Academies of Digital Learning
Become an expert on a specific area of interest through our Academies of Digital Learning. These academies allow you to focus on specific areas of design interest while earning some or all of your annual CE requirements. Upon successful completion of each academy, you will receive continuing education credits and a digital badge that demonstrates your mastery and achievement. Proudly display your digital badge on your LinkedIn profile, blog or email signature and showcase your expertise.
Want more information on our Academies of Digital Learning or digital badges? View our FAQ page.
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Water intrusion remains one of the key challenges architects must address to ensure structures are safe, durable, sustainable, and pest-free. While much attention has been focused on permeable vapor barriers, mechanical ventilation, and rainscreen technologies, architects must not neglect foundations, basement walls, and external balconies. A deliberate strategy to halt and contain the flow of liquid water is critical in the fight against mold, rot, and structural degradation. The Waterproofing Academy puts bulk water intrusion into the cross-hairs and provides technical content, webinars, and presentations that specifically focus on water mitigation strategies in air barrier systems, above and below-grade liquid flashing, and pest-control solutions. Pest control, specifically protecting homes from the invasive Formosan Termite, go hand in hand with waterproofing solutions. The key to protecting the building, be it commercial, residential, or part of our national infrastructure begins with a well-informed and comprehensive water management strategy, and the Waterproofing Academy provides the resources architects need to succeed.
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The implications of catastrophic disasters resulting from rapid climate change are increasingly becoming a reality for many parts of the world. As the need for resilience and durability in construction grows, there remains an opportunity to slow and mitigate much of the risk through sustainable design. This is where architects, builders, and manufacturers wield significant influence over our future trajectory. The Sustainability Academy delves into the myriad options available to architects dedicated to fostering a safer, healthier, and more sustainable planet for all. Courses offered cover diverse topics, from strategies for reducing carbon footprints and halting greenhouse gas emissions to recognizing the communal and social advantages of environmental stewardship. Key topics focus on understanding the impacts of supply chain management, transportation costs, and reducing embodied carbon, all with the aim to ensure that occupants inhabit spaces that are environmentally responsible, comfortable, healthy, and beautiful. Join us with a renewed commitment to effecting tangible change for real people by designing spaces that meet and exceed sustainability objectives.
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Science, beauty, and wellness all converge as the Interiors Academy explores how light and color can transform interior design and create vibrant commercial and residential spaces. These learning opportunities provide a wide palette of options to explore everything from the basics of color specification to the challenges and rewards of including light and color in the sustainable design of tiny homes. Interior finishes can impact the health and well-being of occupants in both residential and commercial settings, and the Interiors Academy offers a host of courses, webinars, and presentations specifically crafted to help architects not only understand the science of visible light but learn how to maximize and master the positive impact it can have on the built environment.
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More than a trend, the benefits of biophilic design remain much sought after in the world of architecture. While up to this point much of the biophilic design elements have focused on options like improved daylighting or exposed wood and natural stone, biophilia also includes the human element, specifically art. Lessons learned post-pandemic have put the occupant’s well-being, especially mental and emotional health, front and center when designing interior surfaces. Increasingly new projects and major renovations focus on how to transform traditional offices, health care facilities, schools, and retail spaces into a catalyst for a positive human experience. The Biophilia Academy explores the positive impacts that biophilic elements can have on the health and well-being of building occupants, potential green builder credits, and innovative carbon sequestration strategies through biomorphism and bio-utilization.
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Innovation has provided an abundance of tools for the architect when creating the perfect custom home design. Comfort, performance, automation, biophilia, and sustainable design goals can all be achieved to fit the character of the land, the intent of the project, and, ultimately, the dreams of the client. Understanding how best to leverage the cutting-edge options requires an upleveling of knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge from research and due diligence, wisdom from experience and observing best practices by the masters. The Custom Home Academy is designed to provide both knowledge and wisdom though thoughtful exploration of light, technology, and performance options. We will examine trends in daylighting, the science of tunable lighting, and how incorporating big glass into custom home design can imbue a feeling of luxury. The rapid evolution of home automation will be explored to understand how occupants can easily, and remotely, control doors, skylights, windows, and environmental controls to manage the custom home space. We will also look at how Zero Energy Ready homes are making an impact on climate change, and how programs like these are shifting the expectations of clients.
