PAUL SPITE

CEU COURSES

Moving Toward Net Zero Building(5 hrs) (38,049 words) (A,E.C)

According to one source, sustainability can be described as the act of fulfilling present requirements, without jeopardizing the capability of future generations to satisfy their own needs, within the environment they will inherit. On the other hand, the term “net zero” signifies attaining an equilibrium between the emissions of carbon-based substances generated, and the removal or compensation for an equal proportion of carbon from the atmosphere. The pursuit of these two goals concurrently, will influence decisions made during project design and utilization, ultimately leading to the least possible damage inflicted by our projects upon our ecosystem. Concepts explored in what follows are intended to offer tools to attain to these objectives.

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Solutions for Sustainability (2 hrs) (14,818 words) (A,E.C)

Sustainability is defined by one source as “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.” It is described elsewhere as “meeting current needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, in the environment we will leave them.” To every extent possible, design choices made on projects should result in the least harm possible being done to our environment, to be inherited by our descendants. Whether architects really have a “duty” to design “sustainably” as a matter of ethics, is a question needing a bit more discussion. Trying to do so is unquestionably, a good idea.

Setting buzzwords, special interest groups and political agendas aside, we will examine a few key principles of what can instead be called, “environmentally responsible” design. Many steps that can be taken during design and after structures are complete, to reduce energy use and resources consumed. These include passive steps like building envelopes with thermally superior components. In the design phase, buildings can be positioned on site to strategically allow or preclude solar gain, admit or deny natural ventilation, and maximize or minimize shade needed in different seasons. After everything has been done to passively minimize energy use, active technologies can recapture energy or generate power for internal use or addition to the grid.

Concepts examined here should provide a few more tools to design sustainably.

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Less Power To You – Designing for Energy Efficiency – (2 hrs) (20,318 words) (A,E.C)

This course introduces the principles and practices of energy conservation in building design and operation and covers a broad range of design concepts and strategies that can be employed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, including passive site and building design, energy audits, designing for LEED certification, recycling buildings, and creating replacement power. Students will also learn about energy-efficient building envelopes, components, and systems, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (or HVAC), lighting, and renewable energy technologies.

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Consuming Less Power by Design – (3 hrs) (20,446 words) (A,E.C)

There are numerous measures that can be implemented during the initial design process and after construction, to decrease energy consumption. Regardless of underlying motivations, this course discusses choices and techniques to protect and preserve energy. Such actions invariably lead to better safeguarding of our precious natural resources.

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Powered Systems – (2 hrs) (14,802 words) (A,C)

In this course, we undertake an overall examination of building systems closely associated with power usage. The first will be the lighting used in the building, its type, size, distribution and lamp usage. The second will be alarm systems used to protect the building and its occupants. The third will be the electric system being brought into the building, to serve the purposes for which the building is being constructed.

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Simplifying the ADA (5 hrs) (34,522 words) (A,E.C)

In September of 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice published the “2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design,” a comprehensive set of standards on designing buildings to facilitate their use by the handicapped. This course will specifically examine regulations covering; the applicability of these guidelines, parking requirements for facilities, accessible routes from parking to facility entrance, entries and doors suitable for use by the disabled, accessible pathways through buildings, specific requirements for typical spaces, making equipment, appliances, and hardware more usable for the disabled, communication features to accommodate the disabled, surface finishes that make the use of space safer and recreational facilities that provide equal access to enjoyable pursuits.

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ADA Paths – Part 1 – No One Left Behind – (2 hrs) (12,108 words) (A,E.C)

When the “2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design” was published, its two parts dealt with accessibility laws for facilities built with public funds, and guidelines for public buildings built by private entities. Since then, numerous building codes have been created, based on them. This first part of our course is an overview of the first one third of the original guidelines and their intent. It begins with the creation of the standards and their applicability as regulations, then focuses on additional standards addressing accessible parking facilities and accessible building entryways. It covers making it possible for the disabled to get parked and get inside our structures.

