Interested In Becoming a Course Provider?
New Course Providers are required to submit the following completed documents for review:
Please download the appropriate form(s) for completion and send to EPP@aanb.org
Questions?
ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR
The building sector is responsible for the majority of carbon emissions in urban centers. As governments enact new policies on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050, the building industry is shifting to green technologies and renewable energy resources. This course examines how geothermal exchange systems use the Earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool buildings without emitting carbon. Their contribution to energy performance credits in the LEED® v4 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating systems is reviewed, as are installation options, the design and construction process, the energy-as-a-service model, and the numerous benefits of geothermal exchange systems in a variety of applications.
ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR
Daylight is an essential part of our health and well-being, but it needs management. Shading strives to maximize daylight without compromising building occupant comfort and well-being. This course explores the role daylight has within the built environment and its impact on occupants and energy usage, with a focus on how to better specify shadecloth based on factors such as project type, solar optical properties, shadecloth composition, and environmental factors.
Glass block adds light and beauty to exterior and interior projects through a wide array of patterns, sizes, and colors. This course reviews these options as well as the energy efficiency and fire ratings of glass block, installation methods, sustainable benefits, and prefabricated options for projects demanding durability, security, and resistance to extreme weather. The course concludes with case studies that demonstrate the unlimited design possibilities of this versatile product.
The term glass doors can be a good catchall for a category that plays a significant role in commercial office applications. From frameless glass doors to simple entry doors with narrow, medium, or wide stiles to demountable glass wall systems, selecting the correct hardware can be challenging and impacts ADA compliance and occupant safety and comfort. This course explores the available styles, compares locally manufactured hardware to imported sets, and discusses selection considerations and specification criteria.
Throughout history, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure that the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with efficiency in the application that is expected in today's world of design. This course covers the creation of GFRC, its components, fabrication, applications, and design capabilities. It compares GFRC to other types of architectural concrete and presents GFRC performance and sustainable design advantages.
ONGOING - FREE - 1.25 HRS
With a focus on hybrid green roof systems, this course provides an overview of green roofs, including system options and design and specification considerations such as plant selection, irrigation, mitigation of wind pressure and fire risk, sloped applications, and warranty options.
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. As well, it provides a discussion on how green roofs mitigate urban heat island effect and reduce stormwater runoff.
ONGOING - 1 HOUR - FREE
Handcrafted ceramic and concrete tile and pavers pair design versatility with exceptional performance in exterior applications. Myriad shapes, colors, and finishes can be combined to create atmospheres from rustic to modern to eclectic. Presented here is an overview of handcrafted ceramic and concrete tile and pavers, their composition, suitable applications, aesthetic possibilities, performance and sustainability attributes, installation methods and applicable standards, and long-term performance considerations.
DISTANCE LEARNING
Selecting flooring is an important decision, but equal emphasis should be placed on proper surface preparation to avoid costly flooring failures. This course reviews best practices for a typical hardwood flooring installation and discusses the innovative options that consolidate products and steps, saving time and money while enhancing certain performance characteristics.
As we become more aware of the levels of toxins in our environment, we are realizing that the quality of air inside our homes is just as important as the quality of air outside our homes. This course outlines why indoor air quality is so important to our health and describes how to improve indoor air quality by using a balanced ventilation system.
Adding small pockets of luxury to a home has become commonplace in spaces like the kitchen and bathroom. Personal saunas are a natural extension to this way of thinking, supporting an owner’s health and relaxation. This course looks at the wide variety of heat bathing options: sauna, infrared, and steam, with a focus on how to both select a product and implement heat bathing in residential and commercial projects.
In the last couple of decades, houses have become progressively more airtight due to energy efficiency and cost concerns. While air infiltration and exfiltration rates have been significantly reduced, the need for an efficient ventilation system has become extremely important. This course evaluates different types of mechanical ventilation systems and discusses why heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems are characterized by a high level of energy efficiency and as an effective means for improving indoor air quality.
ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR
Heated towel racks not only warm and dry damp towels, but also add a sense of comfort and luxury. This course explores heated towel racks and includes discussions on: the functions, benefits, and applications of heated towel racks; centrally heated, electric, and hydronic heating systems; materials and finishes; installation and care; and, design and accessory options.
Architects and other design professionals have a critical role to play in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions through building design and product selection. The urgent need to reduce both operational and embodied carbon means that building designers must be familiar with transparency documents that facilitate low-carbon product selection. In this course, we review the types of carbon of concern, transparency documents that provide critical information, and tools for sourcing embodied carbon information. We also look at the contribution of insulated metal panels to both low embodied and low operational carbon buildings.
ONGOING - FREE - 1.5 HOURS
Insulating concrete form (ICF) products use a cost-effective and robust structural material option (reinforced concrete) to turn a building envelope into a high-performing thermal, moisture, and air enclosure with disaster resistance and built-in compliance with energy code requirements. As a result of ICF performance, building owners can complete a whole structure with ICFs and reinforced concrete, including intermediate suspended floors, rooftops, and multistory designs. This courses examines the advancements in ICF technology and discusses the potential contribution of ICFs to supporting improved sustainability and resilience.