Latest CPD materials
Here are the latest CPD materials to have been assessed and approved by the RIBA. These include both new and recently-revised CPD materials.
New
During our work in the commercial sector, in a number of historic buildings over the past 12 years, we have witnessed numerous examples of how new 3D data capture, scanning and digital replication technologies can provide a range of benefits to the conservation and reinstatement process of historic properties. In this seminar we illustrate the various data capture technologies available to suit the recording of small objects and architectural details through to the complete scanning of buildings and structures. We illustrate the benefits of this process for architects, developers, property owners and conservation officers. We then refer to case studies to show how these technologies have been used in practice. This seminar will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the workflow from initial 3D data capture, data manipulation and the various options to create physical or virtual outputs.
- Understand the different types of 3D data capture recording techniques and applications.
- Understand the benefits of scanning for the built environment, objects and architectural features.
- Understand some of the processes available to replicate historical features and objects from the built environment.
Revised
This seminar provides an overview of Axminster carpet from a design perspective. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand what Axminster carpet is, where it is used and why.
- Understand the differences between narrow loom and broadloom and the advantages and disadvantages of using either.
- Understand the design possibilities using electric jacquard looms and the process of designing carpets using a specialised program.
- Understand the importance of colour consideration when designing and manufacturing carpet.
New
This seminar looks at the design parameters for commercial washrooms, calculation of washroom provision, types of washrooms and design configuration requirements. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand how to interpret the Building Regulations, HSE requirements and industry standards.
- Understand how to interpret technical standards such as BS 6465-1, BS 6465-2 and BS 6465-4.
- Understand how to interpret British Standard BS 8300 for accessible washroom provisions.
- Understand the BCO guide to specification for office washroom provisions.
- Understand BREEAM sustainability requirements.
New
During our work in the commercial sector, in a number of historic buildings over the past 12 years, we have witnessed numerous examples of bad practice by contractors that do not respect the significance of the space and fail to implement simple measures that protect the building fabric and historic surfaces. This may be the building masonry itself, monuments, painted or gilded surfaces, glazing or mural paintings. In some cases, this has resulted in irreparable damage and in others necessitated costly repair. This seminar is designed to raise awareness within the profession and other related disciplines that poor practice is relatively common and there are standards in place designed to mitigate harm. Attendees will become familiar with these standards and how they can positively impact work on historic sites, raising standards and potentially save money in the long run by avoiding the need for costly repair. This seminar will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the meaning of listed building status.
- Understand and appreciate the concept of significance.
- Understand recognised national and international standards.
- Understand health and safety risks in historic materials.
- Understand how to recognize historic material.
- Understand the impact of bad practice.
- Understand protection, methods and materials.
New
Decorative surfaces are a subset of wall paintings, commonly repetitive, non-figurative, polychrome finishes to flat or relief carving or moulding. They may consist of flat painting, ‘picking out’ of architectural detailing, stenciling, gilding, trompe l’oeil or stylised architectural features such as ashlar blockwork, marbling or wood graining. This seminar introduces the different approaches to preserving and re-presenting decorative surfaces, as well as making participants aware of the potential for discovery of previously over-covered wall paintings or decorative surfaces. Following the seminar, a practical session will introduce the techniques of gilding or stenciling. This seminar will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand what is meant by decorative surface in the context of historic buildings.
- Understand the potential for discovery of wall paintings and significant decorative surfaces in historic buildings.
- Understand and appreciate the difference between conservation, restoration and replication.
- Understand and gain practical knowledge of some decorative techniques.
New
This CPD looks at some of the important considerations when deciding what components should be used when designing a through wall solution. It looks specifically at the 6 key material layers required to build a though wall solution, starting at the structure of the building, going outwards and finishing at the facade. Both lightweight steel and timber frame builds are explored, building on the components and concluding with a complete system. By examining each material in detail, different product options are explored in combination with industry standards to identify which products meets the requirements. The area of fire ratings is explored in detail and product compatibility considerations for timber frame and steel frame are discussed and case studies explored. This CPD will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand individual product performance considerations for sheathing boards, fixings, envelope sealing solutions, facade support frames, insulation and facades.
- Understand fire, racking, acoustics, mechanical performance and exposure considerations of sheathing boards.
- Understand fire rated wall solutions and how to create and specify a through wall fire rated solution.