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Architects today hold a unique position to create interior spaces that are not only safe and functional but also welcoming and accessible to all. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be seen as an opportunity to include innovative designs, products, and finishes that create a space that embraces change. With one in four U.S. adults living with a disability and demographics shifting due to aging Baby Boomers, architects and designers face a critical juncture to understand the breadth of options, challenges, and opportunities surrounding this ADA compliance and design. This academy focuses on diverse design methodologies to promote equity for individuals with disabilities today and provides insight into design elements that contribute to a healthier and safer environment, both emotionally and physically. Through these discussions, the academy aims to equip architects and designers with the tools and insights necessary to craft spaces that prioritize accessibility, well-being, and inclusivity, thus enriching the lives of all occupants, both now and in the future.
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Designing, specifying, and installing roofing systems remains one of the most important aspects of creating a durable, energy efficient, safe, and resilient structure. Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to types and styles of roofing systems, and being able to specify with confidence is critical for architects and designers. This academy will provide an overview of the state of roofing systems, including new technologies and materials that are being developed to address uplift, solar exposure, and water intrusion. Roofing options need not be confusing, and this academy covers everything from fleece membranes and urethane adhesives, to exterior VOCs, PVC roofing, white EPDM, and the critical importance of understanding roofing wind speed ratings, using and mastering electronic leak detection devices and warranties.
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Evolution in products, strategies, and technologies has sparked a heightened recognition of the utility of glass in contemporary building design. From retail and workplaces to arts centers and high-end residences, glass has become integral to the architectural landscape, creating a light-filled, high-performing, and energy-efficient built environment. Coatings and insulating glass units effectively manage solar heat and reduce glare, improving overall energy performance. Technological advancements ensure facades and curtain walls appear seamless, serving as the first line of defense against severe weather and both natural and man-made disasters. With growing concerns about climate change, glass manufacturers are paving the way to reduce both occupied and embodied carbon emissions. They achieve this by producing energy-efficient glass products, adopting sustainable manufacturing processes, and promoting designs that enhance a building's overall sustainability. The Glass in Architecture Academy offers a comprehensive suite of courses and touchpoints for architects, allowing them to stay current with glass specification, manufacturing, and design. These courses and articles are specifically curated to address the evolving demands of performance in a changing world through the careful specification of glass.
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Navigating the multifamily and residential housing market continues to be a challenge as occupancies and rent growth, coupled with volatile interest rates put the bite on developers and building owners. However, one steadfast path to success has remained - deliver accessible, sustainable and high-performing units. Understanding new technologies, creating spaces that are flexible and healthy for occupants, and designing projects that can both reduce the energy demand and provide durable and safe spaces is a winning approach in these stormy times. The Multifamily Housing Academy proves a comprehensive solution set of resources that span all multifamily housing projects, from affordable to luxury high-end.
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From economy, to sustainability, to beauty and aesthetics, wood continues to be an evergreen favorite for architects, designers, and occupants. Whether designing for light frame or mass timber structural systems, the versatility of wood can contribute to thermal, acoustic, seismic and fire performance requirements as well as a sustainable supply chain. As new projects in the public and civic arena open, wood continues to offer high performance durability with a low-carbon footprint and enduring beauty.
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Science, research, and the application wisdom accrued over time all come together in the art of architectural acoustics. The beauty of a space is no longer constrained to simply the visual impression, today acoustic design is as important, or possibly even more critical, to the occupant experience. A “total acoustics” approach to design is now a requirement for many projects, especially performance venues, education institutions and health care facilities. The audible experience of the occupant - from the time they enter the space until they leave -must be thoughtfully designed to enhance, limit, and control sound transmission. The Acoustics Academy provides a look at innovative and contemporary acoustical choices that complement the built environment, regardless of the desired aesthetics. It examines the basics of sound transmission in commercial spaces, to creating venues that blend cultural context with performance requirements. This academy looks at how integration of cutting-edge sound blocking, and noise control elements can play a necessary part in both occupant well-being and sustainable design goals.
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As architects and designers learn more about the relationship between the built environment and the health and well-being of occupants, the importance of indoor environmental quality becomes urgent. Besides aesthetics, key factors like air quality, sound, temperature, and light must be considered to create a space that is healthy, productive, and beautiful. Additionally, the health of the planet is at stake, so incorporating sustainable materials is critical. This academy offers a focused exploration of best practices that support sustainable design specifically related to enhanced indoor environmental quality. Topics examined include trends, increasing productivity, updated regulations, and market shifts, while keeping sustainable design front and center.
