. This course explores the different types of single-skin metal siding, specification details, and performance and design considerations.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Concrete is an essential part of modern buildings. As net zero energy buildings become more common, it is crucial to find ways to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint without losing the performance characteristics that make it valuable to the building team. This course explains the sources of concrete’s carbon footprint and explores strategies for reducing embodied carbon and operational carbon in precast sandwich wall panels and insulated architectural cladding.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Retrofitting and replacing roof systems are essential aspects of the construction industry and offer opportunities to reduce a building’s energy consumption. Sustainable retrofitting of roofs with durable, energy-efficient materials helps reduce waste and conserve resources while promoting ecofriendly building practices. This course gives an overview of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and innovative roof systems that are designed to enhance building efficiency.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The interior design industry will play a critical role in meeting the challenges of our increasingly changing world. However, the current practice of design is flawed and becoming increasingly marginalized by standard operating procedures. Business-as-usual approaches challenge effective responses to the diverse and evolving needs of humanity. Life happens in all the spaces we create. Without design, the way we experience living and each other would be drastically different. Beyond outcomes and aesthetics, what would reframing design to consider the diversity of our modern world look like? Learn how it would impact our creative processes and representation of "good design." Join the conversation to explore and see our industry through a new lens that will change the way you see design forever.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    People spend more than 90% of their time indoors; incorporating sunrooms, conservatories, greenhouses, and/or other glass structures into homes or workplaces can be an effective way to reap the benefits of daylight. The positive impacts of incorporating more natural light into your lifestyle can be seen through energy savings, increase of productivity, and improvement of overall well-being. This presentation reviews strategies and design options to create unique overhead structures, standing structures, and vertical glazing systems that are energy efficient, comfortable, and functional.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Fire safety and suppression are essential design features for building projects. This course explores how innovative water mist fire suppression systems can enhance occupant safety in homes while preserving aesthetics and minimizing water damage. Key design principles of electronically controlled water mist systems are examined, and their installation and maintenance are described. Also discussed is guidance for dealing with code officials when using these systems as an alternative to traditional fire sprinklers.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    In order to address tile installation difficulties effectively and avoid failures, designers and specifiers must maintain full awareness of current knowledge, practices, and products. This course reviews potentially problematic contemporary tile installation issues along with the industry guidance, methodologies, and products available to address them.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Creating a quieter, more comfortable building starts with a focus on windows and doors, the weakest links in the building envelope for sound transmission. This course covers the elements of sound, the metrics used to measure sound attenuation, and the glazing and installation options best suited for an effective sound control strategy.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long lasting and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC rebutted and rejointed (R&R) prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance.

  • ( ~ 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, 15 minutes ) 

    Commercial planters add interest to both commercial and residential spaces. An understanding of materials and options available when specifying planters is an essential tool for both designers and architects. These topics are addressed in this course along with discussions on the applications of commercial planters and the benefits they offer in the design of indoor and outdoor spaces.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and with recidivism rates as high as 75% within five years, the prospects for released inmates are dim. There is no simple solution to these issues, but one approach is to focus on rehabilitation to help inmates reintegrate successfully into society upon release. This course looks at the role evidence-based building design can play in a rehabilitative environment that promotes healing, autonomy, and growth. Design strategies are presented with a focus on ADA-compliant, ligature-resistant plumbing products and water management systems that support a clean, safe, secure, rehabilitative environment.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Infrared patio heaters sustainably increase safety and comfort in outdoor entertaining areas. There are many variables in creating ambient warmth, and the effectiveness and cost of heating an outdoor space depend on the design of the selected heating option. This course looks at the available outdoor heating options and their sustainability profiles, focusing on the types, color choices, mounting methods, and control options of electric infrared heaters. It includes a review of the steps required to select the best solution.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Plumbing design is highly regulated; improper design and installation can pose a serious health risk or result in costly property damage. This course reviews the plumbing codes and standards that govern plumbing fittings and fixtures, with special attention to standards to control the leaching of organics, metals, and lead into drinking water.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Choosing the best rolling door or commercial sectional door solution for an application can be challenging, so understanding the benefits of each type of door is essential to ensure the correct product is specified. This course covers the components, installation requirements, optional safety features, and design options for both types of doors.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 639 results.

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