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ADA Paths – Part 2 – Practical Design Requirements – (3 hrs) (15,290 words) (A,E.C)

Since the “2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design” was published, numerous building codes have been created, based on them. This second portion of the course focuses on simplifying the central third of the standards, which address accessible routes and pathways through facilities, definitive requirements for specific spaces typically found inside facilities and equipment and hardware especially designed for, or easier to use by the handicapped. In short, the guidelines enabling the disabled to move through a building and use the equipment and hardware found inside.

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ADA Paths – Part 3 – Communication and Recreation – (2 hrs) (11,392 words) (A,E.C)

Since the “2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design” was published, numerous building codes have been created, based on them. This third portion of the course focuses on the latter parts of the standards addressing; communication features for the disabled, consideration of finishes to use with mobility aids and recreational facilities to provide continued enjoyment by the handicapped.

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Practical Design Responses to the ADA – (3 hrs) (16,869 words) (A,E)

Ever since the “2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design” were published, building codes have been introduced that draw inspiration from, or directly incorporate, these standards. Despite this, there remains uncertainty about the precise legal obligations that must be met to satisfy such codes. The standards are divided into nine categories, based on the process of accessing and using facilities. In this class, our focus is on clarifying the key aspects of the standards related to accessible routes and pathways, specific requirements for spaces within facilities, and specially designed equipment and hardware for people with disabilities.

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2023 Advanced Building Code, 8th Edition – Accessibility – (2 hrs) (14,887 words) (A,E,C)

Since its inception, this code has included by reference, the architectural accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and was since upgraded to be in compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards and the Federal ADA Rules. But as with any set of guidelines, as real life circumstances and questions arise, portions are tweaked and content is added to answer or address situations that arose. This course will address select changes that have been incorporated along the way, which have resulted in the most current publication of the accessibility code. Where opportunity exists for confusion, portions of the original ADA standards will be included. Commentary has also been added to help clarify why many changes were most likely implemented, to better accomplish the task of making buildings accessible for the citizens of Florida.

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Aging  in Place – Eliminating Traps – (4 hrs) (20,821 words) (A,E.C)

In millions of homes across our country, existing residences are slowly but surely becoming prisons for their occupants. This happens as the aging process inevitably removes our ability to successfully navigate stairs and perform daily tasks required to live and survive independent.

Societal options exist to move from private residences into congregate living facilities, where oversight and care are offered at various levels for those facing challenges. But few are interested in thus surrendering their independence. We prefer to just age-in-place. 

It is possible to remain at home as physical and / or mental deterioration makes doing so more challenging. Given the amount of research that preceded establishing design standards to accommodate the handicapped, new structures can be designed which are far more user friendly to the elderly. Changes to existing homes can also be made in incremental steps as needs arise, just not as efficiently as doing so from scratch.

The knowledge and technology to enable our elders to stay at home are well established. All that is lacking are finances to do so, the time to do so, the will to do so and wide-spread dissemination of knowledge on how to do so.

The last of those issues is addressed in this work.

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Remodeling – Aging In Place – (2 hrs) C)

Same as above, only abbreviated to produce a shorter version

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Designing Worship Facilities – Codes and Guidelines – (5 hrs) (29,161 words) (A,E)

Many decisions are made during the design of a facility to be used for worship. Some are theological, but most are mundane. These will come from inside and outside of the client group. Unless societal guidelines, like codes, zoning restrictions and existing easements are honored, regulatory agencies can make sure the building process doesn’t begin. Lending agencies will impose restrictions that must be honored. Site conditions will result in sometimes inflexible conditions on how the land may be used. The needs of the building community must be addressed. Finally, every member of the religious group called the client will be bringing their own ideas to the table regarding the desired end result. This course addresses the many, sometimes seemingly endless parameters and decisions to be addressed, before and during the design of a worship facility.

