Zonda - Resource Library

Architecture is far from simple shelter. When thoughtfully and carefully designed, it can lift citizens and entire communities from their burdens, whether physical, mental, or economic. Community-led architecture is an evolution toward equitable, inclusive, and diverse design.

This course will explore some of the challenges underserved populations face and how community-led architecture can help create more sustainable, healthier, and happier communities. It will also examine how designers can incorporate propane into buildings for cooking, water, and space heating as an affordable, energy-efficient alternative to electric appliances for vulnerable communities worldwide.

Few building materials have been used for centuries and offer the strength and versatility of concrete. Waterproofing concrete is critical for a functional, reputable and long-lasting structure.

This educational unit will identify the consequences of non-waterproofed concrete. In addition, the course will explore how traditional waterproofing methods are used to protect concrete. Finally, the course will examine integral crystalline waterproofing methods, as well as some case study applications.

According to the CDC, well-being integrates mental health (mind) and physical health (body) resulting in more holistic approaches to disease prevention and health promotion. Wellness has suffered greatly during the pandemic, with an increasing number of adults reporting a struggle with mental health or substance abuse. This underscores a holistic sense of wellness via occupational, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional fulfillment.

This course will discuss how water-based treatments such as hydrotherapy, heat therapy, and chromotherapy promote wellness and how designers can use freestanding bathtubs to create an at-home wellness experience for their clients. Trends in self-care and wellness experiences will be covered, as will features and specification considerations for freestanding bathtubs.

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.

With the fluid nature of almost all industries today, partly due to societal disruptions caused by the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for businesses to be able to pivot their models and accommodate future changes with ease. Flexible design is imperative for adaptable commercial interiors, as is being able to divide space for different uses down the line.

This course will discuss how modular shelving and storage systems can help meet these important objectives. We will explore the components and design options for flexible shelving and storage systems and how they can help future-proof offices, retail stores, and hospitality facilities.

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.

Terra cotta is an ancient building material that has stood the test of time and is still being manufactured today for traditional roof tiles and innovative rainscreen wall cladding and sunscreen systems. Terra cotta's strengths in terms of thermal insulation, ease of installation, and aesthetic quality provide new scope for architectural creativity. This course will explore how architectural terra cotta products are sustainably manufactured, their key performance benefits, and the many design opportunities and applications available to architects who choose to design with sustainable and durable terra cotta building products..

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation with ARCHITECT's Editor in Chief. How can advances in wood construction and sustainability reimagine the future of the built environment? In this session, ARCHITECT explores the efforts of firms CO Adaptive and Lord Aeck Sargent — the latter of which collaborated with The Miller Hull Partnership on the groundbreaking Kendeda Building in Atlanta — to use wood in sustainable ways.

Each panelist will provide a unique look into the reasons why wood was chosen and how it supports the project needs and goals. Learners will have an opportunity to explore how each project utilized wood in a unique way — through adaptive reuse, low-carbon design, and sustainability, and as an educational experience.

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.

The future of construction combines Design-Make-Build processes with the greater adoption of advanced components and high-performance structural solutions. This includes enabling and encouraging crucial collaboration across the value chain, which results in better buildings that benefit everyone. That vision for the future is attainable today.

This course will explore the significant benefits of fully integrated collaboration in the construction process. From collaboration at the inception and Design Phases to the accelerations provided by the Make Phase, and the many payoffs subsequently found at the Build Phase, we will demonstrate how Design-Make-Build is a better way.