Original Date: September 24, 2025
Duration: 1 hour
Credits: 1.0 AIA LU
Sponsor: Think Wood
Cost: Free
Mass timber and light-frame wood construction are recognized as essential tools for reducing embodied carbon in the built environment. This course provides a comprehensive look at how structural materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued- laminated timber (glulam) can impact the carbon footprint of new construction and retrofits while meeting performance, safety, and aesthetic goals. Participants will explore the distinction between operational and embodied carbon, understand the carbon benefits of wood systems, and learn how to integrate these materials into projects of all types. Through real-world case studies, attendees will see how innovative wood structures are achieving net-zero or low-carbon targets, as well as how design teams are leveraging various tools to make informed material choices. The session will also cover practical guidance on specifying wood to meet sustainability standards such as LEED, WELL, and others, aligning building projects with evolving decarbonization goals.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between operational and embodied carbon and explain why both must be addressed to meet performance targets.
- Identify the structural, environmental, and design benefits of mass timber products such as CLT and glulam.
- Interpret carbon data to compare wood products with alternative structural materials in terms of carbon impact.
- Evaluate real-world case studies of net-zero or low-carbon buildings that successfully integrated mass timber or other wood products.
- Apply best practices for specifying wood to meet recognized sustainability certifications and rating systems.
Sponsored by
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- 1 Quiz
- Course Certificate
Credits: 1.0 AIA LU
Instructional Delivery Method: On-Demand: E-learning
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance learner preparation: N/A
AIA CES program approval expiration date: 10/08/2028
AIA CES Provider statement: Endeavor Business Media is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10084542. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
Credits:
This CEU is registered with the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) for continuing education credits.