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Designing Worship Facilities – Codices and God Lines – (5 hrs) (27,029 words) (A,E)

Besides a multitude of mundane decisions, considerations for designing a worship facility also deal with how to approach God. These are based on the specific way or ways in which the users of the building intend to interact with their God, how they believe salvation or righteousness is achieved and how they worship. This course examines such beliefs from major worldwide religions. Accommodating them can involve order and relationship of specific spaces within the structure, and possibly even the overall building form. Decisions may be as small as designing spaces so as to accommodate specific furniture and functions. Designers cannot be expected to be knowledgeable about such things, without being part of such a culture, but they can prepare as well as possible beforehand. Those who strongly desire not to offend clients from other cultures can learn as much as possible regarding client needs, before attempting to address them through design of a worship facility.

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Sound Advice for Acoustics – (4 hrs) (29, 838 words) (A,E.C)

Acoustic design is best addressed in an incremental fashion. This course was written to do just that. Fundamentals are first covered, including basic principles regarding sound, how its energy moves through matter, how its path and intensity can be altered, and how success in the manipulation of sound is measured. Known design strategies are discussed for controlling sound moving; from exterior to interior spaces, from interior spaces to adjacent spaces, within interior spaces, through structural components, and through building systems. Design considerations are outlined for numerous common building functions. Finally, acoustic codes and guidelines in existence now, are listed for consideration.

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Acoustic Design for Buildings – (2 hrs) (12,363 words) (A,E.C)

The same description as above, just simplified to be able to offer the content in fewer hours.

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Too Hard to Ignore – Using Concrete – (2 hrs) (12,225 words) (A,E,C)

The advantages of using concrete as a construction material outweigh the drawback of its weight. It is one of few building materials that can still be manufactured right on a building site if desired. It does not rot. It does not burn. It is very economical to use. In some form or another, it can be used as almost every type of building component.

One advantage of using a material with a long history, is that we have experimented for a long time with its components and ways to utilize it. We have developed many variations on its mixes. We know what works and what does not, when it comes to getting the product in place. We are pretty sure what it can accomplish on its own, and what more it can do when we judiciously add additional elements to enhance its properties and characteristics.

We examine some of that accumulated knowledge here, to learn ways to better use this historic material.

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Danger in the Damp – Dealing with Mold – (3-4 hrs) (19,417 words) (A,E.C)

Despite our best efforts to keep it out, water has found its way inside the building. This course examines the question of what to do next, since abandoning the building to its eventual collapse is not usually an option. The course briefly examines design and construction methods of systems designed to withstand water penetration.

An understanding of these systems gives us a starting point in finding sources of intrusion, and a starting point for how to best repair them and prevent further damage. Sealing a failed envelope is the first step in remediation. Otherwise, the appearance of mold will likely be the next step in rendering our damaged buildings uninhabitable. Once the source of the problem has been addressed, steps can be taken to reclaim full use of the built environment. Assessment of moisture damage must be done next to best determine and prioritize steps toward repair or replacement of damaged components. Immediate and critical remedies are examined, as well as those which can be addressed after a couple days have passed. Lastly, any resulting mold growth must be eliminated, and steps taken to prevent its recurrence.

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Moisture Control – (1 hr) – (A.E.C)

Despite our best efforts to keep it out, water will always seek ways inside our buildings. If it makes it inside, and remains, mold growth and material deterioration will likely follow. 

This course examines design and construction methods to withstand water penetration. An understanding of these systems gives us a starting point in finding sources of intrusion, and a starting point for how to best repair them and prevent further damage. Sealing a failed envelope is the first step in remediation. Otherwise, the appearance of mold may render our damaged buildings uninhabitable. Only after the source of the problem has been addressed, can the full use of the built environment be reclaimed.

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Getting Decked – And Choosing How That Happens – (2-3 hrs) (17,044 words) (A,E.C)

Despite our need for shelter from elements that can kill us, we have always sought opportunity to get back into or close to nature. We do prefer to do so on our terms, rather than whatever climate and circumstances nature decides to offer when we feel that need. A large part of our effort to reunite with nature has revolved around creating outdoor spaces adjoining our houses. There, we can get outside to enjoy favorable climate conditions, at whatever time we choose.

