The building envelope separates the conditioned interior space from the environmental elements of the great outdoors, and this course explores a few solutions to equip the building envelope to defend the interior from nature's onslaughts, manage moisture, improve thermal performance, and admit daylight without glare.

HSW Justification:
Improper use of vapor barriers is one of the leading causes of moisture-related issues in buildings today. Those moisture related issues can include the growth of mold and mildew, which compromises the quality of the indoor environment and can even cause structural damage. Designing a proper air barrier system is crucial to moisture protection and protecting the thermal performance of the original design. This article provides best practices for designing an air barrier system that will function properly. We also discuss some solutions that can improve the functionality of the building envelope’s thermal performance. The course explores a translucent and an opaque solution that improve the thermal performance of the envelope, while offering additional benefits. Translucent wall panels allow diffuse, glare-free daylight into an interior, without compromising thermal efficiency at the opening and precast structural panels offer code-exceeding thermal performance and structural load-bearing capabilities.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will be able to explain why controlling air leakage in the building envelope is crucial to safeguarding the quality of the interior environment and protecting the energy efficiency of the building.

Learning Objective 2:
Students will learn to apply best practices to design an air barrier system that will effectively manage moisture intrusion and avoid moisture-related issues in the building envelope.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will be able to describe how translucent daylight panels allow daylight into the interior, mitigate glare and provide better thermal performance than many other glazing solutions.

Learning Objective 4:
Students will learn to use structural precast concrete panels to reduce the amount of perimeter steel needed on a project, while achieving and exceeding code-compliant thermal performance.

Neuroarchitecture is a design discipline that seeks to incorporate neuroscience into design to augment the built environment’s positive influence on the emotional and physical health of people.

Program: Architecture, Design, and Building Science

The purpose of this presentation is to give you a clear understanding of the features and benefits of textured metals and discover how to best specify stainless steel and metal alloys in your projects. The first part of our talk will introduce the ecological and economic properties of textured stainless steel as well as educate you on the composition of metals and alloys. The second portion of this presentation will illustrate the process of texturing metals and their applications, as well as how to specify them. The session will also review projects that use textured metals - with beautiful results.

HSW Justification:
Most of this course is dedicated to explaining the aesthetic, ecological and economic advantages of textured metals. Most often, the metal used in stainless steel, which is very long-lived, valuable and 100 percent recyclable. The case studies focus on many beautiful installations that enhance the lives of occupants and visitors through the art and craftsmanship of the installations.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will understand ecological, economic, health and safety benefits of utilizing metals that can be deep textured.

Learning Objective 2:
Students will explore current applications that employ deep textured metals because of their ecological benefits, enhanced performance, and aesthetic attributes.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will learn compositions of metals that can be deep textured, how each performs under varying environmental constraints, and how to safely and economically specify deep textured metals.

Learning Objective 4:
Students will discover end user benefits of deep texturing metals, including performance enhancement, material usage reduction and longer product lifecycles.

Designing buildings for life safety and wellness is getting easier.

This one-minute video shows you just how easy it is to take a course on TCA. Give it a play, explore the intuitive User Interface and the many features that make TCA easy and enjoyable. New courses are being added all the time!

There is never a cost to take a course or earn a certificate. Registration takes just a couple minutes – you only have to do it once to enroll in any course, at any time in the future – look over the course catalog for each of our programs, just click on a couple of course descriptions that look interesting to you to add them to your wish list, and start watching some really great videos.

You will also enjoy browsing the Video Vault, our video library of building and construction videos from many of the manufacturers and organizations that sponsor courses on TCA. Courses are not permitted to feature competitive product distinctions between manufacturers, except in very broad terms, so these additional videos get into branded product details, installation, safety, materials and other details of the brands.

If you have any questions, just use the Contact Us link at the top of the page.

This course will teach students how to recognize non-compliant rooftop equipment support scenarios and will discuss their impact on safety and the public health, general welfare, and property value.

This course will cover the aesthetic, design, health, safety and welfare aspects of, and certifications achieved by wallcoverings laminated with DuPont™ Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride film. Because Dupont™ is the only source for Tedlar® film there is no comparable competitive product in the market place. Therefore, we will be referring to the product from time to time by using its registered trademark brand name, Tedlar®.

HSW Justification:
Tedlar PVF film is applied to wallcovering to prevent off-gassing of building materials behind the wall. The film also is repeatedly and frequently cleanable without damage or deterioration. It does not support the growth o=f microorganisms, mold or mildew and is therefore excennent in restaurant and hospital settings. Additionally, the film is impossible to permanently stain. Stains wipe off with ease. Learning objectives cite additional HSW benefits.

Learning Objective 1:
The architect will recognize the aesthetic and design advantages of using PVF film on wallcoverings and architectural surfaces.

Learning Objective 2:
The architect will understand the health and safety advantages of using PVF film wallcoverings in occupied spaces.

Learning Objective 3:
The architect will be able to identify appropriate interior and exterior applications for wallcoverings protected by PVF film.

Learning Objective 4:
And, the architect will understand the ratings and certifications achieved by Tedlar® laminated wallcoverings.

Because Dupont™ is the only source for Tedlar® film there is no comparable competitive product in the market place. Therefore, we will be referring to the product from time to time by using its registered trademark brand name, Tedlar®.

Owing to the unique nature of this product, an architectural specification describing the PVF film known as Tedlar®. You will need to download this document to begin the course. At least one of the concluding quiz questions is based on this supplemental material.

A Pattern Map evaluates a pattern on two key elements: structure and nature. This course explains why these two elements affect how we recognize and respond to pattern and examines ways to bridge architecture and nature by using architectural panel systems with patterned openings, and provide a sense of space, privacy, shade, or camouflage with cladding, screens, or railings.

HSW Justification:
Pattern improves the physical emotional and social well-being of those who experience the space. It protects those who occupy the space, and pattern enables equitable access, elevates human experience, encourages social interaction and benefits the built environment.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will learn to compare patterns on a patten map

Learning Objective 2:
Students will learn to explain how different characteristics of a pattern functionally and aesthetically impact the visual space.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will learn how to select the openness factor and base material that will help meet project objectives.

Learning Objective 4:
Students will learn how to apply HSW Best Practices to provide privacy, facades, camouflage, shade, or railings with architectural panels with patterned openings.

See more videos from Parasoleil here

Solar shading devices, while available in numerous weaves, textures, and colors, go beyond contributing to the aesthetics of a space. Specified correctly, solar shading devices can maximize daylighting benefits and contribute to occupant well-being, productivity, and engagement, while mitigating the detrimental effects of UV rays and glare.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will understand the benefits daylighting, including the psychological and physiological well-being of occupants, as well as its drawbacks, such as glare and solar heat gain

Learning Objective 2:
Students will become familiar with the types of solar shading fabrics available for use in commercial settings and their components, including operating systems, weave, color, and openness factor, and the ways in which these contribute to the control of daylighting.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will explore the benefits of solar shading devices that extend beyond light management, such as sound mitigation, sustainability, and antimicrobial properties.

Learning Objective 4:
Students will determine how to select the right fabric for an application, taking into account aesthetics and room conditions

This course will cover introductory level descriptions of various sectional door styles and how they impact energy efficiency, maximize ambient light, add to design aesthetics, and protect the health and safety of building occupants. Additionally, applicable varieties of industrial doors will also be included.