Zonda - Resource Library

Most current trends in tile, vinyl and wood flooring are the result of emerging technical advances, offering designers and architects enormous flexibility to create unique looks in non-traditional applications. Tiles that simulate real wood, vinyl flooring with a natural stone appearance, and wood flooring that can be used in wet areas are just some of the latest advancements.

In this course contractors, designers and architects will learn how to apply current trends in tile, vinyl and wood flooring to gain a competitive advantage.

This program provides an in-depth examination of how the use of prefabricated, lightweight precast concrete insulated panels can improve the design and construction process for mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Participants will gain an understanding of how these non-load-bearing enclosure systems, manufactured under controlled factory conditions, contribute to project efficiency, schedule acceleration, and long-term performance. The course will review design integration strategies, thermal and moisture performance characteristics, and finish versatility. Discussion will also address how prefabrication supports sustainability objectives through waste reduction, quality assurance, and life-cycle durability.

This presentation is the first module in our CMU embodied carbon series and focuses on how concrete masonry units (CMU) differ from traditional wet-cast concrete in terms of carbon impact. Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) are made with dry-cast concrete (zero-slump) which uses less water and cement than wet-cast concrete, because of differences in manufacturing. The unique structure of dry-cast concrete enables increased rates of natural carbon dioxide sequestration at a much faster rate than most other types of concrete. We will set the stage for the concrete and carbon sequestration discussion by looking at the larger geologic carbon cycle and greenhouse gas emissions; and how it all relates to climate change. We will then look at the concrete carbon cycle and recent CMHA sequestration research and testing which demonstrates the accelerated sequestration rates substantially reducing the overall embodied carbon of dry-cast CMU construction.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets the minimum requirements for newly designed and constructed or renovated state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. When designing restrooms, some of each type of accessible plumbing fixture and restroom accessories and their installation location must meet accessibility requirements contained in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Many projects must also follow the provisions of the 2017 Edition of the ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Standard.

As states adopt the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) into their states’ building code, the ICC A117.1-2017 Accessible Standards will become effective for existing and new buildings. Forty-six states follow the ICC A117.1-2017 Standards (all but California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Texas; who harmonize with the ADA Standards). Additionally, states such as California have accessible requirements that vary from the ADA standards and are more stringent providing greater access.

In this course, we will cover the 2010 ADA and the ICC A117.1-2017 accessibility standards. We will also point out where and how the states including California, Florida and Minnesota building codes differ from the ADA and the ICC A117.1-2017 standards. It is important that you always check the accessibility standards that apply to your project’s location.

Over the past three decades society has had the chance to rethink discrimination, with growing social awareness of gender identity, differently abled individuals, and sensory sensitivity. This has led to a movement to make all spaces barrier-free, accessible, and inclusively designed so that they are safe, comfortable, and easy for all occupants to use.

This course will examine the history of inclusive and universal design, it’s relevance today, and how to design residential homes that are accessible for all. The course will also explore the 2021 Southern Living Showcase Home, which was the first of its kind designed to be fully inclusive and accessible.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Are you tired of watching your fees shrink as your expertise grows? Does it feel like the better you get at architecture, the less money you make per project? You're not alone—and you're not stuck.

This webinar challenges the conventional wisdom of hourly and percentage-based fees that most AE firms have been trained to follow. This interactive webinar reveals a more powerful approach to pricing that aligns with the actual value you create for clients, not just the time you spend or the construction costs you influence.

In this 50-minute session, you'll discover why traditional pricing models punish efficiency and reward inefficiency—and learn a proven framework for breaking free from the "efficiency penalty" that's keeping your firm trapped in a race to the bottom. Whether you're a firm owner looking to improve margins, a principal tired of competing on price, or an architect planning to start your own practice, this webinar will fundamentally change how you think about your value and your fees.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Upon completion of Acucraft’s continuing education course, you will acquire a comprehensive grasp of specifying a custom fireplace, covering topics such as styles and locations for fireplaces, various types of burners, media, and accessories. You will also learn the crucial aspects of selecting an appropriate manufacturer with the right capabilities, understanding safety and testing procedures, and addressing potential challenges. The course will conclude with a detailed exploration of how to specify a custom fireplace, encompassing all necessary details, drawings, submittals, and requirements to guarantee the success of your fireplace project.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Water Resistive Barriers; Definitions, Purpose and Basic Properties; Development of Different Systems over the years & Where are we Today; Performance Properties and Codes; Selection& Guidelines for Specifying WRB's & Solutions for Sealing the Building Envelope; Roofing Underlayment, Window Flashings, Air Infiltration Controls, Below Grade and Exterior Deck Waterproofing.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. This course explores how using concrete masonry units (CMU) in the built environment provides an integrated approach to climate-responsive design by simultaneously addressing three critical sustainability strategies: resilience, operational energy use, and embodied carbon reduction. Participants will examine how CMU construction offers inherent solutions to modern building challenges, from natural disasters and extreme weather events to energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction. The course demonstrates that CMU structures perform beyond code requirements without additional measures, providing durable, cost-effective buildings that support community resilience while contributing to low embodied carbon goals.

In this course, you’ll explore foundational concepts of prefabricated construction, along with its potential advantages. Materials cover the unique benefits of prefabricated light wood-frame and mass timber construction, including types of prefabricated timber systems, assemblies, and wood products used in offsite manufacturing.

Case studies throughout demonstrate a wide range of sustainable prefabricated building examples using advanced light-frame and mass timber construction.