This course will explain the evolution of fenestration specification strategies and will delve into new research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs and the Department of Energy's Attachment Energy Rating Council - and how it will change the way that fenestration is specified.

The Bullitt Center, a six-story heavy timber building, recently competed in Seattle, is predicted to be the world’s most energy efficient commercial building. It has been designed to last 250 years and to achieve the highest benchmark of building sustainability—Living Building Challenge™ (LBC) certification. A performance-based certification program, the LBC requires buildings to be evaluated after one year of occupancy prior to certification, against criteria that include 100% of energy demands met with on-site renewable energy generation and 100% of water needs met by on-site rainwater collection. In this presentation, Project Architect Brian Court will give a short overview of the LBC, discuss the design strategies for the Bullitt Center, and highlight structural and environmental virtues of the heavy timber structural system such as renewability, contribution to energy efficiency, and light carbon footprint.

Designing commercial buildings requires that high performance becomes married with great aesthetics. Increasingly, both must be done while containing the material, labor, and installation costs. One area that has received attention in all of these regards is exterior cladding. While many different choices abound with varying degrees of weight, thickness, and ease of installation one product has emerged as a very appealing solution in many cases. Architectural Wall Panels made from fiber cement have a proven history of allowing architects to create building exteriors that are innovative, affordable, sustainable, and able to create a variety of aesthetic design appearances.

The Aspen Art Museum, designed by architect Shiguru Ban, includes a long-span three-dimensional wood space-frame rook.
 

Ban’s charge was to create a wood space frame with spans of more than 50 feet and cantilevers of 14 feet, in a structural depth of 3 feet. The space frae was to have two planes of intersecting diagonal webs of curved meters that undulated up and down to touch the planes of the top and bottom horns with no visible connectors.
 

This case study presentation will describe the design and construction of the wood structure, including paths explored but not chosen for the final design.

The program will discuss how architects and designers can get a better understanding of the market today in regards to developing a strategic plan. Attendees will ascertain a clearer perception on how to respond to market challenges based on the overall business strategies developed.

Potable Water Safety Through Backflow Prevention, presented by Zurn, provides a ground level understanding of how we can protect the potable water supply from contamination and pollution due to backflow. Backflow prevention measures and cross-connection controls are explored as methods to ensure clean and healthy potable water supplies. (Course includes a downloadable PDF study guide.)

(Please note: The Study Guide is a technical paper offering CDC recommendations on Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities with specific interest in (P.9) "Additional Engineering Measures as Indicated by Epidemiologic Investigation for Controlling Waterborne, Healthcare-Associated Legionnaires Disease" and is supplemental to this course. It provides valuable insight to those who specify water features in Healthcare facilities. Please download upon enrolling.)

This course will introduce you to the concept of incorporating indoor water features in a variety of architectural applications. After reviewing the system components and various types of water features, you'll find out what design considerations factor into a successful installation. Then we'll take a closer look at two water feature applications so you can appreciate the benefits of partnering with a specialty contractor.

Innovative Water Conservation Fixture Systems, presented by Zurn, explores critical issues related to water usage and the need for water conservation awareness and implementation. Through this course, students are provided strategies for implementing effective water conservation initiatives and are introduced to a multitude of innovative water conserving fixture systems that consume far less water than standards currently demand, without sacrificing performance or comfort. Additionally, industry performance tests are reviewed, water consumption calculators are demonstrated and water efficiency as it relates to LEED credits is defined.

(Please note: The Study Guide is a research paper produced by the White House detailing innovative Water Conservation efforts and resources across the country. It is intended to supplement this course. Please download upon enrolling.)

Presented by the timber specialists responsible for such iconic structures as the Richmond Olympic Oval, this presentation explores the aesthetic potential and efficiency of nail laminated timber systems, while touching on relevant engineering, manufacturing and erection techniques used in other timber projects.The architectural and environmental success of The Bullitt Center in Seattle has made heavy timber office buildings a topic of great interest within the design community. Now, with ground broken on a new 7-story example in Minneapolis, cost-effectiveness can be added to the potential benefits achieved with a mass timber structural solution. Examples demonstrate opportunities for prefabrication and sophisticated erection techniques, while emphasizing the importance of efficient structural engineering, product choice, connections and fasteners to creating economical timber structures.

This course identifies and describes three available roof drain systems including siphonic drain systems. Siphonic theory is explored to better illustrate how siphonic roof drains uniquely operate and the many benefits siphonic drainage systems provide, including those directly related to sustainability. Participants also learn how to specify a siphonic roof drain system and are introduced to important rules for successful siphonic drain system design. (Course includes a downloadable PDF study guide.)