Continuous air barriers are essential for a building’s energy efficiency, durability and indoor air quality - and are currently required by energy codes. There are several types of air barriers commonly used in the industry, including building wraps, self-adhered, and fluid applied membranes. This course focuses on fluid applied air barriers which have continued to increase in popularity in recent years. The main properties of fluid applied air barrier systems which include wet and cured thickness, vapor permeability, water sensitivity, elongation & recovery, and UV resistance vary over a very broad range and are largely determined by their chemistries and formulations. This presentation will highlight the key differences and performance advantages of new high performance fluid applied air barriers based on their chemistries.

Translucent Panel Daylighting Systems explores the numerous benefits of daylighting to humans, its impact on energy reduction and common myths associated with daylighting. Upon completion students will understand the the features and benefits of Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) daylighting systems as well as load capabilities and code requirements for such systems.

This is a very popular course on emerging top daylighting technologies and improved solutions, you'll learn about the challenges within current daylight applications as the course focuses on best application practices, utilizing technological advancements with monument/architectural skylights, unit skylights, and tubular daylighting devices. In addition, we discuss the important benefits of essential energy codes and how to use the codes to produce energy efficient daylighting designs within aesthetically pleasing, high quality spaces where people live, work, and play. Note: The required download is a Master Spec for Metal Framed Skylights which provides an in-depth resource for understanding the elements of construction, natural of materials, performance requirements and qualifications of testing for modular skylights.

A course designed to teach the history of synthetic turf, it's 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.

The health, safety and performance of athletes is greatly affected by the playing surface. Standards for the dynamic relationship between a sports floor and athletes demonstrate that sustainable maple hardwood flooring offers exceptional accommodation of forces while enhancing play. This course also discusses key selection considerations used for material specification of a natural wood or synthetic sports and activity floor, and describes a variety of basic subfloor and surface configurations for maple floors. The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) - manufacturers, sport floor contractors, distributors and allied product manufacturers who subscribe to established quality guidelines - is the authoritative source of technical and general information about maple flooring and related maple and synthetic sports flooring systems.

HUFCOR provides architects an interesting guided tour of "Flex Space City" to show how different types of moveable partition systems are being used by different building applications to maximize the usability and productivity of space. Every type of movable partition system available today is explored - from traditional accordion systems, to innovative new vertical stacking partitions, interior and exterior bifold doors and moveable glass partitions. Additional topics include aesthetics, materials and performance capabilities, including acoustics and daylighting.

As a foundation, this course examines several categories of LED technology and the appropriateness of each to various facets of architectural design. Then, the balance of the course is devoted to a discussion of color-changing LED technology and its impact on the comfort and health of building occupants.

(Please note: The Study Guide is a White Paper entitled Humancentric Lighting, and is intended to be part of this course. Please download it upon enrolling.)

Whether Contemporary or Traditionally styled, today's sophisticated kitchens require careful appliance location detailing. While many kitchen designers do not provide the appliances, product knowledge and planning expertise around these important pieces of equipment is highly valued by today's consumer. Therefore, kitchen experts need to be well versed in the details of appliance operation, and be creative when locating them in the plan.

People are suffering from “stuffocation” - having too much stuff. This course explores relationships between appropriate and ample storage, and improved interior design and quality of life for building occupants. You’ll also explore the many features and benefits of manufactured storage systems over custom built-in-place alternatives. Topics include commonly used materials for manufactured storage systems, various types of storage systems, and storage applications for residential and non-residential applications.

This course provides an overview for what is required to create a sanitary water environment for a building. Considerations for specific building spaces - both interior and exterior - are explored, including product selection and placement. Topics include preventing contamination of the public potable water supply due to backflow or backsiphonage; types of available drainage systems that help to ensure the elimination of standing water hazards; and the damage and hazards that can be created by unsanitary water conditions. (Course includes a downloadable PDF study guide.)