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This is your go-to source for free AIA-approved continuing education for architects. Plus, almost all our courses are delivered in streaming HD video. Registration is fast and easy, just click on Login/Register above. Then, you can enroll in any of our courses found in any of our programs with a single click. Our courses meet or exceed NCARB's high standards for state board license renewal. AIA member? Your credit will be reported to AIA for you.

Leveraging Advances in Parametric Design & Digital Fabrication in Architecture

This course will explore the cutting-edge union of design and technology by delving into parametric design and its symbiosis with digital fabrication, and how the vision is best achieved via vertically-integrated, technology-forward product manufacturers. We will also discuss strategies for effective collaboration with these manufacturers throughout the architectural design process.

Learning Objective 1: Students will learn about the use of parametric design in architecture, including its definition, history and current state.

Learning Objective 2: Students will learn about the marriage between parametric design and digital fabrication.

Learning Objective 3: Students will understand why vertical integration is an important operating model for product manufacturers looking to leverage parametric design.

Learning Objective 4: Students will understand how to partner with vertical manufacturers throughout the architectural design process and learn the advantages of this digital collaborative approach.

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Introduction to Exterior and Facade Lighting

Program: The Art and Technology of Lighting

This course will explore the use of exterior lighting to illuminate building facades, landscapes, pathways, plazas, and points of interest, like statues. Popular techniques (moonlighting, wall washing, grazing, etc.) will be defined and the performance of various lighting fixtures will be compared to help designers identify the fixtures best-suited for particular applications. Important considerations including: energy codes, dark sky criteria, and occupant safety will be addressed. The renovation of the exterior lighting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, designed by Ardra Zinkon, will be profiled.

HSW Justification:
Exterior lighting can facilitate the enjoyment of an outdoor space and enhance the feeling of safety and security people experience in these areas, but the design of exterior lighting systems must accomplish more than bathing an area in illumination indiscriminately. Energy codes limit the amount of energy that the lighting system can consume and define lighting controls requirements to minimize energy waste. In addition, the Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO), developed by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), provides guidance on ways to reduce light pollution and glare that can be created by outdoor lighting. This course will provide designers with tips on how to create exterior lighting solutions that satisfy energy codes and dark sky criteria, while providing ample illumination to create beautiful and inviting outdoor spaces.

Learning Objective 1:
Create exterior lighting designs that provide the recommended levels of illumination for highlighting facades, supporting wayfinding, and accenting features of the outdoor space, while satisfying code-mandated energy use and controls requirements as well as dark sky criteria.

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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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Sustainable Resiliency with Garden Roofs

Designing with green roofs affords design professionals opportunities to plan projects with exciting new elements, added value, and significant, tangible benefits, thereby enhancing the built environment with newly-created landscapes. This course examines green roof systems, including the types, benefits, components, and related standards. It also reviews a number of installations that demonstrate these principles.

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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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Improve Occupant Wellness and Productivity with Solar Shading Fabrics

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

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Pushing the Boundaries of Form and Function

As architects and clients alike demand the creation of what’s next, design teams rely on new product systems and solutions to help them push the boundaries of form and function. This article profiles a few solutions that enable architects to create distinct building envelopes that don’t sacrifice on the efficient performance or sustainable design considerations that also occupy prominent spots on almost every client’s wish list.

HSW Justification:
This article explores solutions that enable architects to deliver a desired aesthetic that also performs efficiently and offers sustainable design benefits. For example, thermal barriers in the aluminum framing that hold the glazing in place allows architects to complete historic renovation projects that exceed thermal performance targets, without compromising the integrity of the historical aesthetic. Composite metal panel systems that support very unique applications and creative demands from design teams can also offer top-tier performance in terms of fire-, water-, and impact-resistance. Extruded aluminum trim beautifully meshes different types of exterior cladding, while helping the envelope to better manage moisture.

Learning Objective 1:
Explain how incorporating thermal barriers into the aluminum framing in the fenestration of the Crosstown Concourse helped the project become the world’s largest LEED Platinum historic rehabilitation project, while maintaining the integrity of its historic aesthetic.

Learning Objective 2:
Specify a composite metal panel system that offers the resistance to fire, water, and impact best-suited to the needs of a particular project.

Learning Objective 3:
List the aesthetic and sustainability-related benefits of specifying extruded aluminum trim on an exterior cladding.

Learning Objective 4:
Describe how the different finishes of precast concrete used in the façade of the Ale Asylum were reverse engineered to perfectly match the concept originally pitched and accepted by the city.

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Egress Path Lighting & Emergency Lights ISO 502

This course is designed to introduce the architect to emergency lights. These lights are meant to be selected and installed according to specific standards established by building codes. Additionally, once installed, these systems must be tested to assure their efficacy in case of an emergency. How to select and specify the appropriate markers and the technological solutions available, as well as testing methods, will all be covered in this course.

HSW Justification:
The selection and implementation of a proper emergency lighting program is essential to the life safety of a building's occupants.

Learning Objective 1:
The student will understand egress signage obligations as imposed through building codes and standards.

Learning Objective 2:
The student will further understand the various technologies available to address those signage codes and standards.

Learning Objective 3:
The student will learn what the requirements are to conduct on-going testing of egress systems after installation.

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New Principles in Residential Design Using Opening Glass Walls

This course aims to familiarize you with the terminology, capabilities, and applications of operable glass walls in both interior and exterior residential settings. You will learn how operable glass walls can enhance the health, safety, and welfare of residents. Additionally, we will share ideas that you can incorporate into your current projects.

 

Learning Objective 1: Students will be able to explain the welfare aspect of design and product selection that enable equitable access to all, can elevate the human experience with daylight and outdoor access, and benefit the environment through sustainable building design.

Learning Objective 2: Students will be able to assess the safety aspects of incorporating product selections that protect buildings and people from harm and damage, particularly considering unexpected violence or vandalism.

Learning Objective 3: Students will be able to identify and recognize the significance of ongoing health concerns related to residential design and product selection.

Learning Objective 4: Students will be able to determine ways to incorporate the design principles as presented in case study examples into single family building projects.

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ISO-1002: Inverters

Inverters are a modern, simple way to achieve an emergency lighting solution while minimizing maintenance costs and utilizing existing architectural fixtures for emergency purposes. This course will give the student the skills they require to design and specify inverter-based emergency lighting systems.

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