The Nova Scotia Association of Architects
The Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA) is a self-governing professional association established in 1932, and mandated by the Province of Nova Scotia under The Architects Act to regulate the practice of architecture in the province.
An air curtain, also known as an air door, employs a controlled stream of air aimed across an opening to create an air seal. This seal separates different environments while allowing a smooth, unhindered flow of traffic and unobstructed vision through the opening. This course discusses how air curtains work and why they can contribute to occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality when the door is open. It also reviews how air curtains improve whole-building energy efficiency versus conventional methods.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s2356/www.aecdaily.com/course/893368
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Light-manipulating materials use internal channels to capture, bend, scatter, and redirect light and create visually stunning spaces. Panels and slabs in resin, glass, and terrazzo make an experiential surface for privacy screens or signage, primary or accent lighting, and countertops or flooring—anywhere the interplay of light and shadow is desired for beauty and inspiration. This course describes the different types of light-manipulating materials and substrates, design and installation options, and the contributions of these products to sustainability goals as well as occupant health, well-being, and engagement in a wide range of dynamic, unique applications.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s707030/www.aecdaily.com/course/940933
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The operation of mechanical equipment generates vibration and noise, which, if left untreated, can damage the building structure and the equipment itself and be a source of discomfort for building occupants. This course examines HVAC equipment vibration and the specification of isolation solutions. It provides discussions on each of the ASHRAE isolator and base types and describes some acoustical floor treatments.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14798/www.aecdaily.com/course/1045296
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
In response to steadily growing demands for more and more storage capacity and the costs and energy required to implement that storage, data center design is now focusing on solutions that conserve energy, materials, money, and space. This course explores the current influences that directly or indirectly affect energy usage and management, the resulting trends in data center development, and how containment strategies enable designers to optimize energy efficiency and create facilities with minimal environmental footprints.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s728117/www.aecdaily.com/course/867509
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the use of entrance floor systems in commercial buildings in order to promote a safe and clean environment. The course explains the codes, regulations, and guidelines specifically related to entrance flooring systems for high-traffic entrances in healthcare, education, transportation, corporate, and other commercial settings.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s2955/www.aecdaily.com/course/931279
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Flushing is a key activity that can improve water quality and reduce the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens, enhancing patient health and well-being. This course examines flushing practices as complementary to supplemental disinfection and a critical component in hospital water management plans.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s425610/www.aecdaily.com/course/1117114
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Glass doors, windows, and storefronts are among the most vulnerable points of entry in the building envelope, and with episodes of riots, smash-and-grab crime, forced entry, and active shooters on the rise, the need for security glazing is growing. This course provides an understanding of the physical security needs of the built environment and what requirements should be met by threat mitigation products for existing storefront and building glazing. The course focus is on a new generation of clear, retrofit security “over-glaze” systems, utilizing heavy-gauge, architectural-grade polycarbonate and extruded framing designed to resist forced entry and ballistic attacks.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s921796/www.aecdaily.com/course/948703
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
An ideal railing system enhances the appeal and value of a property and contributes to design as well as safety, while not requiring large amounts of time or money to maintain. This course presents an overview of railing system material options with a focus on aluminum and thermoplastic. The performance, design, and sustainability benefits of each material are discussed, along with mounting and aesthetic options. The course concludes with tips on selecting the right railing system for the project and case studies showcasing aluminum and thermoplastic railing system installations.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18431/www.aecdaily.com/course/853437
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Designing restrooms to allow for and maximize proper hygiene is important in reducing the spread of germs. This course discusses the elements of hygienic restroom design and how reducing required touchpoints helps to increase safety and cleanliness. The key steps in proper hand hygiene are also discussed. The course then focuses on hand dryers and considers their impact on hand hygiene and sustainability. The future of commercial restroom design is then explored.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5712/www.aecdaily.com/course/946869
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The need to evaluate thermal bridging in a building’s design and performance has become more prevalent because of the increasing requirements for more energy-efficient buildings. This course provides an introduction to thermal bridging, energy code requirements, and the use of thermal break solutions designed to improve energy efficiency in the building envelope.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s877426/www.aecdaily.com/course/904671
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The war in Ukraine has left thousands living in substandard housing conditions, insufficient for winter weather. This course reviews a solution developed by a British engineer that addresses the pressing problem of delivering replacement windows in a war zone to improve thermal comfort in Ukrainian homes.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1096186/www.aecdaily.com/course/1100786
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Commercial planters add interest to both commercial and residential spaces. An understanding of materials and options available when specifying planters is an essential tool for both designers and architects. These topics are addressed in this course along with discussions on the applications of commercial planters and the benefits they offer in the design of indoor and outdoor spaces.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s781284/www.aecdaily.com/course/841985