- Understand the purpose of a facade and the different types of facade available.
- Understand industry standards and legislation with a focus on fire testing.
New
This seminar aims to cover design, detailing and installation and provide an understanding of how windows interface with the different construction methods and build-ups commonly used. It discusses how build sequence can affect the design, installation and sealing methodologies used, and how manufacturers can assist from early stage guidance and support through to provision of full interface details used for successful installation. It will help you to understand the following topic.
- Understand the different methods of wall construction and how windows are typically detailed for installation.
- Understand the importance of weathertight sealants, and the materials available.
- Understand the impact sequence of build, and sequence of window installation can have on interface detailing and the overall build.
- Understand the suppliers’ responsibilities regarding design and compliance to building regulations.
- Understand installation methodologies, and protection available during the build program.
New
This CPD is aimed at newer designers, with knowledge on the fundamentals of washroom design and BIM but who would like to learn more about BIM and how to use it in the context of specifying a washroom. It may also be a useful refresher for the more seasoned designer and BIM enabled practitioner. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the need for BIM.
- Understand BIM data and geometry standards and levels of definition.
- Understand specification guidance for washrooms.
- Understand visualisation and modelling considerations.
- Understand sanitaryware selection.
New
This CPD looks at the benefits of good daylight design, including physiological, environmental and financial benefits. Attendees will receive clarification of relevant Building Regulations and standards, examples of how current industry practices can be improved, differences between existing daylighting materials, insight into new daylighting technologies and examples of climate-based daylight modelling in several key sectors. This seminar will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand what the problem is, how the industry falls short of gaining the most benefit from natural daylight in building design and operation.
- Understand the minimum levels of daylighting required for healthy, efficient and productive buildings.
- Understand why good daylighting design is important and what benefits it can bring.
- Understand Building Regulation and relevant standards including BREEAM and WELL environmental standards.
- Understand the difference between existing daylighting materials
- Understand some examples of new daylighting technologies.
- Understand how to conduct climate-based daylight modelling and how to interpret the results.
New
Digital entertainment plays a huge part in the modern lifestyle and is something that can be truly astounding when experienced in the correct environment. Dedicated and convertible entertainment spaces need careful thought and professional design to perform well, and ultimately wow the homeowner. Discover the principles of how to design and implement these entertainment spaces. This CPD will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the difference between a home cinema and a media room and the basic vocabulary used.
- Understand how to raise awareness of home cinemas and media rooms, how to help clients choose and specify rooms and raise the standard of the rooms.
- Understand all the components that make a good home cinema room and media room.
- Understand the design principles of sound and vision.
- Understand how to work with a system designer and look at requirements.
New
This seminar looks at the difference between glass and polycarbonate when used in roof glazing and what regulations apply to roof glazing materials. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand and recognise types of overhead glazing available.
- Understand the key terms around non-fragility and the non-fragility testing processes.
- Understand and appreciate the key concerns around rooflight safety.
- Understand specification and designer responsibilities.
- Understand the main classifications and where to find further information to assist in preparing a roof glazing specification.
Revised
This seminar looks at the electric vehicle industry, charging points and the future development of the industry. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the electric vehicle industry.
- Understand issues regarding the location of charging points, including planning guidance.
- Understand how to manage charge points effectively.
- Understand how electric vehicle chargers work, best practices and cost-effective solutions for charger unit installation.
- Understand how the electric vehicle industry could develop in the future.
New
This seminar provides an overview of lifts and their design and specification. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the history of lifts.
- Understand the categories of lifts and lift sub-systems.
- Understand lift dimensions, load bearing walls and steel structure
- Understand safety systems.
- Understand environmental performance.
- Understand accessibility issues.
- Understand the interaction between architects and lifts specialists.
New
Why and how to light external space to provide an experience in the hours of darkness, how through applying light in layers we create an identity that captures the community, makes them proud and encourages them to spend more time in the space, to increase the visitor numbers and fundamentally to spend more money. The CPD will look at the movement of people, of how we have changed where we live and how technology is enabling us to change the way we design, allowing us to value external space more than ever. It will also look at the context of a project, to make sure we don’t lose the character and that a lighting masterplan is a key part of a multi-disciplinary design. Finally, the CPD will introduce methods of how to apply light with a number of case studies to introduce best practice. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand how technology and the way we live is challenging how we illuminate plazas and landscapes.
