If there were one rule that would net the greatest acoustical yield in the built environment, it might well be, “Maintain ample separation between machines and occupied spaces.” Not only mechanical noise, but plumbing noise, as well, can create a high degree of annoyance to occupants. This course provides design guidance to minimize mechanical and plumbing noise; it concludes with examples of built spaces that illustrate effective acoustic design. This course is part of a seven-part series that translates the quantitative and qualitative content of acoustics into the graphic language of architecture. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

The study of architectural acoustics is a three‐dimensional endeavor. Presented here are the qualities of room acoustics that are essential to understand and address from the earliest stages of design, for optimal speech intelligibility and music listening. This course is part of a seven-part series that translates the quantitative and qualitative content of acoustics into the graphic language of architecture. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

The study of architectural acoustics is itself an act of architecture. This course addresses the priorities necessary to design good rooms for listening, including considerations to avoid acoustic defects and design checklists for unamplified music halls as well as other room types where good acoustics are essential. This course is part of a seven-part series that translates the quantitative and qualitative content of acoustics into the graphic language of architecture. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

Airborne sound transmission between rooms or from outside of a building is often perceived as unwanted noise. The principles of sound isolation are introduced here, with a focus on techniques to reduce flanking noise and achieve higher acoustical privacy. This course is part of a seven-part series that translates the quantitative and qualitative content of acoustics into the graphic language of architecture. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

A century’s worth of research into the effects of noise has found that long‐term exposure to loud sounds contributes to hearing loss; those who sleep in noisier environments are more prone to heart disease; and subjects suffer cognitively when assigned to tasks that involve careful listening in noisy environments. This course discusses design considerations, materials, and methods to improve noise control in buildings. This course is part of a seven-part series that translates the quantitative and qualitative content of acoustics into the graphic language of architecture. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

Impact noise transmitted directly to the building structure is particularly annoying to building occupants, and unless it is accounted for in the initial design, is difficult to correct. Excessive community noise is common, a source of great annoyance, and a danger to human health, ranking as the greatest single source of dissatisfaction related to where people live. This course addresses the best design methods to mitigate both impact and community noise. This course is part of a seven-part series that translates the quantitative and qualitative content of acoustics into the graphic language of architecture. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

The reader of this course receives a quick refresher on the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the current 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as well as the approach for the design professional to use in meeting the requirements of the 2010 Standards in any given project. Discussions and case studies clarify the use of the 2010 Standards and highlight common mistakes found in their application in new construction and renovation. Finally, the course highlights elements of design that are now part of the 2010 Standards but were not addressed by earlier Standards. This course was last revised in 2022.

Sustainable design provides not only improved indoor environmental quality for building occupants and reduced environmental impact on the earth, but also financial benefits to building owners. However, the perception is that doing the right thing for the environment will cost more. This course focuses on the economic principles used to evaluate and deliver a more sustainable building solution. We will review evaluation of capital investments in equipment, system upgrades, and building maintenance and operations that support buildings with a reduced environmental impact. This course is part of a six-part series that presents practical guidelines for designing sustainable buildings. Each section can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2021.

While architects cannot alter unexpectedly high wind pressures, building connection details and their strength can be considered within the architect’s scope and control. This course reviews the methods that can be used to improve building resistance against overturning, uplift, and sliding. Also reviewed are the use of horizontal and vertical wind collectors to distribute surface pressures and mechanical dampers to decrease lateral movement caused by wind pressures. Using the directional procedure specified in the ASCE 7-16 standard, the course also presents a wind pressure analysis for an example building type. This is the fourth in a series of five courses on wind forces. Each part may be taken as an individual course. This 2022 edition is a substantial update of the original Wind Forces course first published in 2017.

For existing buildings that are found to have wind resistance deficiencies, there is often no easy way of correcting the deficiencies without damaging finishes. For new buildings, however, achieving acceptable wind resistance is a relatively simple task, since needed structural elements, strength requirements, and connection details can be incorporated during the design process. Using the envelope procedure specified in ASCE 7-16, this course reviews the wind pressure analysis for an example building type. In addition, the methods that can be used to strengthen buildings for wind resistance are discussed, as well as some practical considerations for wind-resistant buildings. This is the fifth in a series of five courses on wind forces. Each part may be taken as an individual course. This 2022 edition is a substantial update of the original Wind Forces course first published in 2017.

This course provides practical advice about security considerations in both the business operations and project delivery aspects of architecture practice. Hypothetical design examples are presented to demonstrate the application of security strategies and measures to selected building functions. This course is part of an eight-part series that covers concepts, principles, and processes for incorporating enhanced security into the design of new and existing buildings. Each section can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2022.

Earthquakes can cause immense structural and nonstructural damage to buildings and injury to the occupants of these buildings. Through the use of case examples, the seismic vulnerability of a range of common building types and the underlying causes of their failures in the event of an earthquake are reviewed. This course is the second of a series of six courses that focuses 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.

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.

While the traditional approach to seismic mitigation focused on strengthening building resistance, in recent times more advanced techniques have tended to focus on reducing the level of earthquake-related stress placed on buildings. Through the use of building case examples, this course explores how architects can design for better seismic mitigation. Also presented is a review of a number of common design options available to improve seismic response, including bracing, moment-resisting frames, and pierced shear walls. This is the fourth of a series of six courses that focuses 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.

Ongoing research and experience from recent seismic events have added to the store of knowledge that allows architects to address problems in the design of new buildings. However, it is also essential to address problems in existing buildings that will behave predictably in a major seismic event. This course examines the factors that must be considered when retrofitting existing buildings. In addition, the course reviews seismic design strategies that can be used for mitigating earthquake forces on building structures. Particular attention is paid to the use of base isolation, damping systems, and aseismic design as tools for seismic mitigation. This course is the fifth 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.

The design of complex objects involving many people and functions requires careful management if progress is to be made toward a successful conclusion. This course examines the role of design management in seismic performance. Particular attention is paid to the use of construction observation and performance-based design as approaches that can be used to design structures with predictable and defined seismic performance goals. Also reviewed are a variety of design resources that can be used by architects when designing for seismic mitigation. This is the last 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.