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Unwanted sound can become more than a mere annoyance. Excess noise has been found to increase stress and distraction, reduce learning and productivity, and even lead to hypertension and permanent hearing loss. This course presents an overview of how sound is described and measured and describes the many industrial and architectural products available to control noise in virtually any environment.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14798/www.aecdaily.com/course/869959
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The hospitality industry thrives on positive customer experiences. These experiences are often shared on social media, and reviews of a restaurant or hotel now commonly include the acoustical aspects of the experiences. Hospitality venues must be constructed to the highest standards in order to achieve the necessary level of customer satisfaction; this includes providing a positive acoustic environment for a wide range of situations. In addition to reviewing the basics of sound, sound movement, and sound measurement, this course details the comprehensive range of applications available to the designer to block unwanted noises, control the acoustics in large venues, and provide complete privacy where it is needed while improving the aesthetic appeal of each space as a result.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14798/www.aecdaily.com/course/879383
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the U.S. and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high-performance envelope strategies such as shading systems in all new building designs. In this course, we look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s2955/www.aecdaily.com/course/894516
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
From home offices to gyms to entertaining, homes have become multifunctional spaces. The use of smart technology provides innovative options for people to control and manage their homes for comfort and well-being on a daily basis. Smart home technology allows people to customize their homes. This course discusses how smart technology can interconnect household spaces to increase comfort, cleanliness, and well-being.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s8547/www.aecdaily.com/course/963191
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Today’s sectional overhead doors are more sophisticated than ever. Options include high-strength glazing for security and insulated steel sections for increased energy efficiency and durability. Code requirements for safety in high wind-load areas, impact resistance to hurricanes, and reductions in air transmission have led to improvements in door technology and hardware. This course examines a range of safety and security options for architects to consider when designing and specifying sectional overhead doors.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s17282/www.aecdaily.com/course/930425
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
As part of a well-designed rainscreen system, single-skin metal panels offer unique aesthetic options combined with the assurance that the building envelope will withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course compares common cladding types; presents single-skin metal panel materials, coatings, finishes, and design options; and examines using single-skin metal panels with a single-component barrier wall to form a complete rainscreen assembly.
This course is one of two identical courses titled Single-Skin Metal Panel Building Envelope Solutions. You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18795/www.aecdaily.com/course/960872
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Air barriers improve the health and comfort of building occupants, improve energy efficiency, and prevent premature degradation of materials, increasing the structure’s life cycle. A successful air and moisture barrier system means under-slab, below-grade, and above-grade systems must work together to provide a continuous barrier. This course looks at above-grade air barrier systems and their types and components. Continuity and compatibility, specification, and installation challenges are also considered.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s9572/www.aecdaily.com/course/962747
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Plantable permeable paving systems continue to grow in scope and practicality as we search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, improve water quality, diminish flooding and erosion, reduce the urban heat island from reradiated heat in our cities and environment, and add attractive open space to building sites and neighborhoods. This course looks at plantable permeable pavement system types, their use, and how they can help achieve sustainability goals.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s683960/www.aecdaily.com/course/964125
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
A rooftop solar photovoltaic system offers myriad benefits to both building owners and the environment; to maximize the benefits, however, it is important to be aware of the potential causes and effects of problems with rooftop installations. This course presents the issues to consider to prevent damaging the roof, voiding the roofing warranty, and incurring additional costs. Solar system mounting options are explored in terms of how they can help eliminate concerns around rooftop installations.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s13011/www.aecdaily.com/course/797126
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The growing global population is creating an increased demand for resources. As a result, there is a need to replace fossil-based, nonrenewable building materials with more bio-based materials, such as bamboo. This course describes the properties of bamboo that make it a more sustainable choice, including its fast growth and CO2 saving and storing potential. It also discusses how active bamboo reforestation and the use of durable bamboo products can lead to CO2 reduction across many industries.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s867585/www.aecdaily.com/course/889638
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Moisture and soil gas beneath concrete slabs can cause a myriad of problems in both residential and commercial applications. The causes and consequences of these problems are reviewed in this course, along with a discussion on the types and characteristics of under-slab water vapor and soil gas barriers.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s421150/www.aecdaily.com/course/925438
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Integrated fire and smoke door systems meet all life safety and compartmentalization requirements without sacrificing an architect’s vision. This course explains how multiple codes and standards apply to an opening, elevator lobby, and elevator shaft and discusses how integrated door systems provide building owners with a complete turnkey door system that uses components engineered to work as a unified whole.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s20103/www.aecdaily.com/course/1010555
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s841414/www.aecdaily.com/course/848681
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