- Understand how, with a collaborative approach and clear communication, lighting can be integrated into its surroundings and not an added extra as poles or bollards providing visual noise.
- Understand the key methods of how to apply light with best practice examples.
Revised
This seminar details how legislation can affect specification, and how to ensure building safety and security measures are met. The attendee will acquire a wider understanding of the different door controls available and where they are best placed. This CPD will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the different types of door controls and why to use them.
- Understand specification considerations.
- Understand the legislation affecting door controls.
- Understand the effects of a door closer.
- Understand relevant standards, regulations and fire tests.
- Understand fitting, adjustment and impact on door performance.
New
This seminar looks at the factors to consider when protecting concrete structures subject to Biogenic Sulphuric Acid (BSA) corrosion in wastewater treatment facilities. It will help you to understand the key parameters necessary to determine successful diagnosis and protection strategies for these structures, and how to identify the types of extreme conditions encountered in wastewater facilities. The seminar also explores existing material technologies available to protect structures and how to test and measure the key properties of chemical resistance. Additionally, you will learn which British standards and guidelines should be used to quantify the performance of protective coating systems and membranes. This seminar covers the following topics:
- The key parameters to determine successful diagnosis and protection strategies for structures in wastewater treatment facilities.
- The types of extreme conditions encountered in wastewater facilities.
- How the quality and quantity of wastewater has evolved over time and the issues that have arisen from this change.
- The evaluation of existing material technologies to protect structures.
- How to test and measure the key properties of chemical resistance, crack bridging and resistance to Biogenic Sulfuric Acid (BSA) corrosion.
- The relevant British standards and guidelines for the test methods that can be used to quantify the performance of protective coating systems and membranes.
- Examples of best practice where the use of correct material specifications has ensured suitable and successful applications.
New
This seminar looks at the design and specification of resin flooring. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand environment and design drivers for the selection of seamless flooring for commercial and public buildings.
- Understand specifying suitable substrates for seamless flooring applications.
- Understand the different types of resin flooring that are currently available in the market.
- Understand the relevant British standards and guidelines that are used for CE marking and the key physical properties necessary to produce performance flooring specifications.
- Understand test methods for slip resistance.
- Understand design considerations for seamless flooring applications.
- Understand sustainability and environmental assessment methods.
- Understand examples of best practice where seamless flooring has been successfully used.
New
This presentation provides specification information about BioLPG and when it can be used as an alternative off-grid energy solution for heating and hot water. Chemically identical to conventional LPG but created from renewable, ethically sourced feedstocks, it is a greener alternative to the traditional off-grid fuels. For specifiers the fact that BioLPG is a drop-in, renewable fuel, means that there won’t be the need for businesses currently using LPG to invest in new equipment or appliances. This CPD will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand what BioLPG is and its benefits.
- Understand key legislation and Government incentives affecting choice of off-grid fuel.
- Understand off-grid energy solutions using BioLPG.
- Understand site requirements and specification.
New
This presentation will cover the key considerations when specifying residential doors. An understanding of door construction and material selection will be provided whilst considering how to meet the legal obligations of UK Building Regulations and European Conformity Regulations. This CPD should make you competent in specifying the most appropriate residential door in line with Building Regulations for your building. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the key considerations when specifying residential doors.
- Understand how doors are impacted by Building Regulations and CE Marking.
- Understand how door construction can impact performance
- Understand fire door compliance.
- Understand how to test door performance for large scale projects.
- Understand how door design can impact performance.
New
This seminar covers standby power, why it is needed and how power fits into planning a building. The CPD provides an insight into standby power requirements and highlights system vulnerability. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the importance of standby power.
- Understand applications for standby power in fire, intruder, CCTV and access control systems.
- Understand standby power technology, past, present and future.
New
The aim of this article is to provide you with a technical insight into the modern world of structural waterproofing in the UK. This includes the types of systems that are used to protect below-ground structures from water from the ground, all of which are driven by the code of practice for the waterproofing industry, British Standard 8102:2009.
New
This seminar looks at the use of concrete tiles for pitched roofing. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the reasons a pitched roof is beneficial to design.
- Understand the options and applications for concrete roof tiles.
