Whether it is a house museum, a residence, a courthouse, or a church, every building must be safe to enter, use, and exit. It is as important to understand a building’s significance and authenticity as it is to be able to identify the existing materials and conditions of the building envelope, structural system, and mechanical systems. Once these issues, features, and significance are understood, a team can be created who will work with the owner to identify what planning documents are appropriate to meet the needs of the project. The primary purpose of “How to Plan, Design, & Construct the Preservation Project” is to discuss how to develop and plan the design and preservation approach and process for historic buildings. This course is the third of the five-part Historic Preservation series. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

The design professional is faced with the tremendous challenge of anticipating, predicting, and mitigating against all possible modes of failure. This course addresses errors that occur at the earliest concept and planning stages of a project, with examples of past failures and discussions of how they could have been avoided. This course is one of a six-part series that investigates the sources of building failure. Each part can be taken as an individual course. In 2022, this material was reviewed and updated to remain timely but was not extensively rewritten.

This course is one of a series of ten courses about the reasons to conduct and methods to accomplish effective predesign planning in architecture to identify client goals, user and community needs, and codes and regulations. The various phases of architectural projects are described and the information the predesign planner must develop for project feasibility, site suitability, master planning, and predesign planning are discussed. The course focuses on predesign planning for schematic design, design development, and construction drawings. It stresses the importance of discovering the values that become critical issues for each phase of predesign planning. A case study shows how predesign planning impacts the various phases of project planning. Exercises and references allow the reader to develop knowledge about and skills in project planning. Each course of this ten-part series can be taken individually. This course was last revised in 2022.

This course addresses those elements that comprise the standard of care and the linkage to liability that an architect faces during a project’s pursuit, negotiation, design, and construction document production and the construction administration process that affects the architect’s standard of care. This course was last revised in 2021.

The way in which combat veterans perceive their postdeployment environment is impacted by their training and military experiences. In this course, we explore common environmental perceptions among veterans that reflect the unseen trauma these soldiers carry with them. These perceptions are used to analyze and determine architectural solutions that help calm the unseen trauma of America’s combat veterans.

Wildfire damage mitigation has become increasingly important as wildfires themselves steadily increase in frequency, size, and ferocity, putting more communities, buildings, and lives at risk. The property damage they cause is rising even more dramatically. This course examines wildfire behavioral attributes and the wide range of wildfire damage mitigation techniques that architects can implement when designing residential and commercial buildings. It draws from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines that range from risk assessment to site analysis and selection, community and infrastructure connections, site planning, and building and envelope detail design techniques.

This course provides an overview of the Model Rules of Conduct pertaining to conflicts of interest, with actual and hypothetical cases illustrating the issues of compensation and disclosure, as well as a discussion of how to best understand the concept of a conflict of interest. This course is part of a five-part series that reviews and discusses the standards all architects are legally obliged to follow. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

Adaptive reuse is becoming increasingly common because it not only preserves important historical features of existing buildings but is also inherently sustainable. This course addresses the social well-being fostered by preserving and revitalizing the existing urban fabric, understanding the intent of and complying with regulatory challenges unique to adaptive reuse, and supporting sustainability through reuse and systems upgrades while improving accessibility to existing buildings. In addition, guidelines are presented to assist in navigating the process of engaging adaptive reuse projects. Case studies are woven throughout the course to illustrate strategies and ideas that are generalizable to successfully repurposing many different types of buildings.

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.

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.

Compared to indicative and investigative postoccupancy evaluations (POEs), diagnostic POEs tend to provide more comprehensive and in-depth evaluations, especially for large-scale projects. These types of POEs, however, typically require a high level of effort since they make use of multiple data collection methodologies and processes. Through the use of a case study analysis, this course reviews the diagnostic POE process, with particular emphasis on the tools and techniques used in the data collection and analysis process. In addition, a review of the evaluators’ suggestions for items to be addressed, along with their potential solutions, is presented. This course is the last of the four-part Improving Building Performance Case Studies series. Each section can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2021.

