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Designing Beautiful High-performance Building Envelopes

The building envelope has a lot of different jobs to do—from insulating the building so that it can be efficiently heated and cooled to providing air and water barriers that keep harmful moisture at bay, as well as providing the aesthetic face of the project. High performance building envelopes do all of those things extremely well. This article explores some of the latest high-performance solutions that can be used to create those high-performance envelopes.

 

HSW Justification:
A high-performance building envelope is necessary to create a building that is efficient and healthy. This article takes a look at how different components in the building envelope perform—giving architects the information they need to choose high-performance components that will produce a high-performing envelope.

Learning Objective 1:
Compare different types of continuous insulation in terms of the thermal performance they offer and the way they behave when exposed to water and fire.

Learning Objective 2:
Describe how insulated metal panels (IMPs) can be used on the envelope to improve building performance, create efficient and healthy interiors, and enhance design flexibility.

Learning Objective 3:
Explain how PET bottles can be upcycled into insulation creating a new product that contains recycled material and improves thermal performance of the building envelope.

Learning Objective 4:
Describe the ways that architectural metal wall systems enable architects to push the creative boundaries of their designs.

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Composite Panel Products – Division 6 Materials & LEED® Credits

This course will equip participants to compare features, benefits and limitations of particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) with considerations of product grades and their physical properties for proper end-use selection.

Learning Objective 1:
To help students understand the health benefits of composite products and how testing is an essential means to verify performance.

Learning Objective 2:
To explain to attendees the alternative resin technologies used in the manufacturing process.

Learning Objective 3:
To help students to become familiar with various composite panel products and their environmentally-friendly make-up.

Learning Objective 4:
To familiarize attendees with the variety of ways that composite panels contribute to LEED credits.

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Performance Fabrics in Sustainable Design

This course aims to help educate the designer about what performance fabrics are, the content of various fabrics, how they work, and the benefits to a sustainable design in meeting and maximizing your goals of occupant health, safety, well-being, and sustainability. Windows, views, and openings in buildings present the classic battle between form and function. The designer naturally wants the building’s occupants to enjoy views and light, but the solar heat gain from these openings can wreak havoc on sustainable goals. Sophisticated and high-performing solar control fabrics can help reconcile the form and function of light, views, and sustainability.

HSW Justification:
Substantially all of this course is dedicated to a discussion of the health, safety and welfare aspects of performance fabrics through their appropriate specification, their fabrics' chemical composition, their proper use, their ability to meet safety and performance standards, and their aesthetic contribution.

Learning Objective 1:
The student will learn how to analyze shading fabrics for solar light management including energy reduction, glare and outward visibility, using published shading coefficient data.

Learning Objective 2:
The student will be able to list certification requirements for indoor air quality, anti-bacterial protection, flame retardancy, and environmental regulations.

Learning Objective 3:
The student will be able to identify fabric composition options with an emphasis on sustainable design.

Learning Objective 4:
The student will be able to apply their knowledge of performance fabric features to unique, real-world applications in healthcare, hospitality, government, business, and residential projects.

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The History and Impact of Synthetic Turf

This course is designed to teach the history of synthetic turf, its application in water and energy conservation, pollution abatement, sustainable design, and its versatility in numerous landscaping applications and designs. Participants will become knowledgeable about synthetic turf and innovative applications that could be applied to their residential and commercial projects. The most current technological advances in the industry and the positive role synthetic turf plays in the environment.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will gain an increased awareness of the positive environmental impact of synthetic turf on water use, reduced energy demand and reduction of use of fossil fuels, reduced chemical application, and resulting reduction of water and noise pollution.

Learning Objective 2:
Students will become more informed on the newest synthetic turf material technologies available, including the use of soy based materials, as well as how the proper application of infills and proper material selection can benefit the health and safety of athletes.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will be more knowledgeable about the history and evolution of the technology and of landscaping and sports applications using synthetic turf.

Learning Objective 4:
Students will better understand the versatility of synthetic turf and its many uses in sustainable landscape design.

 

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Discussing Circadian Lighting and the WELL Building Standard with Marty Brennan

This course will explore the requirements, challenges, and best practices for achieving the Circadian Lighting Design Feature L03 in the WELL Building Standard version 2.0.

HSW Justification:
The purpose of this feature in the WELL Building Standard is to provide building occupants with an appropriate exposure to the type of light that can maintain circadian health and align their circadian rhythm with the day-night cycle. The support of the circadian system has been shown to have tremendous health benefits to the people in the space.

