Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 126 - 150 of 419 results.

FIRST PREV [76-100] [101-125] [126-150] [151-175] [176-200] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 30 minutes ) 

    As cities continue to grow, incorporating synthetic surfacing into rooftop spaces offers a safe, practical, and innovative solution to creating more livable, attractive, and resilient urban environments. The course explores synthetic rooftop surfacing, including its applications; environmental, health, and safety benefits; and product, manufacturer, and installer certifications. Also discussed is how synthetic turf can contribute to achieving certification in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Made from one of the hardest and most abundant minerals in nature, engineered quartz is a beautiful, durable surface solution for a wide range of commercial and residential applications desiring the beauty of natural stone without its drawbacks. The raw materials of quartz surfacing are harvested from the Earth and formed into slabs via an innovative production process, resulting in a homogenous, nonporous material with superior performance and low maintenance requirements. Reviewed in this course are the features, fabrication guidelines, and design trends of quartz surfacing.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores how multifunction tap systems combine a selection of filtered boiling, chilled, and sparkling water within a single, energy-efficient fixture. Learners will examine how this innovative solution supports healthier, more sustainable living and working environments and review real-world commercial and residential applications, highlighting the tap’s aesthetic versatility and impact in modern, design-conscious settings. 

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    PVC and KEE single-ply roofing membranes are widely used in sustainable building design due to their durability, material efficiency, and recyclability. This course provides an overview of installation, warranties, and maintenance requirements and explores the role of membranes in reflective and vegetated roof systems. Also examined are their potential contributions toward LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Sustainable SITES® v2 credits addressing urban heat island mitigation, solar panel readiness, stormwater management, and construction and demolition waste reduction.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rooftop deck systems offer the design flexibility to create adaptable, sustainable outdoor spaces that provide myriad environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic benefits. This course presents the three pillars of sustainability and how building products, materials, and systems can contribute to sustainable design. It outlines forest management objectives and practices and the responsible sourcing of wood for rooftop deck tiles. Case studies exemplify how rooftop deck systems can contribute to sustainable design objectives.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This course explores a 5,000-square-foot office expansion recently completed by Excel Dryer. The building owner was committed to reducing their environmental impact and building a beautiful, healthy, sustainable, and functional space. This course discusses the relevant tools for sustainable, healthy buildings, including the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 and the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system. The methods for achieving these goals are examined through various building products and systems: walls, furniture, HVAC, sound masking and acoustic systems, flooring, daylighting and solar shading, and plumbing.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Outdoor living space has become an important residential design consideration in the last several years. Decks create welcoming spaces to relax and entertain with family and friends, and a well-built deck can add more living space and value to a home. This course discusses deck surfaces, maintenance, and costs and explores porcelain tile as an alternative to wood and composite deck surfaces that is well suited to exterior environments. Also discussed is how porcelain tile can be used with a new pultruded fiberglass and composite underlayment, called structural ribbed self-supporting boards, and the sustainable features of this technology.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Despite increasing awareness, stiffer regulations, and improved methodologies, construction waste remains a significant and growing portion of the overall waste stream. Building designers play a significant role in preventing the initial creation of waste by specifying waste-reducing building design and construction methodologies, as well as managing waste in their own offices. This course provides an overview of current construction waste and landfill issues, their potential impacts, and strategies for addressing them. It then focuses on an innovative material sample system that eliminates a sizable portion of the waste generated by construction material samples.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In response to a stronger emphasis on natural resources, building efficiencies, and occupant welfare, manufacturers continue to improve design service offerings, product performance, and installation solutions. Fiberglass fenestration meets these demands for residential and commercial design in the built environment. This course explores the performance attributes of fiberglass fenestration, energy efficiency and structural benefits, testing and verification processes, and contributions to healthy building occupancy.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    While the bathroom was once a strictly utilitarian space, a growing trend among luxury consumers is to create a custom, spa-like wellness retreat right in the home. Surveys find that luxury consumers value functional and design excellence, uniqueness that reflects a creative side, and exceptional quality and value. This course examines the shower products available that help to create a personalized, multisensory wellness experience with beautifully designed pieces that meet water efficiency standards.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else and are afforded equal access to the built environment. This course discusses the need for compliance with accessibility regulations and how businesses can benefit from it. It explores the ADA, criteria for perimeter and interior access, accessible design requirements for door and doorway components, and relevant codes, standards, and design guidelines.