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) examines the performance of a building in a comprehensive manner and can help architects understand and correct problems on recently completed projects and make better decisions in future projects. POEs contribute to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare as a continuous improvement tool for the built environment. This mini-monograph introduces POE with a discussion on the history and benefits of POEs, as well as how the performance concept is used in conducting POEs. The three levels at which a POE may be undertaken are also addressed. This course is part of a six-part series that explores the growing use of post-occupancy evaluations and their long-term significance in the design process. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

To help architects understand and correct problems on recently completed projects and make better decisions in future projects, post-occupancy evaluation (POE) examines the performance of a building in a comprehensive manner. This benefits the public’s health, safety, and welfare as architects continue to improve the buildings that they design. Presented here are two POE case studies, one conducted at the investigative level and the other at the diagnostic level. This course is part of a six-part series that explores the growing use of post-occupancy evaluations and their long-term significance in the design process. Each section can be taken as an individual course.

Living, regenerative, and adaptive design incorporates interrelated, innovative concepts that challenge traditional building paradigms and even standards for sustainable design. It is possible to create living, regenerative, and adaptive buildings by considering them as dynamic and interactive structures. Their design utilizes inventive approaches and technologies that seek to integrate and restore the natural environment rather than just addressing the building design itself. This course provides an introduction to the concepts and principles of living, regenerative, and adaptive design and helps the learner differentiate between them. The course also offers strategies to consider incorporating into a project, including creating buildings that generate their own energy, recycle their own water, improve the environment and the quality of life for occupants, and adapt to changing weather or conditions. Examples demonstrate how these strategies have been effectively implemented in projects. Case studies offer inspiration and lessons learned from the process.

To effectively plan for and implement sustainable development requires a clear understanding of the organizing principles for meeting human development goals while sustaining the natural systems and resources of the environment. In Part I of this two-part series, an introduction to the principles and concepts of sustainable development and an overview of respected programs, initiatives, and resources to guide current projects are provided. The interrelationships between and integration of issues to plan for and resolve using the sustainable development process are presented with an emphasis on various models for effectiveness. Approaches to engaging and educating the development team and community on the value of sustainable development are also presented. In Part II, examples and case studies demonstrate how different sustainable development programs and strategies have been implemented in projects, and their rationale and effectiveness is discussed based on initial goals and outcomes. Author Information: Stephanie Vierra Publication Date: December 2, 2020 AIA Expiry Date: November 29, 2026

To effectively plan for and implement sustainable development requires a clear understanding of the organizing principles for meeting human development goals while sustaining the natural systems and resources of the environment. In Part I of this two-part series, an introduction to the principles and concepts of sustainable development and an overview of respected programs, initiatives, and resources to guide current projects are provided. The interrelationships between and integration of issues to plan for and resolve using the sustainable development process are presented with an emphasis on various models for effectiveness. Approaches to engaging and educating the development team and community on the value of sustainable development are also presented. In Part II, examples and case studies demonstrate how different sustainable development programs and strategies have been implemented in projects, and their rationale and effectiveness is discussed based on initial goals and outcomes.

The schematic design phase is generally considered to include approximately 30 percent of the project design and offers the best opportunity to prevent future moisture and mold problems. This course addresses the architectural and mechanical considerations for making the critical design decisions during this phase. Mitigating moisture and mold problems will protect the public health, safety, and welfare in our buildings. This course is part of a four-part series that discusses how to improve building performance related to mold and moisture issues. 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 course discusses the various approaches to predesign planning used over the years. It includes various terms and definitions for predesign planning and covers in detail client-based, design-based, knowledge-based, and consensus-based predesign planning. It advocates for value-based predesign planning, beginning with a deep search for the important values relating to a project. It then utilizes the best aspects of the other approaches to predesign planning to produce predesign plans. Exercises and references allow the reader to develop knowledge about value-based predesign planning. Each part of this ten-part series 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 course discusses how to develop and present a final predesign plan. It covers predesign plan format, content, preliminaries, and executive summary before extensive discussion and illustration of how to present values, goals, facts, needs, and ideas in either a paper or electronic format. Space identification and allocation, relationship matrices and diagrams, space planning sheets, budget and cost analysis, project schedule, and design ideas are all discussed and illustrated. Exercises and references allow the reader to gain the knowledge and skills needed to develop and present a predesign plan. Each part of this ten-part series can be taken as an individual course.

