Lunch & Learn

Modern design trends are favoring larger openings, and while this blank canvas offers the architect a wide range of options, it can also pose a challenge. Because of the almost unlimited variations of different types, styles, and available options for large doors, it is often more important that the architect understands how to make the selection process, rather than which specific door to choose. The process for specifying should include client aesthetic expectations, environmental conditions, building performance & durability concerns. 

• Understand the unique design elements of an indoor/outdoor living space & modern trends in large doors 
• Describe what to consider when balancing the client needs with environmental conditions, building performance & durability concerns 
• List the different door types & styles available for transition points between indoor & outdoor areas 
• Discuss the best process for specifying large doors in commercial & residential projects

Sustainability is a diverse and ever-changing subject, and one that is growing in importance. One key to making progress on the sustainability of our building infrastructure is to consider all materials and products. This presentation addresses the role of windows in sustainable design, covers how buildings use energy and how efficient windows properly integrated in the design can improve building performance and indoor environmental quality. We take a holistic approach to sustainability beyond the end product and look at factors such as lifecycle impacts of manufacturing and embodied carbon. We explore occupant wellbeing in terms of indoor air quality, biophilia etc. And understand how windows contribute to some of the top green building programs such as LEED, WELL, Net Zero to name a few. 

• Evaluating window performance based on a number of factors 
• Comparing & evaluating the importance of material sourcing & manufacturing practices 
• Describe the performance attributes of each window material 
• Considering occupant wellbeing in window selection 
• Understanding the importance of window contributions in green building programs

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and other forces are changing the face of architecture, including a gravitation toward more contemporary styles and solutions. Many of the related architectural elements — including windows and doors — are rooted in principles introduced by modernists nearly a century ago. This course will closely examine the connection between current events and fenestration design, the enduring influence of modern architecture, design trends and influences in contemporary architecture, and fenestration options for contemporary window and door solutions. 

• How to design & manage building projects considering current events & how this may affect fenestration design moving forward 
• Examine the evolution of modern architecture, architects who influenced the style & how fenestration played a major role in the movement, which continues today 
• Explore design trends in contemporary architecture & current influences on the style 
• Describe fenestration options for contemporary window & door solutions, as well as performance issues that must be considered when designing with large glass 

This course will examine the ways in which the use of exotic wood in decking materials contributes to deforestation. It will also examine how some certifying bodies fall short of protecting tropical rainforests and fail to prevent illegally harvested wood from entering the United States. Finally, the course will outline the evolution of synthetic decking materials, compare them to exotic wood, and discuss the design and environmental advantages of specifying them.

Designing a structure that is resilient requires a strong understanding of material and building science. This course discusses the composition, performance, and application of engineered polymer siding and trim and capped polymer cladding to illustrate the benefits to home and building owners when construction materials are selected with resilience and sustainability in mind. The course will also examine the relationship between a building’s resilience and the safety of the occupants as well as material selection considerations to ensure a structure maintains livable conditions in the event of a destructive weather event.

This course encourages participants to think outside the box and consider using polymer cladding as a material to create aesthetic, enduring, and moisture resistant rainscreens that will better protect buildings and its occupants. We will discuss other more commonly used products and the issues faced with each. We will also consider life cycle costs of various cladding options, including polymer. Finally, participants will leave with a thorough understanding of how to install polymer extrusions as cladding. We will explore doing so on different substrates, detailing around openings, transitions between differing cladding materials and how to handle joints between cladding components with the goal of using polymer as a resource to promote health, safety, and welfare of both people and the environment.

With the increased focus on how to limit the spread of germs, many facility managers are considering their options for touchless operation of doors. This class will cover code requirements related to automatic operators and contactless access control, as well as accessibility considerations for new hands-free door pull designs. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the class. Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

• identify the appropriate codes & standards that apply to various types of hands-free hardware & automatic operators
• list the function of the different touchless solutions, including mechanical hardware, electrified hardware & automatic operators
• discuss how the requirements for fire door assemblies may impact retrofit solutions
  state the requirements of BHMA A156.19 and A156.10 that apply to doors with automatic operators

This course focuses on accessibility aspects that affect getting in the building and moving around the building as they pertain to doors and door hardware. We will cover hardware options that enable the opening to meet clear width & maneuvering clearances, threshold and latch requirements, and opening force and closing speed requirements. Upon successful completion of this course participants should be able to:

• locate the requirements for accessible openings according to the ADA
• state opening dimensions, clear width & maneuvering clearances of accessible openings according to the ADA
• describe ADA latch requirement & list opening force & closing speeds for auto operated doors
• specify hardware that will meet accessibility requirements & the owners needs

