Zonda - Resource Library

This course will identify proper and safe joint sealant application procedures that can be specified for use in various applications. In addition, the course will provide information to assist you in recognizing and understanding common causes of sealant problems. Finally, the course will provide you with information to enable you to compare and contrast different sealant types.

The course will be broken into four parts: Part 1 - Sealant Fundamentals; Part 2 - Joint Design; Part 3 - Sealant Installation; and, Part 4 - Sealant Types and Uses.

“Authenticity” and “handcrafted” are consumer buzz words that encompass everything from small-batch breweries and beers to the mission statements of big corporations. In architecture, these words tie in to design, connectivity with clients, and what is specified in homes. Specifying authentically handcrafted materials, including those for luxury, high-performing windows, harkens back to the Arts and Crafts Movement and speaks to a contemporary generation of clients that prefer one-of-a-kind objects to those that are mass produced. Luxury, handcrafted windows lend themselves to form, function, and the specific needs of exacting clients, as well as to the creation of durable, timeless structures.

The kitchen is the gathering place of the home. What factors are influencing design transformation over the next few years, and how can kitchen appliances contribute to a more connected, multifunctional space? This course will explore the state of the kitchen industry, results from a national kitchen and bath design trends survey, examples of smart appliances and their role in a connected kitchen, and the impact of wellness and sustainability on kitchen design.

Given today's focus on health and wellness, it seems prudent to revisit our acoustical lexicon with the intention of developing deeper awareness of the differences between background sound and noise, as well as their implications for our experience within facilities. Refining our understanding of 'noise' and 'sound,' as well as terms such as 'silence' and 'quiet,' allows for a more nuanced discussion of occupants’ needs and expectations, and fosters opportunities to improve building design practices.

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.

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.

Mixed-use properties have multiple access points: front gates, garages, lobbies, resident dwellings and amenities, and business centers, to name a few. The security and connectivity of these access points can protect residents and tenants, and enhance their experience with the appropriate architectural insight. This course will help learners better understand the role commercial doors, operators, gates, and dock equipment have in creating an efficient, secure, connected facility. Learners will explore four types of security access solutions and where they can be used in mixed-used properties. Door, gate, and operator safety will also be discussed, with particular emphasis on the UL 325 and ASTM F2200 standards. The course will also discuss the role of connected access solutions as part of an overall digital user experience.

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.

Many countries, regions, cities, and organizations around the world are striving to reduce carbon emissions in an effort to mitigate climate change and its effects. Globally, operational carbon, which occurs from lighting, heating, and cooling buildings and homes, is responsible for 28% of annual CO2 emissions. Because buildings play a large role in carbon emissions, architects, engineers, and other building professionals are in a unique position to aid reduction efforts.

This course will enable learners to assess the role of concrete in carbon reduction strategies and the ways in which concrete can support sustainability initiatives. With a focus on operational carbon, this course will also examine Passive House, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, Race to Zero, and Architecture 2030, as well as several case studies. For information on embodied carbon, learners should refer to the course Concrete Pathways to Net Zero: Part 1, Embodied Carbon.

Certain types of buildings are targets for forced-entry, active shooter events, and terrorist attacks, while others are at risk for opportunistic threats. Architects should consider specifying security glazing and framing on projects, ranging from schools and healthcare facilities to retail stores, stadiums, and religious buildings.

This course will examine security threats and how they impact people and property, explore different types of security glazing, industry-recognized testing standards, and design considerations for specifying glazing in various applications.