Zonda - Resource Library

Propane gas is considered to be a clean alternative fuel by the EPA; it is a versatile and environmentally safe fuel source for healthy and sustainable living. Many people use propane to fuel their outdoor grills or barbecues, but its much more versatile than a cooking fuel in residential outdoor applications. This learning unit will explore alternative uses for propane, specifically for outdoor use in and around a home.

The session involves a brief discussion of the basic how-and-why of traditional neighborhoods, including iconic platting elements like small front yards and public spaces, and the design of individual units with an eye on the block-face to achieve harmonious streetscapes. This program will touch on various elements of sustainability, Green, OSHA requirements, fire safety, wind load, and other general code matters associated with vinyl siding and trim.

See what changes 2022 brought to the table for building pros. From exterior revitalization to outdoor living, here is what is hot this year.

Synthetic turf products have significantly evolved aesthetically and in performance over the past two decades. With innovative new technologies continuing to improve the range and quality of products available, turf's applications have expanded as well. Synthetic turf now provides the realistic look of grass with far less maintenance and has found a wide range of uses, such as in the hospitality industry.

This course will introduce learners to synthetic turf's design options and performance benefits that make it the ideal product for hotels, motels, and resorts. We will discuss the many applications for turf in the hospitality industry, from pet areas and poolside retreats to rooftops, recreations areas, and event spaces.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. This course will introduce aluminum as an efficient, sustainable alternative to other types of balconies and awnings. Aluminum’s sustainability properties will be examined in addition to its strength and performance characteristics. Bolt-on balconies, also called self-supporting balconies, will also be explored in the context of prefabricated systems. These systems offer practical benefits like ease of installation and added safety. Finally, the course will address key design and installation considerations of these systems as well as building code requirements.

High-quality architectural stone veneer is a lower-cost, easier to install, sustainable alternative to natural stone. Though traditionally more often used in exterior applications, stone veneer is making its way into more interior applications across a wide variety of industries.

This course will review performance and aesthetic characteristics of stone veneer and how it’s used in different applications. Learners will also explore how stone veneer contributes to biophilic design principles and helps architects specify for changing residential building trends.

Creating spaces that embrace nature have both physical and mental health benefits. These benefits enhance the occupants experience in an indoor space creating the ambiance of outdoor living. In this course, we will discuss how the exposure to nature through living green walls contribute to LEED, WELL, and other green rating systems. We will cover common places where you might find living green walls, and where exposure to nature can make a dramatic difference, including offices, hotels, retail shops, and healthcare. This course will examine different types of living green walls available, how systems are designed, installed, and maintained. In addition, the course will look at the latest large scale green wall technology and how it can be applicable to a variety of applications.

The workplace is changing — and not just where people work but how and when. Changing employee preferences and attitudes combined with new health and safety expectations are causing organizations to rethink their office space design and homeowners to take a second look at their home office. Quartz surfaces, most often specified for the kitchen and bathroom, also have wide-ranging applications for workspaces thanks to superior hygienic and performance properties. This course will explore workplace changes; where people are working now and why; how architects can position themselves to reshape the workplace; and the role of quartz surfaces in improving consumer health, safety, and comfort.

With homeowners spending more time at home and wanting to extend their living spaces into the outdoors in the new normal resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it shouldn’t come as much surprise that the pool, hot tub, and spa industry is experiencing record sales, as well as demand for longer swim seasons. And commercial pools and related amenities aren’t far behind.

Learn how pool builders and designers can utilize propane heaters to support this trend.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy gazing into a warm fire, but many people hesitate to incorporate fireplaces into their homes, fearing high upkeep or space constraints. However, there has been tremendous innovation in the hearth industry over the past few years in venting and heat-management technologies, as well as more modern aesthetics and smart, connected fireplaces. This course will discuss 10 hearth innovations that architects should be aware of when helping clients decide which fireplace type, style, and features best suit their needs.