Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 176 - 200 of 404 results.

FIRST PREV [126-150] [151-175] [176-200] [201-225] [226-250] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course introduces acetylated wood as a sustainable building material, exploring its origin, modification process, and environmental benefits. Participants will learn how acetylation enhances wood durability, stability, and resistance to decay—extending its service life and reducing maintenance. The course highlights how acetylated wood supports green building goals through renewable sourcing and nontoxic treatment and may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2, and the Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2. Real-world case studies demonstrate its use in architectural and preservation projects, offering practical insights into sustainable design applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course aims to educate learners about the chemistry of spray-applied polyurethane foam (SPF), its various applications in the construction industry, safe handling and installation, and its contribution to sustainable design. The advantages of using SPF are highlighted in terms of its benefits to energy conservation and fire safety. Its role as a high-performance air barrier that satisfies code and LEED® criteria and complies with various standards is also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Material transparency is a growing initiative in the green and healthy building arena. This course reviews legislation that provides the baseline for healthy and sustainable materials and discusses the limitations of those regulations. It also explores the predominant green building programs and how material transparency can help achieve certification. Learners will leave this course with an understanding of how to access, analyze, and apply material transparency to their projects and leverage initiatives to support a healthier, more sustainable building industry.

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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 ) 

    Terrazzo is versatile and durable, comes in a range of colors, and has multiple applications. It can be used in interiors and exteriors and, depending on the manufacturing process, can be customized to fit complex geometries. In this course, we discuss different applications of precast, cementitious, and epoxy terrazzo and the installation requirements, as well as the ability to customize these products to fit different design requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designing beautiful, sustainable, high-performance buildings can help your structures leave a lasting impression and positive impact. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) accomplish that while providing innovative design possibilities for single or multistory projects. Learn about the features and advantages of building with ICFs designed as a cost-effective, energy-efficient solution that offers substantial benefits over traditional construction methods.

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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 ) 

    Main entrance air curtains are used by architects and engineers in commercial, institutional, and industrial settings to both improve energy efficiency and protect occupant comfort and well-being. This course reviews the research that led to air curtains being approved as an alternative to vestibules in ASHRAE 90.1-2019 and other building codes, as well as how air curtains on main entries contribute to sustainability goals around energy conservation, public health, and indoor air quality.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    The principles, tools, and techniques for sustainable community planning (SCP) outlined in Part 1 of this course have evolved into various approaches to the actual implementation of SCP around the world. These approaches have been developed in response to local context and in communities ranging in size and form from large cities to small ecovillages and housing clusters. Part 2 of this course describes a number of these approaches for both land and water and also suggests a means of integrating them into a single, comprehensive planning model. The course concludes with case studies of a range of built sustainable community examples and planning exercises and includes some of the lessons learned.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    The building envelope must withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course explores rainscreen wall design and the control of hygrothermal loads. The traditional multicomponent backup wall assembly is compared with the single-component, insulated metal composite backup wall system, outlining key differences in design and construction and their overall effect on installation and performance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. This course provides an overview of the properties of Redwood Timbers including insulation properties, grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength. It concludes with numerous case studies exploring the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The planet is currently in a water scarcity crisis, which is significantly affected by toilet water usage. This course examines the current plumbing codes, standards, and regulations that address toilet water usage, the need for and benefits of going beyond current standards, and the goals of a variety of beyond-the-code voluntary standards and rating systems, such as LEED v4 BD+C and ICC 700 National Green Building Standard®. It explains the various types of low-flow and ultra-low-flow toilets, their pros and cons, and their selection criteria. It concludes with a sampling of successful cost- and water-saving installations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The popularity of thin gauged porcelain tile has soared because of its large slab size, beauty, durability, sustainability, and versatility. These tiles are suitable for many environments, especially hospitality, institutional, and office applications. This course explores their many uses, their economic and environmental benefits, and proper installation techniques.

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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 ) 

    Wood is not only visually appealing; it plays a vital role in shaping acoustics. This course examines the acoustic properties of wood and its applications in wood-based architectural solutions, focusing on how acoustic wood products can help control noise in commercial and residential environments. Also reviewed is how these products support sustainable design objectives, including their role in meeting the criteria of the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems, as well as the WELL Building Standard™ v2. The presentation features design strategies and case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of acoustic wood products in achieving superior performance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The green building movement has been fueled by a variety of factors, including effects on the environment and human health. This course looks closely at high-pressure laminate (HPL), which covers horizontal and vertical surfaces in many different types of commercial, institutional, and residential buildings. As part of a variety of other products, such as cabinetry, countertops, wall coverings, and furnishings, it can contribute directly to sustainable building design solutions. HPL products can be specified that meet accepted standards for minimizing or reducing environmental and health impacts. All these can be documented to assist in green building certification programs such as LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 (WELL v2™), and others.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Palm is a plentiful but underused resource with many possibilities to enhance architectural design. This course describes the growth, harvesting, and rendering of palm, how it is manufactured into flooring, plywood, and paneling products, and what to consider when specifying and installing. A detailed look at the products available as well as project examples demonstrates how palm 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials throughout the world, and as such, it is in everyone’s best interest to consider more sustainable options. This course provides an overview of the properties of slag cement. Discussion topics include benefits, effects on plastics and hardened concrete, environmental profile including life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPDs), and various slag cement applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    This course is designed to educate and raise awareness among landscapers and architects to assist them in making correct turfgrass selections for their projects. The focus is on warm-season sod turfgrasses suited for the southern and midsection tiers of the United States. The selection criteria and best practices for sodding and maintaining turfgrass are reviewed, along with an introduction to proprietary cultivars designed to offer improved aesthetics, greater tolerances, and fewer inputs.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The implementation of synthetic surfacing for leisure and performance applications is rapidly growing. Artificial materials such as synthetic turf (grass), synthetic green walls, and poured-in-place and court surfacing often outperform their natural counterparts. Additionally, increased safety standards and design expectations have accelerated innovation in the materials available to designers. This course outlines synthetic surfacing options and examines synthetic turf systems, detailing their design considerations, performance features, sustainability and health benefits, and associated return on investment (ROI).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Often the largest access point in a building, sectional door systems play a significant role in controlling energy costs and supporting sustainable design in residential and commercial buildings. This course explores the specification considerations and the different types of sectional garage doors, as well as their role in enhancing the thermal performance of homes and commercial buildings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Biophilic design is a methodology for designing buildings and landscapes that improve human health and well-being while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. This course provides an overview of biophilic design and its frameworks and how it can help projects earn certification through LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C): New Construction, WELL Building Standard™ version 2, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the Living Building Challenge (LBC).

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Displaying 176 - 200 of 404 results.

FIRST PREV [126-150] [151-175] [176-200] [201-225] [226-250] NEXT LAST