Zonda - Resource Library

Presented by Fernando Pages, this presentation serves as a resource and primer for product specification and complements the book Architectural Design for Traditional Neighborhoods published by the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) in 2019.

This course aims to provide design professionals full control of the design’s aesthetic outcome with polymeric sidings, trim, and ornamentation, respecting the architectural style, target market, and project budget. These specifications will refer to traditional architectural features in the language of art.

This effort aims to put the power of good design details and recommended installation practices within the architectural designer’s easy reach.

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

Most people don’t consider vinyl an eco-friendly building product, but data shows it actually is. See why it is a great choice for all your siding projects.

Resilience has become a central idea for assessing how our social, economic, technical, constructed, engineered, and ecological systems can withstand and bounce back from a man-made or weather- and climate-related disaster. Globally, wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, typhoons, high winds, hail, coastal and valley flooding, sea level rise, heat waves, seismic activity, extreme cold, ice storms, and snow melt have destroyed ecosystems, caused loss of life, damaged property, disrupted healthcare and financial networks, and in some cases, brought essential services to a halt. During this presentation, we’ll discuss 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.

Collaboration in architecture is nothing new. However, collaboration between architects and manufacturers is a relatively modern partnership, beginning largely in the early 20th century as new forms of architecture demanded material innovation and new construction technologies. Contemporary trends like Art Deco, Art Moderne, and International style embraced principles of industrialization, and some architects, perhaps most prominently Walter Gropius, espoused the need for the “rationalization, systemization, and standardization” of architecture in an effort to emulate assembly line production without sacrificing individualism. This course will look at some of the history of collaboration between architects and manufacturers and examine the concepts of interchangeable parts manufacturing, collaborative alliances, and mass production and customization. It will also assess several case studies as well as provide tips for creating effective collaborations that can lead to innovation.

Single person installation, coupled with superior performance and the look of real wood, makes this award winning cladding more than just a pretty façade.

Sustainability, the ability to maintain a certain level of performance, for a determined amount of time. In this course, we will examine the 3 pillars of sustainability including the impact on the planet or environment, economic impact, and social acceptance. In addition, the course will explore the concept of resiliency and how building materials must be resilient to be sustainable.

Finally, the course will look at how cladding plays a role in these concepts by considering whether or note the material supports a minimal impact to the environment and a defense against elements - such as wind, rain, moisture, and UV rays - that could leave the structure intact with minimal maintenance.

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.

This guide provides pro-tips on using the latest design trends to create beautiful and compelling homes.

Many materials such as vinyl and composites try to replicate the look of Cedar, but it is difficult to achieve the wood grain, color, and feel of Real Cedar. In addition, it is compatible with numerous architectural styles, from modern to traditional, and is endlessly versatile.

This course will explore the design versatility of Western Red Cedar, exterior and interior applications, and the value that Western Red Cedar brings to a project. We will also compare Western Red Cedar to alternative building materials and demonstrate how it is often imitated but never duplicated in numerous project applications.