These outdoor spaces go by many names and have manifested as lanais, porches, screened enclosures, patios, etc. The most common outdoor spaces, constructed and attached to homes in western cultures, are outdoor decks, balconies and patios. For the purposes of this 2-hour course, we will explore options available to build decks and balconies, structures that are usually supported at some point above grade.

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Keeping Out the Wetter – Designing to Exclude Water – (4 hrs) (24,387 words) (A,E.C) FL Approval Number: 9879232

Between our long experience and advanced resources, we possess the ability to mitigate and counter the detrimental effects of water on our buildings. We can incorporate defensive measures right from the initial design phase, carry those through construction, and maintain proactive upkeep thereafter. However, the fight against water damage but begin at the inception of the architectural planning process.

The subject matter for this course revolves around principles and methods of dealing with moisture resistance in a methodical manner, addressing one building system at a time. Initially, we delve into the fundamentals, which encompass the underlying principles of water behavior and the various pathways it utilizes when it infiltrates buildings. A comprehensive understanding of how destruction initiates and intensifies serves as the driving force behind established design principles and material choices intended to halt that undesirable migration. Finally, we delve into practical solutions, examining them in great detail.

A discussion revolving around this subject is important. The cost, both on the facilities we build and the people dwelling within, is too high to permit unhindered water access into our occupied areas.

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Speaking of Older Buildings – (3 hrs) (15,561 words) (A,E.C)

When the question of what to do with older buildings arises, it usually resolves itself to choices of reusing them as is, repairing them, restoring them, repurposing them or replacing them. Any facility, free of structural defects and doing a reasonably good job of keeping water out, represents a tangible asset. The trick to maximizing the value of existing structures, especially in areas where changing economic factors have also resulted in changing market demands, is to approach their reuse from a different point of view. The judicious employment of renovation funds should not be based on restoring them to a previous use, but making them suitable for other markets in which the existing bones might enable a whole new purpose. This course examines parameters involved in such decisions. It also It also briefly examines a potential business opportunity in a collaboration between architects and commercial real estate agents.

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Tips to Be More Efficient on the Job Site – (1 hr) (6,853 words) (C)

Despite differences found in many projects, a few things remain constant on construction jobsites. One is that time will always equate to money and most probably, the longer a job takes to finish, the less profit will be realized. A second constant is that the more difficulties arise in completing a task, the more frustration will grow and careless mistakes will be made.

This course is simply an answer to the issues presented above. The ideas presented herein represent an accumulation of ways to reduce the time spent in doing specific tasks, and ways to simplify getting them done. They are accumulated wisdom from many other workers who have sought and found ways to make their time more efficient. These are tips, tricks and rules of thumb, discovered by others along their pathway to success.

They are passed along here, so we wouldn’t have to travel the same roads, to discover them for ourselves.

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Sustainability Through Adaptive Reuse   (1 hr) (7,257 words) (A,E.C)

When considering how to best utilize aging structures, various options are typically considered, involving reusing, repairing, restoring, repurposing, or replacing them. In this course, we will offer a set of criteria that can be used in assessing the most advantageous options for building reuse. These will help ascertain which course of action provides the best value to the owner, buyer, and the local community where the structure is situated. Any reuse of older buildings is better for all parties involved, than not reusing them at all.

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Initial Project Decisions (2 hrs) (13,619 words) (A,E.C)

Making the correct choices at the beginning, lays the foundation for a excellent project. Properly starting requires adherence to design regulations set forth by regulatory bodies. Establishing a strong building foundation is essential to ensure the weight of the structure is properly supported, minimizing the risk of structural failure. Understanding the type, stability and bearing capacity of the soil is key in this process, as well as evaluating the weight of the building. Acquiring and effectively applying such knowledge will pave the way for the subsequent stages.