Learning Objective 1:
Explain the relationship between spectral power distribution (SPD) and circadian lighting.

Learning Objective 2:
Summarize the circadian lighting feature requirements in the WELL Building Standard v2.

Learning Objective 3:
Describe a few best practices that can help architects to meet this challenging circadian lighting criteria.

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Achieving Beauty, Wellbeing, and Functionality in Design

Beauty, functionality, and wellness-enhancing can co-exist in design, with the right products. This article explores solutions that help architects achieve these important multi-benefits. Pavers that create beautiful outdoor spaces that are easy to maintain. Skylights that allow daylight and fresh air into the interior. Underlayment that improves acoustics and sound management, while protecting the integrity of the interior air quality. Each improves the functionality of the space and the wellness of the people in the built environment.

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Innovations In Education Design Using Opening Glass Walls

This course will describe the benefits of moveable glass walls in education environments from K-12 through higher education. It includes a comprehensive look at design options, framing and installation options, interior and exterior connecting applications, acoustical attenuation, daylighting, and 21st Century Educational design.

HSW Justification:
Privacy, daylighting, on-demand teaching flexibility, improved teaching outcomes and student and teacher health benefits are the primary focus of this course.

Learning Objective 1:
Identify and recognize the significance of flexible space in school design to safely accommodate variable educational needs

Learning Objective 2:
Assess the health and welfare aspects of glass wall systems in terms of providing daylight and views to students, teachers and staff.

Learning Objective 3:
Explain the importance of acoustics and the impact on student performance, and creating a better indoor environment.

Learning Objective 4:
Determine ways to incorporate the design principles presented into building project documentation as shown in project examples.

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Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers

Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP) have the ability to create solid, strong surfaces for pedestrians and a range of vehicular uses, and can help maintain a site’s existing natural hydrologic function. This course discusses the goals of a PICP system and the materials used. It compares PICP with other stormwater management systems and describes the proper installation of a permeable paver system.

HSW Justification:
Permeable paver systems help prevent flooding that can contribute to injury, accidents, and property damage. Additionally, permeable paver systems properly installed help maintain more purified groundwater by providing a filter medium and detention reservoirs, reducing turbidity and pollution from runoff.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will be able to identify benefits and opportunities for using permeable pavers.

Learning Objective 2:
Students will be able to analyze the goals and criteria for using a permeable paver system.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will be able to list permeable paver materials and understand how to design different solutions

Learning Objective 4:
Students will be able to evaluate and compare permeable pavers to other traditional stormwater solutions.

Learning Objective 5:
Students will understand different installation procedures for permeable pavers.

...Read More

The 60-Minute MBA for Design Professionals

In this session, we will learn the fundamentals of all successful AE firms and provide the basis for making well-grounded business decisions. We will learn how firms can transition from being professionals providing services, to highly tuned businesses that can identify the needs of the marketplace and create services and products that are appropriately priced and yield consistent and greater profits.

Rather than seeking out new projects that merely build upon your current skills, you will start from a business-thinking mindset, where processes that are critical to building a thriving firm are examined and constituted in your firm. We will explore the importance of data within an architect firm and demonstrate how careful collection and interpretation can lead your firm into more exciting and profitable territory.

Following are the course's Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify why a “business-thinking” mindset is of utmost importance for service professionals
  2. Explain best practices for implementing a metrics-oriented leadership system
  3. Summarize how data-based performance management drives smarter business decisions
  4. Analyze how profitability drives growth rather than being merely a result
  5. Reframe your firm as a platform that enables you to achieve your business and personal goals
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Dynamic Lighting - Realities, Practicalities, Potential

Dynamic lighting, also known as tunable, color-changing, and circadian lighting, is being adopted and employed in current lighting designs.  There are many studies showing the benefits of dynamic lighting in built environments.  Early adopters have seeded the market and several lighting manufacturers now employ some level of Dynamic Lighting. This course is intended to explore what  Dynamic Lighting is, how it works in commercial luminaires, how to control it, and where the lighting community is being directed by standards, regulation, and voice of the customer. 

At the end of this course, participants will learn:

  1. Define elements of dynamic lighting.
  2. Learn the uses of dynamic lighting.
  3. See illustrations of how to control dynamic lighting.
  4. Become aware of the regulations, standards, and customer requests that are driving adoption.
...Read More
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