AIA webinars

Well-designed sunscreens and window shades can be critical for preventing excessive sun heat gain, minimizing energy use and increasing occupant comfort. By shielding rather than blocking windows, they can make natural light and retaining connection to the exterior surroundings possible. Software modelling developments have made it easy to predict energy savings and optimize the design.

The capabilities of modern software and modelling are discussed, and examples of exterior stainless steel weather screens are provided, including louvers, woven, perforated and vegetated. Innovative projects from around the world are shared.

Both sides of the sunscreen are inherently high visibility applications but the side facing the building is generally not rain-washed and rarely manually cleaned. This and other aspects of sunscreen design can present unique corrosion challenges that can shorten the aesthetic and sometimes functional life of sunscreens. The unique design and stainless steel selection considerations for sunscreens are discussed and the corrosion performance of stainless steel will be compared with other metals.

When proper selection and system design, long service life materials like stainless steel can provide 100-year or longer service life without material replacement, which is critical to aesthetics, function, and safety. Stainless steel is highly recycled with no loss of material properties, and, with its’ high level of corrosion resistance, reuse and restoration during renovation are common. Products made from stainless steel can extend the life of other materials like stone, masonry and wood to prevent premature failure; contribute to reduced building energy use; extend the life of vegetated roofs; help reduce water requirements; and provide other benefits. With the passage of a new ASTM E60 standard providing guidance on the handling of stainless steel in LCA and industry documentation, it has become easier to document the sustainability of stainless steel. Data comparing the recyclability of stainless steel with other architectural metals will be provided. Application and project examples will be used to illustrate the many ways that stainless steel is contributing to more sustainable design.

Most of the world’s population lives in corrosive locations with pollution, coastal and/or deicing salts. While architectural metal corrosion rates in different environments are studied by corrosion specialists, translating complex evaluation methods into simple guidance can be challenging. This livestreamed workshop reviews the use of an internationally used scoring system developed by the presenter for IMOA to assist specifiers with evaluation of the severity of exterior environments using weather data, pollution levels, salt exposure, acid rain and design considerations that affect performance. Attendees will learn how to use readily available information to select an appropriate stainless steel for aesthetic applications. Swimming pool environments will also be discussed. Case studies will be used and literature provided.

Learn about the most common stainless steel finishes and alloys and their availability for different products from sheet to structural sections. This presentation includes the basic information that must be conveyed in a project specification. Because service environment influences both appropriate stainless steel alloy and finish selection, the video includes an introduction to the exterior environmental factors that affect performance.

As the frequency and magnitude of natural and human-induced disasters increase, resilient design becomes critical for public safety. This presentation reviews stainless steel’s compatibility with resilient design, including its energy absorption capabilities (i.e. blasts, earthquakes, landslides), use in flood control, fire performance, and high wind loading. Appropriate alloy selection in terms of corrosion performance and the new AISC 370-21 and revised ASCE 8-22 structural design standards for stainless steel are both discussed. Highly experienced in resilient design, speaker Catherine Houska serves on all resiliency related standard committees.

Structural design with austenitic and duplex stainless steels has become much easier with the following three publications: the new AISC 370 Specification for Structural Stainless Steel, the AISC 313 Code of Standard Practice, and a substantial revision of ASCE/SEI 8. This presentation provides a review of these important resources for architects, structural engineers, and others interested in learning more about stainless steel construction. Guidance on appropriate alloy selection and specification is provided for a range of applications, from low-profile glass curtain walls to bridges. Presenter Catherine Houska serves on all relevant standard committees and offers significant experience providing metallurgical support for both aesthetic and functional structural projects.