Program: Architecture, Design and Building Science

This course explores a few of the many ways that interiors impact the health and well-being of the people inside them. From restrooms being designed to reduce contact with contaminated surfaces and inhibit the presence of bacteria, to acoustics solutions that absorb or isolate noise, making interiors more comfortable and productive. Biophilic design, a health-focused design concept that encourages the inclusion of plants, daylight, and natural elements like wood and stone, is also discussed, as are the options designers have for bringing stone elements inside.

See more videos from Acoustical Surfaces here

This one-minute video shows you just how easy it is to take a course on TCA. Give it a play, explore the intuitive User Interface and the many features that make TCA easy and enjoyable. New courses are being added all the time!

There is never a cost to take a course or earn a certificate. Registration takes just a couple minutes – you only have to do it once to enroll in any course, at any time in the future – look over the course catalog for each of our programs, just click on a couple of course descriptions that look interesting to you to add them to your wish list, and start watching some really great videos.

You will also enjoy browsing the Video Vault, our video library of building and construction videos from many of the manufacturers and organizations that sponsor courses on TCA. Courses are not permitted to feature competitive product distinctions between manufacturers, except in very broad terms, so these additional videos get into branded product details, installation, safety, materials and other details of the brands.

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Beauty, functionality, and wellness-enhancing can co-exist in design, with the right products. This article explores solutions that help architects achieve these important multi-benefits. Pavers that create beautiful outdoor spaces that are easy to maintain. Skylights that allow daylight and fresh air into the interior. Underlayment that improves acoustics and sound management, while protecting the integrity of the interior air quality. Each improves the functionality of the space and the wellness of the people in the built environment.

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems for architects providing insight into the technology, how it’s applied compared to traditional HVAC systems and how it can be managed and controlled for various applications. The speaker demonstrates how VRF technology provides opportunities for operational savings, ease of maintenance and supports movements such as Strategic Electrification.  

Program: Architecture, Design and Building Science

This course is presented in HD by the president of Ellison and provides an introduction to a unique form of commercial entry door known as a balanced door. You will explore various components of a balanced door system, numerous advantages of a balanced door over conventional hinged or pivoted swing doors, how balanced doors meet ADA guidelines, and the specific design requirements needed to accommodate balanced doors.

Program: The Art and Technology of Lighting

This course is a high-density orientation to lighting considerations and methods in the healthcare environment. Topics will include application situations, impacted populations, design methods, and a review and critique of examples of successful and less-than-successful healthcare lighting designs.

Program: The Art and Technology of Lighting

This course explains light pollution and why it is of interest to the International Dark-Sky Association. After taking this course, students will understand the impact of light pollution as well as the difference between IDA and non-IDA lighting.

This course is designed to introduce the architect to emergency lights. These lights are meant to be selected and installed according to specific standards established by building codes. Additionally, once installed, these systems must be tested to assure their efficacy in case of an emergency. How to select and specify the appropriate markers and the technological solutions available, as well as testing methods, will all be covered in this course.

Modern open spaces create a unique set of challenges when it comes to acoustics, particularly because many new buildings are designed with open plans and open plenums. Fortunately, there are innovative acoustic systems on the market that are designed to integrate with open plenums that can help to overcome these challenges. This course will discuss customizable acoustical solutions for open plenum design, including baffles, beams, clouds, and acoustical wall panels, which are available in a variety of materials like metal, wood, fiberglass, and felt. The course will explore the importance of acoustical design and how these open plenum ceiling systems can transform a space aesthetically while maximizing acoustics.

Permeable interlocking concrete pavers have the ability to create solid, strong surfaces for pedestrians and a range of vehicular uses, and can help maintain a site’s existing natural hydrologic function. This course discusses the goals of a permeable paver system and the materials used. It compares permeable pavers with other stormwater management systems and describes the proper installation of a permeable paver system.