- Understand the production process for concrete roof tiles.
- Understand relevant British Standards for the manufacture, testing and installation of concrete roof tiles.
- Understand why concrete is a sustainable product to use.
New
This CPD looks at the history and progression of using composite membranes and technical fabrics as a viable construction material. The evolution of tensile architecture began in 1964 and has now become a credible choice to create both a sustainable and cost-effective option relevant to today’s innovative environment. This CPD aims to teach and inspire creative and beautiful buildings referencing some of the world’s most imaginative architecture. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the history of the flexible composite and tensile architecture.
- Understand what a flexible composite is.
- Understand light transparency in tensile architecture buildings.
- Understand applications in different sectors.
- Understand micro climate facades.
- Understand what a pre-stressed coated fabric is.
- Understand the latest technology and issues of longevity, maintenance, sustainability and recyclability.
New
This CPD will cover the importance of daylight and ventilation in the design of a healthy home and will look at the evidence to support architectural philosophies and translate your experience into strong, rational, pertinent reasoning to use with your clients. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the basics of daylight and human response to it.
- Understand what makes a healthy home and the importance of daylight and ventilation when homeowners budget for a project.
- Understand the active house principles of comfort, environment and energy.
- Understand circadian lighting, a more holistic measure of daylight’s impact.
- Understand indoor climate and how to combat indoor pollution.
- Understand research around daylight control and case studies of roof windows in residential projects.
New
This CPD introduces some of the issues to consider when planning a public realm lighting scheme and provides the attendee with a basic understanding of some of the technical terms used in the lighting design industry. It will also highlight some of the dos and don’ts of lighting in the public realm and provide information on why LED and other environmentally sustainable lighting is being utilised more and more in the industry. This CPD will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand lighting as a way of enhancing architecture and providing a safe public realm.
- Understand how and why we use light.
- Understand the placement of the light.
- Understand the importance of good lighting.
- Understand which light to use.
- Understand the amount of light, colour temperature and colour rendering.
New
This article looks at the use of glazed screens and gives an insight to the standards and what is achievable today. It will help you to understand the following:
- Understand and acknowledge the risk of smoke in a building fire.
- Understand how to advise the client on The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Understand how to ensure installations are completed with the correct documentation.
- Understand how to ensure that screens supplied form part of a building fire safety system.
New
There are now various ways to insulate aluminium to ensure thermal efficiency. This article looks back at the history of thermal breaking of aluminium and brings the process up date with the latest technology. For the specifier it is important to note what type of thermal break should be used in which system and to determine the suitability of the system to be chosen for any given project. This article should give you a better understanding of the efficiencies that can be made by specifying modern aluminium fenestration systems and understand the following:
- Understand the benefits of specifying thermally insulated aluminium and have a basic knowledge of aluminium thermal break development.
- Understand how to be able to interpret basic thermal simulation graphics.
- Understand how to identify issues of cold bridging and how to avoid.
- Understand how to select a system design to suit the buildings’ requirements.
Revised
This seminar looks at the dry non-abrasive facade cleaning process. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand traditional facade cleaning systems.
- Understand dry non-abrasive facade cleaning, methodology, features and key benefits.
- Understand specific applications where dry non-abrasive cleaning has been used.
- Understand how this process cares for listed and historic properties.
New
This online learning will enable you to gain a basic understanding of the functionality and use of the NBS Chorus platform. After taking this course you will be able to open, explore and create projects in NBS Chorus. You will also be able to add content and edit and create specifications. This online course covers the following topics:
- How to log in to NBS Chorus.
- How to create a project, add specifications and edit specifications.
- How to collaborate within NBS Chorus.
- How to use the Revit Plug-in with NBS Chorus.
- How to print a spec from NBS Chorus.
New
This seminar looks at how vinyl fabric is made and how the manufacturing process can be adjusted to make the fabric suitable for every potential application. Attendees will be able to differentiate between contract and domestic vinyl and the necessary certifications required by building and health and safety regulations. The seminar will help you to understand the following topics:
- Understand the origins of coated fabrics.
- Understand how coated fabrics can be enhanced.
- Understand the challenge of specification and choosing the correct parameters depending on the end use.
- Understand sustainability and environmental issues and the balance with performance.
- Understand how to care for vinyl to ensure longevity.