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A Firm Foundation – (2 hrs) (15,280 words) (A,E.C) Approval Number: 9879170

Designing foundations involves several important aspects. A thorough examination is conducted to understand how water can potentially harm the structure. Specific foundation options are carefully chosen, taking various factors into consideration. Framing components responsible for supporting the floor are determined. Strategies are put in place to effectively manage vapor drive. Insulation materials are selected to create a barrier against different climates because the subflooring acts as the primary barrier between the inside atmosphere and any space beneath it. Lastly, underlayment and finish flooring options are decided upon for the uppermost layer.

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Considerations in Railing Design – (3 hrs) (18,376 words) (A,E,C) FL Approval Number: 9879230

Luxurious skyscrapers have been built, allowing property owners to optimize their properties by maximizing the use of valuable plots of land in every major city. These magnificent towers showcase successive lines of elegant balconies ascending towards the sky, small segments of open-air areas reserved exclusively for private use.

Railings on these balconies contribute to the aesthetics of their projects as an integral component of the overall architectural design. They are highly visible while serving their intended purpose of ensuring the safety of occupants positioned behind them.

Architects, engineers, and builders now have access to many advanced tools for designing railings. Technologies like 3-D imaging, 3-D modeling, BIM, and CAD-CAM programs have revolutionized the possibilities in renovation projects. Innovative business models have emerged, whereby busy architectural firms operating in multiple locations can efficiently develop standardized details and specifications for railing systems.

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Diverting Radon – (2 hrs) (14,851 words) (A,E.C)

In the movie, “The Princess Bride,” the Man in Black describes his fictitious iocane powder, being used in a deadly game, as being odorless, tasteless, dissolving instantly in liquid, and among the more deadly poisons known to man. Radon has at least a few things in common with iocane powder. It too is invisible, odorless, tasteless, can be contained in water and can be quite deadly. But men in black do not usually announce the presence of radon. And no one acquires immunity to it. In this course, we will examine what we do know about this ubiquitous, ever-present, radioactive gas, why more and more, it tends to accumulate in our buildings, the danger that represents to the health of occupants and what exactly can be done to lower our increasing risk.

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Three Ways to Murder Fire – (2 hrs) (13,809 words) (A,E,C)

Fire possesses some characteristics of a living entity. It consumes, inhales and somewhat reproduces, using its intense heat to expand. Moreover, fire has a somewhat malicious nature, from our perspective. This is due to the fact that when uncontrolled, fire has can and does extinguish our lives or at the very least, obliterates our belongings and valuable assets. If possible, it is preferable for us to kill a fire, rather than allowing it to annihilate us. This course explores various methods through which we can effectively extinguish fires.

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Levels of Building Security – (2 hrs) (13,855 words) (A,E.C)

In an ever-changing society, where it appears that our values are deteriorating, individuals are constantly inundated with distressing news and personal accounts that cause many people to fear. Ensuring safety within a building has become more than just investing in electronic equipment, software and guards. It is also a part of the program that must be considered for all types of buildings, regardless of their specific purpose.

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Site Design Constraints – (2 hrs) (13,365 words) (A,E)

The site selected for a project will influence almost every other choice being made during design. There are multiple sources for restrictions which must be met by the design for use of the site. These will include requirements found in the owner-supplied program, siting concerns in the building codes, zoning regulations which must be followed, recorded restrictions constraining the use of some areas, societal concerns, recognition of the neighborhood and context in which the project must sit, nearby and past improvements, and designing in accordance with the local environment and the site’s microclimate. Deciding how to meet all those restrictions will quickly narrow our choices for the building design, down to those which are the most viable.

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Building Reproducible Homes – (1 hr / 2hrs) (7504 words) (A,E)

In the creation of buildings, there exists a peculiar genre of work. It involves the creation and reuse of prototypical plans for clients, needing to duplicate their basic facilities elsewhere. To those observing from afar, the work seems mundane and unsatisfying. It is not the stuff from which awards or peer recognition arises. For those involved in the niche, is can make for very long and satisfying working relationships and a recognition of worth by clients, to who’s success the creators of buildings directly contribute. In this course, we will examine the pros and cons of prototype creation.

