Zonda - Resource Library

Over the past two decades the building industry has made significant strides toward building more intentionally and sustainably. Architects have greatly impacted this revolution by embracing innovative technologies that are more energy- and water-efficient, are less toxic to the environment and building occupants, and are more sensitive to how raw materials are extracted and sourced. Another important goal in protecting the climate and natural resources is to move away from a single-use mindset and embed circular economic principles into design and living. Many believe the next step in improving the sustainability and circularity of the built environment is biobased products, including paints, coatings, and sealers.

This course will discuss the environmental impact of petroleum-based coatings; the building blocks and future implications for biobased coatings; and new biobased products for use in wall, trim, floor, and roof coatings.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids, including architectural and industrial maintenance coatings. VOCs are the leading cause of ground-level air pollution and indoor air pollution, which can adversely impact the health of building occupants.

This course will examine the importance of indoor air quality and how it is impacted by VOCs. We will discuss how VOCs are regulated at both the federal and state level, including exemptions, classifications, and how these regulations affect Architectural and Industrial Maintenance (AIM) Coatings. There are new regulations on the horizon that you should be aware of, as coating manufacturers work to develop products that achieve a balance between important performance and application factors and their environmental ramifications. The course will also explore coating technologies that already meet strict VOC standards.

It makes sense that sealing your windows and doors saves energy, but have you ever wondered by how much? A life cycle assessment was conducted for a polyurethane sealant on a residential structure in Pittsburgh, PA. This course will explain types of sealants and how they are used on a residential structure, how life cycles are assessed, the methodology of this study, as well as results and conclusions.

Today, more than half of us live in cities, and by 2050, this proportion is expected to increase to 67%. As urbanization becomes a global trend, the struggle to efficiently and sustainably grow our cities will only intensify. More people need more buildings, more energy, and more infrastructure, and this puts increased pressure on resources and the environment.

The challenges we face can seem daunting, but the good news is that raw material suppliers, building material manufacturers, architects, and engineers are creating innovative solutions that can help the building industry rise to meet these challenges in order to build the sustainable and resilient cities of the future.

This course will explore what the future of urbanization could look like through the lens of energy reduction, power supply, and efficient construction. We will examine innovative materials and technologies that will help cities, and their citizens, thrive as we make our way through the 21st century.

High-performance coatings are used in a wide variety of industries to protect steel construction from corrosion. Corrosion protection coatings are an indispensable contribution to the long-term preservation of valuable capital investments worldwide. However, choosing the best corrosion protection system for the intended application is the most important consideration to achieve long-term protection. The coatings industry is continually innovating with new technologies for primers, basecoats, and topcoats. This course will examine how high-performance protective coatings prevent corrosion in the built environment and how they are increasingly being used for architectural applications.

Microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria present a significant set of challenges for hospital and healthcare professionals because of their ability to spread on surfaces in healthcare facilities. Rigorous disinfection protocols can accelerate degradation of painted wall surfaces in rooms of healthcare facilities that are considered higher risk. This learning unit will serve to educate the architectural reader about specific healthcare infrastructure disinfection guidelines, methods, and materials and how they can affect architectural coatings.

This course will introduce the six United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are specifically related to architecture and design, and will examine technologies and practices that the chemical industry is implementing to support these initiatives. We will explore the SDGs through the lens of several case studies that seek to improve energy efficiency, long term durability, and air quality through design.