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Maintaining a competitive edge in our rapidly evolving business landscape is no easy task. Old systems and the inability to adapt to the latest technology can put many industry professionals on their heels when it comes to meeting client demands. However, leaning into the winds of change can prove to be both an operational advantage and a gateway to greater creative control for architects, designers, and structural engineers. The Business and Technology of Architecture Academy focuses specifically on how to best integrate new design software and communication tools to maximize the available resources and returns in this digital age. Streamlining processes, responding to design changes, and incorporating client requests in real-time is not only possible, but also a must for thriving architects and designers.
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Preparing for both the expected, and unexpected elements that can impact a building, should be a priority for architects, designers, structural engineers, building owners, and occupants. Over the course of its useful life buildings will need to contend with the ever-changing whims of nature, as well as the increasing demands of occupants and visitors. The Mastering Movement™ Academy looks at the impact the local environment has on a build and offers resources and solutions to help provide durability, expected performance, and a healthy space for occupants. From protectives surfaces that provide durable and low-maintenance performance for doors and walls, to louvers that arrest moisture intrusion while supporting the beauty of a structure, we will investigate the vital nature of combining aesthetic and performance goals, in a constantly active environment.
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Amidst today's unprecedented challenges—climate change, economic shifts, and pandemics— metal building innovations shine. In architecture, metal walls and roofing offer flexible, sustainable, high-performance solutions that address these issues while infusing design with freshness. From captivating color palettes to easy installation, they redefine architectural building solutions. The Metal Architecture Academy delves into metal’s many possibilities. For instance, metal walls composed of metal composite material (MCM), insulated metal panels (IMPs), and single-skin metal panels offer durable and stunning architectural facades in a myriad of shapes and finishes. And, when it comes to low-slope metal, steep-slope metal, and IMP roofing and components, the designs, energy savings, and durability attributes are innumerable. Discover transformative advancements like solar-integrated panels, reflective coatings, and above-sheathing ventilation, which redefine sustainability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics in modern architecture. Dive into these courses, which explore the latest trends and methods leveraging metal's versatility for progressive, eco-friendly structures that push architectural boundaries.
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From its ancient roots in Roman times to its contemporary applications, glass has stood the test of time as a visually stunning and structurally robust building material. Today, it continues to play a vital role in design, offering sustainable solutions, enhancing human comfort, and driving innovative architectural concepts. The Glass and Glazing Academy highlights the latest advancements in glass and glazing technology, ranging from energy-efficient coatings to protective glazing systems. Moreover, it provides insights into strategies for creating inspiring learning environments, and shines a light on the crucial role protective glass and glazing play in safeguarding vulnerable establishments like schools, hospitals, banks, and movie theaters. With its diverse possibilities to elevate the built environment, glass remains a tried-and-true material for the ages.
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This training program will introduce architects to the concepts, science, and mitigation of thermal bridging in building envelope systems. The four-course academy includes a review of how current NYS energy code regulates thermal bridging, and then explores thermal bridging in three common construction types and building case studies. The case studies highlight the physics of thermal bridging within specific details, impacts thermal bridging on building performance, durability and comfort, and common design solutions to mitigate thermal bridging and achieve desired thermal performance targets.
Academies FAQs
Please click on each question to view answer
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What is an academy?
An academy is a collection of editorial-rich courses around a specific area of interest such as: education, multifamily housing, sustainability, acoustics, etc. Academy courses include a variety of course formats including, articles, webinars, multimedia and research reports.
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What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is a graphical representation of an accomplishment, skill or interest that can be earned and shared online. Each digital badge contains verified metadata that outlines your achievement and the criteria required to earn the digital badge. This allows colleagues, peers and employers to view and verify accomplishment and skills.
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How do I earn a digital badge?
Digital badges are earned by successfully completing all the courses within a specific academy. Once you have successfully completed and passed all the quizzes within an academy, you will then be able to view and download your digital badge from within the “My Academy Progress” page.
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What are the benefits of a digital badge?
Digital badges are a great way to showcase your achievement or mastery within a particular field or interest. They can be shared on various social media platforms, email signatures, websites and resumes.
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How do I share my digital badge?
You can share your digital badge on social media platforms or embed your badge in a website or resume through the “My Academy Progress” page on the CE Center. Additionally, you can export your badge to other badge-storing platforms, such as Mozilla backpack.
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Are academies free of charge?
Yes. Like all the courses on the CE Center, our Academies of Digital Learning are 100% free of charge and accessible 24/7.