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Avoidable Construction Disasters – (1 hr) (6,939 words) (A,E,C)

There are a vast number of moving parts and people that must smoothly come together to make a construction project successful. It is no small thing to bring one to completion without serious glitches arising along the way. This is because a potential for disaster exists at so many points along the path to completion.  In the first section of this course, we will touch on some natural forces that can impact our projects. Things to consider ahead of time before we must consider them at a higher cost later. We will move on to examine problems related to specific materials and methods used in construction, that once recognized, might be avoided. Finally, we will look at just a few of the ways in which human error, especially decisions based on haste, create problems on our jobs.

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Minimizing Risk with Thorough Documentation – (2 hrs) (12,829 words) (A,E)

Regardless of how carefully an architect conducts business, how they choose clints or projects, risk remains. Clients and society both place high expectations on this profession and with so many factors and players involved, outcomes may not meet desired goals. The best place to begin mitigating risk is at the beginning, when contracting to provide services. Then document every decision made. Simply put, risk is the possibility of loss or injury. The more exposure in an area of practice, the more the need to focus on that area. Risk control is commonly concerned with making sure expenses on a project, whether many small ones or single large claims, do not exceed revenue. The basic reason for this is so a firm does not go out of business. For many, the prospect of people being injured may take precedence over a concern for financial loss. But in either case, risk management is an area of focus, architects cannot afford to neglect.

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Mind Your Own Business on Job Sites – (2 hrs) (15,519 words) (A,E.C)

Many tasks need to be accomplished in the process of moving a building project through inception to completion. These are all well understood at this point in our history, but what may not be so well understood is the accurate division of responsibility for these tasks between the principal participants in most projects. Failing to understand those boundaries and staying in the right lanes can become a major source of liability and confusion in a project. This course is intended for all participants, to help determine not only what is expected from them, acting in their role on a job site, but also what they should be able to expect from the other players. Establishing proper expectations will go a long way toward eliminating confusion, disappointment, and conflict.

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A Closer Look at Dirt – (2 hrs) (13,880 words) (A,E.C)

Dirt is the foundational material upon which we construct our dwellings, and contains hidden depths and characteristics. Before beginning any design endeavors, we should delve deeper and determine if a particular site truly aligns with our project requirements. Evaluating the suitability of the soils present on-site, mandates thorough examination and comprehensive testing. Conducting this examination might reveal that the soil does not meet our stipulated criteria. In such a scenario, it might be necessary to find an alternative location. Additionally, we can investigate potential methods to enhance or alter the soil at the initial site. Alternatively, we can remove the unsatisfactory soil and replace it with better quality soil. A fourth possibility would be to revise our conventional approach to foundation design.

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I Feel the Earth Move – (2 hrs) (13,207 words) (A,E.C)

Occurrences of moving earth can be found in nearly every corner, threatening to significantly damage both residential and commercial properties. The consequences of such movement may be substantial financial losses and even loss of life. These forms of moving earth go by different names like settling, plate tectonics, earthquakes, earth drift, sinkholes, muck, seismic vibrations, expansive soils, expansion due to frost, and erupting volcanoes. Instead of simply avoiding problematic areas, we strive to acquire comprehensive knowledge about these phenomena, to best assess the potential risks they pose. We then identify suitable measures to minimize their impact and alleviate consequences associated with earth movements. Ultimately, our goal is to implement the most effective solutions available within our means, to mitigate the potential damages caused by these occurrences.

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Effects of Direct Sunlight – (2 hrs) (13,327 words) (A,E.C)

We are bound to live our lives, construct our structures, and inhabit them in the presence of our sun. The sunlight coming from our nearby star contains both positive and negative attributes. The key, then, is to fully utilize and harness its advantages, while preventing or avoiding its detrimental aspects. Designers can manage the impact of sunlight on buildings, both positive and negative.

