
Master the guts of building design and construction by learning the sequence of construction, materials, and systems, from site utilities to MEP and closeout, with a construction engineering vocabulary.
Assemble curtain wall panels offsite, hoisted into place, using embedded slab-edge channels, wedge bolts, and anchor plates for multi-direction adjustments; install mullions, transoms, vision glass, insulation, and fire-stopped gaps.
Explore the building enclosure, or envelope, from roof to foundation, and learn how water intrusion, heat transfer, vapor drive, and air leakage shape durable, energy-efficient walls, openings, and details.
Learn how cold form steel stud exterior walls function as nonstructural curtain walls, compare bypass and infill framing, and understand insulation, weather barriers, cladding, and fire stop considerations.
Explore cladding as the building’s exterior skin, providing weather resistance and the first impression through metal panels, brick veneer, stone veneer, and stucco, with installation details.
Define curtain walls as non load-bearing exterior walls hung from the structure, compare storefronts and curtain walls, and outline glazing types, anchorage, and water management.
Explore roof design and construction for commercial buildings, comparing low-slope and steep-roof systems, safety, materials, installation sequencing, water management, energy efficiency, and green roof and solar integration.
Explore door, frame, and hardware design essentials, including egress requirements, door swings, material types, submittals, and cross-trade coordination for reliable performance.
Explore how windows, glass, and glazing shape natural light, thermal performance, and aesthetics, explaining U-values, double and triple glazing, glass types, and installation methods.
No matter which role you have in a building construction project, it is vital that you understand the "guts" of a building in order to make a positive impact. For contractors, engineers, architects, real estate developers and facilities managers, it takes years or even decades to learn the materials and systems in a building. The typical source of this education is on-the-job because this material is not taught in schools. Young professionals spend an extraordinary amount of time trying to understand the complexities of a modern building. Every project is different and the materials and systems can change drastically from one building to the next. Time can be better spent by adding value to projects instead of learning terminology and construction sequencing. The lessons in the course have been developed to boil down years of on-the-job training into high-impact, bite-sized classes.