When specifying hardware, codes play a large part in your choices. In this course, we will cover how to  determine which code you need to reference when designing an opening and discuss opening needs for passing fire door inspections. We will also cover electrified hardware requirements and the new requirements for panic hardware, luminous egress path markings and the ADA. Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

• describe the basics of code development & how to determine which code to reference
• discuss fire door inspection & smoke gasketing code requirements
• appropriately specify electrified hardware including delayed egress locks, electromagnetic locks & stairwell reentry according to code requirements
• list requirements for panic hardware, luminous egress path markings & the ADA

This course will explore residential window options for properties in & outside historic districts. The standards & guidelines from the Secretary of Interior will be introduced & reviewed for their influence on residential projects. A list of the various aspects of window replacement homeowners & architects need to balance will be considered & reviewed. Case studies will be shared to demonstrate how factors of rehabilitation & window replacement apply to residential historic projects.

Windows and doors are the gateways to bring nature into the home with light, views, ventilation, access to nature and more. This session will demonstrate how applying the goals of biophilic design to windows and doors will help you cultivate well-being within the build environment for your residential clients and their families.

Learn about emerging modern fenestration options, technology, and performance. This course will provide a detailed analysis of existing and upcoming modern fenestration options.

Upon completion of this course, architect and participants will understand:

• the different types and properties of cellular PVC in the building/construction industry
• some best design practices
• where cellular PVC can be used and common products and applications
• some of the “Green” attributes of PVC

Upon completion of this course, architects and participants will understand:

• the composition of cellular PVC trim, including what ingredients affect weatherability & durability
• the process of component blending (micro ingredients) to form a cellular PVC trim compound
• how to extrude cellular PVC “free-foam” sheet & how the process differs from the “celuka” process
• methods for creating sheets & boards in smooth & textured finishes
• techniques for fabricating “free-foam” cellular PVC sheet into beadboard, mouldings, pocketed trims, pocketed fascia & frieze boards, vented soffit, cornerboards, beaded sheet & column wraps
• installation best practices as they apply to soffit systems, beadboard, window surrounds, skirtboard, cornerboards, column wraps & accessories
• in-plant recycling & energy conservation opportunities, including what steps some plastic manufacturers have taken to recycle as much as 99% of all processed waste & how extrusion lines can be used to reduce heat production requirements, eliminating the use of natural gas

A comprehensive, educational program to communicate how daylight and fresh air transmitted through skylights can contribute to an ideal indoor climate while accentuating modern design aesthetics. This program demonstrates that emerging daylight technologies, supported by top design trend research, emphasize energy efficiency in residential spaces to create healthier, more comfortable living conditions.

This course covers the influencing factors impacting daylighting in commercial buildings and emerging, innovative technologies. Attendees will understand the importance of improving the natural lighting environments where people learn, work and socialize.

It’s a fact – more than 90% of our time is spent indoors, disconnected from the natural environment. We need to redefine the way we live and thrive, day to day. The advent of artificial lighting and digital technology has further altered our life balance, resulting in minimal exposure to the outside, daylight, and fresh air. To regain our natural balance, design in the built environment must be committed to helping bring natural ventilation and abundant daylight to the forefront. The innovative skylights of today create superior daylighting solutions that offer more features and functionalities. Advances in skylight technology and automation can transform any commercial space into a healthier, happier place to learn, work, and recover.

This course provides an overview of vinyl siding products and compares to other traditional methods of exterior cladding. Further discussion will provide analysis of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. To conclude the course will describe design & installation features. Learning Objectives:

• Describe the recent history of residential siding in terms of popular materials used
• Describe five key steps along with some of the important quality considerations used in the process of manufacturing vinyl siding as an environmentally sustainable product
• Describe how vinyl siding styles are used as architectural elements
• Describe four important design considerations pertinent to vinyl siding projects
• Review how Insulated vinyl siding can improve energy efficiency of buildings & contributes to LEED EA rating
• Describe key environmental benefits of selecting vinyl siding as a contribution to sustainable design
• Discuss some of the considerations that are pertinent to the installation of vinyl siding

This course gives a basic overview of structural engineered wood products and their applications in residential buildings. It points out some unique advantages of engineered lumber products and gives guidelines for proper installation. Participants come away with a strong fundamental understanding of when and how to use engineered lumber.

If you’ve struggled with picking the right floor system for a discriminating buyer, this course is for you. Recognize that typical span charts and conventional static deflection criteria don’t always prevent performance issues. We will discuss common floor system issues. We will also explore field problems and possible solutions.

Participants learn what code says about designing walls over 10 feet. We will also define the differences between building walls full height (Balloon framing) and stacking walls (Platform Framing) to get a tall wall. We will see how windows and finishes play into the equation, and what types of framing details accomplish the structural and finish needs.