Architectural Atlas: Energy Efficiency in Construction – Series 1

(3 Hours • LU/HSW • AIA-Approved Continuing Education Course)

Who This Course Is Designed For

All hours are fully recognized for AIA LU/HSW credit and support competency development for:

① AIA Members

AIA Architect Members • AIA Associate Members

② Licensed & Regulated Professionals

Licensed Architects • Interior Designers (IDCEC / ASID / IIDA)

③ Architectural Technology & Design Teams

Architectural Technologists • Senior Architectural Technologists • Architectural Designers • Graduate/Intern Architects • BIM Technologists / Coordinators • Drafting Technicians

④ Construction & Project Delivery Teams

Design-Build Contractors • Construction Managers • Project Managers (PM) • Site Supervisors • Residential Builders • Developers • Developer Technical Staff

⑤ Specialized Consultants

Planning Consultants • Building Code Consultants • Building Envelope Consultants • Sustainability / Energy Modelling Consultants • Life Safety / Fire Protection Engineers • Structural Engineers • Passive House / Net-Zero Specialists • Engineering-related design staff

Course Description

This AIA-approved 3-hour LU/HSW course introduces the foundational principles of energy efficiency in construction, focusing on how architects, builders, and design professionals can integrate energy-efficient strategies into residential and small-building projects.

Participants will explore the definitions, concepts, and performance characteristics of energy-efficient buildings, including essential building physics, high-performance envelopes, mechanical/service interactions, and whole-system design thinking. The course also provides an overview of ENERGY STAR® certification in Canada, as well as key code requirements for energy-efficient homes and buildings.

Designed to build practical competency rather than overwhelm with technical minutiae, this course equips learners with a solid knowledge base to make informed design decisions that support healthier, safer, and more sustainable built environments.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Foundational Concepts of Energy Efficiency

Define Energy Efficiency, Energy-Efficient Homes, and Energy Efficiency in Construction.

Understand the benefits of energy-efficient buildings from both performance and occupant-health perspectives.

2. Principles of Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Examine Energy Context and the fundamentals of Building Physics relevant to heat flow, air movement, and moisture management.

Understand the function and importance of Energy-Efficient Building Envelopes.

Review key Building Service interactions that impact whole-building performance.

Identify the Key Features of an energy-efficient building.

3. Code-Recognized Energy Efficiency Pathways

Learn requirements for ENERGY STAR® certification for commercial and institutional buildings in Canada.

Understand the Energy Efficiency Code Requirements applicable to homes or buildings under Canadian energy codes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this 3-hour program, learners will:

Understand core building-performance principles that define an energy-efficient project.

Identify major components of energy-efficient envelopes and building systems.

Apply whole-systems thinking to improve energy performance in residential and small-building design.

Strengthen competency in energy-efficient construction, aligning with AIA HSW learning requirements.

Course Purpose

The goal of this program is not to elaborate on highly technical calculations, but to provide practical, actionable knowledge that helps architects, builders, and project teams design and deliver higher-performing energy-efficient buildings and achieve better project outcomes.