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Catastrophic Winds – (2 hrs) (13,684 words) (A,E.C)

Building in the realm of nature means coming face to face with formidable powers that I call God’s divine hammers. Although well aware of the peril they bring, we deliberately opt to construct buildings within their destructive reach. In this course, we shall examine one such hammer in the catastrophic form of fierce winds.

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A Paper Trail Through Risk – (2 hrs) (13,983 words) (A,E.C)

In simple terms, risk refers to the chance of experiencing harm or experiencing a loss. Despite how carefully an architect conducts their business and makes informed decisions regarding clients and projects, the element of risk is always present. Throughout this course, we will explore typical risks associated with legal responsibilities, as well as the various types of records regularly generated and maintained. These records meticulously document the advancement, modifications, and financial transactions related to the construction of a project by a contractor for an owner. These records also serve as a comprehensive check and reminder of the architect’s crucial duties during a project’s construction administration phase.

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Construction Conflict Resolution – (1 hr) (6,996 words) (A,E.C)

Implementing preventive measures and carefully attending to crucial details and procedures can significantly lessen the number of conflicts during a construction project. Such precautions can greatly assist the architect to effectively manage and resolve such issues.

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Construction Trends – Materials – (1 hr) (10,799 words) (A,E,C)

But what if concrete could heal itself? Or asphalt, or even metal? The world might save untold billions of dollars in renovation and repair costs alone, not to mention the reduction in harm to the environment. As research and development in materials science advance, new ways of constructing buildings are emerging. Some will inevitably find their places in small niches, others might turn out to have broad applicability, but what is certain is that the buildings of the next decade will be stronger, more environmentally friendly, and more cost-efficient than the buildings of the last one.

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Ethics for Building Professionals – (2 hrs) (14,186 words) (A,E.C)

In various situations, professionals must decide what course of action would be most beneficial. The answer typically relies on a set of ethics, specific to their profession. These ethics are a collection of moral principles that pertain to, or endorse, a particular group, field, or code of behavior. The purpose of ethics is to proactively address questions which commonly arise in multiple occupations.

This course will present and explore principles employed by professionals in the field of construction, like architects, engineers, and contractors. These principles are used to effectively prioritize decisions and create hierarchies, when faced with uncertain and complex situations.

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Sexual Harassment in the Building Trades – (1 hrs) (13,398 words) (A,E.C)

In recent decades, sexual harassment has become a part of the national conversation regarding the American workplace. It is the truth, that everyone has a right to work in a safe environment, free from intimidation and harassment. This sensitive topic can be approached and discussed honestly and practically, as a first line of defense against its occurrence. In this course, we will look at how such actions are defined and how they must be corrected. We will examine how liability for tolerating such actions plays out at an individual, management, and corporate level. The last area we will examine is the reasons behind, and the prevalence of, sexual discrimination in the architectural profession. Compared to the rest of America, we tend to dramatically fail as a profession, in protecting our members against this type of abuse.

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Tasks in Residential Construction – (2 hrs) (13,628 words) (C)

Eventually, every project needs to transition from just a vision of the owner, to a finished structure. Builders employ various strategies known as “project delivery methods” to bring projects to fruition. In this course, we will explore the various negotiated agreements frequently used by residential builders. Of particular significance, the course will culminate with an in-depth analysis of a popular method for scheduling residential projects, often referred to as a critical path timeline.

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Dealing with Difficult Clients – (2 hrs) (13,561 words) (C)

Professional builders often come across challenging clients. With sufficient expertise and the ability to quickly recognize and steer clear of troublesome individuals, builders can successfully avoid most issues with difficult clients. There are ways to effectively handle projects, in order to reduce problems. Managing clients may prove to be more challenging. Despite thorough project management, clear communication, and delivering a high-quality product, it is still possible for a client to remain unhappy. In such cases, it is important to remember that if you have done your best, the problem does not lie with you.

Purchase as pdf for knowledge ($10.00)