The building code is a tool used by designers and authorities with the objective of protecting the public and emergency personnel. It is the duty of the designer and building official to ensure that the intent of the code is satisfied. Although the prescriptive language of the code is intended to protect public health and safety for most projects, every building, site, and design is unique. This course explores the provisions for alternate materials and methods requests (AMMRs) in section 104.11 of the International Building Code® (IBC®) and how they may be used to achieve code compliance.

The primary purpose of “What Is Historic Preservation?” is to discuss the history of the historic preservation movement in the United States and present an overview of the processes and programs that have been developed over the years to integrate historic and existing buildings into the architectural field. Specifically discussed are architectural styles, the history of preservation, questions of authenticity, preservation policies, documentation and planning, preservation organizations, and professions involved in the field. This course is the first of the five-part Historic Preservation series. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

One of a series of ten courses about the reasons to conduct and methods to accomplish effective predesign planning in architecture, this is the third of five courses focusing on methods used in predesign planning. This course covers the techniques and tools required to conduct successful diagnostic observations of people, places, objects, and their interactions to uncover how the environment influences human behavior. The differences with diagnostic interviewing are covered and the need to develop understanding, not just description, is emphasized. Several types of observation and observation formats, including photographic documentation, are included. Exercises and references allow the reader to develop knowledge and skills in diagnostic observation. Each part of this ten-part series can be taken as an individual course.

The forensic investigation of buildings and infrastructure has been extensively conducted by engineers, architects, and scientists after every recent major earthquake that has impacted the built environment. This course focuses on how architects can use the analysis and documentation of the effects of seismic movements to design for better seismic response. Included is a discussion of a general design approach for improved seismic response and a review of various design improvements using building design cases. This is the third course in a series of six courses on seismic mitigation. Each part may be taken as an individual course. This 2021 edition is a substantial update of the original Seismic course first published in 2017.