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Stone has long been valued for its durability, reliability, and beauty. Today, natural thin stone veneer offers these benefits with reduced weight, cost, and environmental impact. This course explores its applications in commercial and residential settings, covering aesthetics, performance, and key specification standards. It also examines the sustainability profile of thin stone veneer compared to full natural and manufactured stone, highlighting an industry-wide LCA, responsible quarrying and processing, and how collaboration with fabricators can reduce environmental impact while preserving quality and design integrity.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines key selection criteria for stage flooring, including fixed, sprung, and dynamic systems. It covers permanent and portable solutions, surface materials, and sustainability in material choice and life-cycle management. Case studies highlight the impact of flooring on performance quality, safety, and environmental factors. The course also addresses accessibility, installation, refurbishment, and related manufacturer services.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Resin-mineral composite is an exceptional building material for exterior applications and embodies the enduring appeal of wood without its challenges. The composition, design options, and performance attributes of resin-mineral composite (RMC) decking and siding are explored. Also discussed are product and manufacturer sustainability, product evaluations, and the range of applications suitable for resin-mineral composite.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Within building spaces, noise can be reduced by using materials or assemblies that isolate sound or mitigate its transmission. To do this, it is important to understand how sound moves through building materials and partitions and the impact of sound mitigation products. In this course, we look at the basics of sound as well as techniques and products to prevent sound transmission.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Homeowners are increasingly interested in creating outdoor living spaces that enhance their enjoyment and increase their homes’ energy efficiency. This course outlines how retractable screens offer sustainable design solutions for homeowners, architects, and builders. Topics discussed include screen components and how retractable screens offer protection from insects and UV rays and contribute to enhancing a home’s energy efficiency. Various case studies focusing on sustainability are examined.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act shines a light on how low-carbon building material selection is one of the keys to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the US. High-performance, sustainable products and thoughtful assemblies designed with the building life cycle in mind are critical to the future of our sustainable communities. This course provides a look at how low-carbon and sustainability considerations are activated from product to building design. Factors impacting a sustainable building life cycle are discussed to help architects and owners with building performance that meets the design intent not just on paper but also in use.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Selecting a countertop surface today, whether for a break lounge or a reception desk, means weighing the relative sustainability of the choices while considering whether the material meets the design objectives of the space. This course will help you decide whether quartz surfacing does that. We will review its performance characteristics and environmental and human health impacts, compare it to other options, and guide selection and design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Throughout history, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure that the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with efficiency in the application that is expected in today's world of design. This course covers the creation of GFRC, its components, fabrication, applications, and design capabilities. It compares GFRC to other types of architectural concrete and presents GFRC performance and sustainable design advantages.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines bamboo as a sustainable construction material by focusing on its properties, environmental advantages, and innovative applications. Participants will explore responsible sourcing, manufacturing practices, and key certifications. The course also covers advanced products such as thermally modified and high-density bamboo. Professionals will gain the knowledge required to integrate bamboo into projects that align with performance and sustainability standards.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines the material composition, reinforcement types, and testing standards associated with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen membranes. It explains how fiberglass, polyester, and combination reinforcements affect membrane strength, flexibility, and dimensional stability. The standards that establish testing methods for tensile strength, elongation, and long-term performance are covered in detail. The course also outlines how material selection and installation practices influence roof durability, moisture resistance, and occupant safety.

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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 ) 

    When deciding on outdoor cabinetry, understanding the available material options is essential to the selection of a long-lasting, sustainable choice. This course reviews the pros and cons of these options, with a focus on the attributes, sustainability, and performance characteristics of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, engineered to withstand extreme conditions while maintaining optimal structural integrity.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    High-performance, fully composite insulated wall panels deliver all the benefits of factory precasting with load-bearing and energy efficiency performance from the lightest, thinnest panels possible. This course describes the makeup and cost efficiencies of composite precast panels, their benefits when made with carbon fiber grid shear trusses, and considerations for selecting among the insulation options. The majority of the course focuses on case studies of successful precast enclosure projects in a wide variety of building types across a range of markets.

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Displaying 126 - 150 of 419 results.

FIRST PREV [76-100] [101-125] [126-150] [151-175] [176-200] NEXT LAST