Zonda - Resource Library

Backyard cooking has evolved beyond grills and barbecues, with increasingly innovative options becoming available for complete outdoor kitchens. Homeowners wanting to invest in luxurious spaces for cooking, gathering, and entertaining need solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but durable and long-lasting, with cabinetry and workspaces able to withstand the elements and retain their beauty and structural durability.

This course will explore the design flexibility offered by acetylated wood, a modified timber that’s been used in many outdoor building applications for decades and is now enabling new possibilities for luxury outdoor kitchen construction.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. We live in a world of limited resources, and the AEC industry not only has a large impact on the use of those resources, but also the overall health of our planet. As designers, it is important to consider the impact of the project not only on the environment, but also on the health of its occupants.

In this course, we’ll discuss how to better identify and reduce a design’s carbon footprint using Building Information Modeling (BIM). Specifying high-quality, sustainable materials for interiors can not only lead to longer product life cycles and better energy management, but also benefit the overall health of the occupant by limiting the use of toxic substances and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We’ll demonstrate how BIM gives the designer more control over a building’s level of sustainability – such as generating embodied carbon calculations – and gives the designer more opportunities to enhance the aesthetics and occupant comfort by using a systems approach.

Time-honored material offers a bold new expression of architectural excellence. Read why slate is an ideal cladding solution for numerous applications. In an industry and design environment where so many materials ask architects, contractors and owners to make difficult sustainability, performance and aesthetic decisions, consider how the simplicity and elegance of a reimagined building material presents a way forward with minimal compromise.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Architects are uniquely positioned to innovate and lead, yet they often find themselves bogged down by their day-to-day demands. In a world where the traditional work model is becoming obsolete, it's time to rethink how you approach your professional life. This webinar is designed to empower architects by introducing them to innovative strategies and tools that can revolutionize their work habits, increase productivity, and enhance overall job satisfaction.

Inspired by Tim Ferriss' The 4-Hour Workweek, this session will focus on practical applications within the AE industry, highlighting how to optimize workflows, delegate effectively, leverage technology, and create a more balanced, fulfilling professional life. Applying these principles will enable you to “work smarter, not harder,” transforming your firm into a well-oiled machine that runs efficiently and profitably, freeing you up to focus on your passion.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. In the bestselling book Atomic Habits, James Clear illustrates that the key to unlocking significant improvements in our lives lies in small, incremental changes, emphasizing systems over goals for sustained progress. This webinar explores how integrating technologies into our daily routines, guided by Clear's four laws of behavior change (make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying), can transform our work processes and architecture firm’s culture. By adopting a mindset shift towards seeing ourselves not just as design professionals, but as innovators, we align technology with our identity, ensuring its seamless adoption.

Join the founder of The Well-Designed Firm and former Chief Creative Officer of BQE Software, Steven Burns, FAIA, as he shares actionable insights on fostering a culture that embraces experimentation and learning, illustrating how these atomic habits can compound to achieve remarkable growth. Discover how to leverage these principles to propel your firm forward by letting automation and technology handle the heavy lifting, saving you hours per week!

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. This course will examine how the element of fire changed the trajectory of human evolution, society, and the nature of our built environments. Learners will look at safety technology that exists in the fireplace category to prevent building fires and protect end-users. The course will explore the physical and mental health benefits of gathering near a fireplace.

The course will discuss the environmental impact of carbon emitting hearth products on indoor and outdoor air quality and related EPA regulations. Content will include the latest innovations in the fireplace category related to aesthetics, performance, comfort-control, and occupant well-being. Key planning criteria and strategies to mitigate specifier liability will be reviewed.

Hot off a season of trade shows, including the International Builders' Show (IBS), manufacturers have debuted new products or improvements that make existing products cleaner and more energy-efficient—on the systems side of smart homes.

Hear more about five of these recent innovations. On the design side, see a fireplace with firebox that can have zero clearance to combustible materials. Then see the latest hydronic solutions efficiently delivering heat and hot water - as well as a powerful fuel cell that can work in concert with the grid.

This course provides an overview of the home remodeling industry, including industry growth trends, demographic insights, and typical project types. The course also explores the potential role of propane technologies in different remodeling applications, illustrating key performance characteristics and how they can add value to remodeling projects. The course concludes by describing the options for propane storage in residential applications.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. The proposal is the pivotal part in the client onboarding process, a gateway that holds the power to set the stage for a successful project journey. However, in the world of architecture and engineering, there's no one-size-fits-all proposal. Join Founder of Teiger Consulting and architectural entrepreneur Douglas Teiger, FAIA, in this comprehensive course where he’ll dive deep into the art of crafting compelling proposals that resonate with each unique project and client.

Explore the anatomy of a proposal, unravel the nuanced differences between proposals and contracts, and gain mastery in sculpting terms and conditions that seamlessly transform your proposal into a rock-solid contract. Discover the invaluable benefits of leveraging AIA agreements, setting the standard for professional excellence.

Join Douglas as he guides you through the critical link between your proposal and project setup, illuminating the path to seamless project execution and embarks with you on a journey to craft winning proposals and contracts that lay the foundation for client success. By the end of this session, you'll possess the knowledge and tools to navigate the intricate realm of client onboarding with confidence and excellence.

Glass can add unique character to any space. This paper highlights seven types of glass, helping you understand its versatility and benefits as well as showcasing ways to integrate it onto your projects.