Soil and subsurface water conditions affect the design and performance of building projects. Therefore, knowledge about subsurface conditions is critical. This course discusses types of foundations and their suitable applications as well as development of the overall building site. This course is part of a four-part series that examines soil mechanics as it relates to building construction and performance. Each section can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2022.

Soil and subsurface water conditions affect the design and performance of building projects. Therefore, it is important to recognize the problems of working with ground materials for the purposes of building and site construction and general site-surface development. This course discusses site development considerations, the management of site materials, and what can go wrong along the way. This course is part of a four-part series that examines soil mechanics as it relates to building construction and performance. Each part can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2022.

This course provides an introduction to green building standards and certification systems in use around the world with an emphasis on differentiating between single-attribute and multiattribute programs. Following green building standards and certification system guidelines leads to buildings that are healthier for their occupants, have a lower impact on the environment, and protect public welfare. The development, benefits, and application of the certification and rating systems are also discussed in order to effectively select and apply the appropriate ones to a project. 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 2022.

The integrated design process is a key strategy in designing and constructing buildings that are healthier for occupants, have a lower impact on the environment, and protect public welfare. This course provides an introduction to the principles and application of integrated design to projects in order to achieve high performance. You will gain an understanding of how integrated design differs from traditional design and how important the role of the integrated design team is in the process. Case study examples demonstrate a wide range of approaches and outcomes using the integrated design process to address the goals of various types of projects. 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 2022.

This is the second of five courses focusing on methods used in predesign planning. Like the doctor trying to make a medical diagnosis by talking with the patient, the predesign planner makes an architectural diagnosis by interviewing stakeholders in a project. A successful diagnostic interview identifies the primary values and goals of the client(s), staff, and users of a proposed facility. This course covers the techniques and tools required to conduct successful diagnostic interviews. It shows how to plan and conduct these interviews both in person and online. Exercises and references allow the reader to develop knowledge and skills about diagnostic interviewing. Each course of this ten-part series can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2022.

One of a series of ten courses about the reasons to conduct and methods to accomplish effective predesign planning in architecture, this course shows how to use the value-seeking and information-gathering methods described in the previous courses to conduct a comprehensive analysis of site and climate for a project. It discusses site and climate considerations and techniques and tools used in site and climate analysis. It includes case studies of two projects in very different site and climate situations to demonstrate how site and climate impact architectural design. Exercises and references allow the reader to develop knowledge and skills in site and climate analysis and how to incorporate them into a predesign plan. Each course of this ten-part series can be taken individually. This course was last revised in 2022.

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.

This course explores and illuminates the design process, from orchestrating stakeholder participation to finalizing schematic designs. Building Design Refresher identifies and explains the core elements of the design of a safe and healthy building with a low environmental impact. At the same time, it suggests how to invoke the intangibles that make projects truly delightful and consequential. The course work is illustrated by three extensive case studies of buildings that achieved sustainable design goals while working with sensitive sites, urban design, local climate, and passive energy technologies.

Soil and subsurface water conditions affect the design and performance of building projects. Therefore, knowledge about subsurface conditions is critical. This course discusses design tasks related to subgrade conditions, coordination of design professionals and division of responsibility, and the determination of what information is required and how to obtain it. This course is part of a four-part series that examines soil mechanics as it relates to building construction and performance. Each part can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2022.

Soil and subsurface water conditions affect the design and performance of building projects. Therefore, the general nature of soils—including their structural properties—must be understood by any designer involved in site or subgrade construction. This course discusses soil properties and behaviors as well as soil classification and identification systems. This course is part of a four-part series that examines soil mechanics as it relates to building construction and performance. Each section can be taken as an individual course. This course was last revised in 2022.

As design professionals seek more creative and effective solutions to new challenges that arise as the world continues to change and evolve, biomimicry can be the source of inspiration to inform and expand the design process. This course provides an introduction to the concepts and principles of biomimicry in order to use the information to solve design problems such as sustainability issues. Specific examples are included of how nature was the inspiration used to solve challenges over time and how those ideas have influenced the present approach to biomimicry in the design process. Questions are provided to stimulate discussion within a project team and help organize a practical and effective way to communicate and incorporate biomimicry into a project. Building product and project examples offer design inspiration, a way of thinking applied to a project, and lessons learned from the process.