Architect Exam Podcast

067 - Types of Insulation: Materials, R-Values, and Assemblies

Types of insulation explained, from fiberglass batts to spray foam to rigid board to continuous insulation. This episode covers every major insulation type you need to know for the ARE exam and real-world practice. You'll learn how heat transfer works through buildings, then walk through each material one by one. Fiberglass vs mineral wool, open cell vs closed cell spray foam, EPS vs XPS vs polyiso, and why continuous insulation is the only way to solve thermal bridging. Every section connects back to how these materials behave in real wall assemblies, not just what their R-value is on a spec sheet. 📝 Key topics covered: * Fiberglass insulation vs mineral wool insulation * Open cell vs closed cell spray foam * EPS vs XPS vs polyiso rigid board insulation * Continuous insulation and thermal bridging * Blown-in insulation and dense pack cellulose * How insulation choice affects vapor management ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:48) Free Study Notes (3:07) How Heat Transfer Works (6:49) Fiberglass and Mineral Wool Batts (9:51) Blown-In Insulation (12:25) Spray Foam: Open vs Closed Cell (15.28) Rigid Board Insulation (17:58) Continuous Insulation (20:51) SIPs, ICFs, Radiant Barriers (22:54) Vapor Barriers and Insulation (24:15) Common Insulation Exam Traps (26:08) ARE Study Materials (27:14) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post and grab free study notes: Types of Insulation: Materials, R-Values, and Assemblies [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/types-of-insulation/] 📝 Free 2-page insulation study notes: youngarchitect.com/insulation [https://youngarchitect.com/insulation] 🎯 ARE 101 Membership (access all ARE courses) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/] 🎯 ARE Boot Camp (10-week coaching program) [https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/] 📚 Individual courses: * PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-planning-and-design/] * PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-development-and-documentation/] * Building Codes 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/] * Mechanical Systems 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/] * CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/cdt-exam-prep/] * PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/] * CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/] * PcM 101 (Practice Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/] * PjM 101 (Project Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/] * AIA Contracts 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/]

066 - Types of HVAC Systems and How to Choose

There are a lot of different types of HVAC systems, and if you're studying for the ARE or coordinating with mechanical engineers, you need to know what each one does and when to use it. In this episode, Layla breaks down every major HVAC system type into four categories: all-air, water-based, refrigerant-based, and packaged systems. She covers VAV, fan coil units, VRF, rooftop units, PTACs, radiant floor heating, chilled beams, DOAS, split systems, and more. Then she walks through how to match each system to different building types, which is exactly how the PPD and PDD exams test this material. If mechanical system questions have been tripping you up, this one's for you. 📝 Key Topics Covered: * VAV systems: the workhorse of commercial office buildings * Fan coil units: individual room control for hotels and apartments * VRF systems: flexible refrigerant-based zoning for mid-rise and retrofit projects * Rooftop units and PTACs: simple packaged systems for retail and hotels * Radiant floor heating: when forced air can't reach the occupants * DOAS: why ventilation gets its own dedicated system * Matching HVAC systems to building types for the ARE ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (2:32) How to Think About HVAC (4:17) All-Air Systems (7:47) Water-Based Systems (10:32) Packaged and Refrigerant Systems (13:13) Matching Systems to Buildings (18:22) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post with diagrams and a building-type matching table: Types of HVAC Systems and How to Choose [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/types-of-hvac-systems/] 📝 Download the free HVAC study notes: Free HVAC Study Notes [https://youngarchitect.com/hvac] 🎯 Join ARE Boot Camp, our 10-week coaching program: ARE Boot Camp [https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/] 📚 Get access to all ARE courses with the ARE 101 Membership: ARE 101 Membership [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/] Individual ARE and CSI Exam Courses: * Mechanical Systems 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/] * PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-planning-and-design/] * PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-development-and-documentation/] * Building Codes 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/] * CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/cdt-exam-prep/] * CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/ccca-exam-prep/] * PcM 101 (Practice Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/] * PjM 101 (Project Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/] * CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/] * PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/] * AIA Contracts 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/]

65.5 - ARE Summer School 2026: Promotion Ends Tues May 26th

ARE Summer School 2026 is here. Our annual two-week promotion runs May 12th through May 26th, with deals on ARE Boot Camp, the ARE 101 Course Membership, and CSI certification courses. In this episode, Michael breaks down everything included in this year's summer school promotion, explains the difference between Boot Camp and ARE 101, shares some free resources, and gives an update on what's been happening behind the scenes at Young Architect over the past year. Whether you're just getting started with the architect exam or you've been studying for a while, this is a great time to jump in. 📝 Key topics covered: * ARE Summer School 2026 promotion details * ARE Boot Camp vs ARE 101 Membership * Summer Boot Camp session dates * CSI certification pre-order deals * Free CDT webinar, study presentation, and 50+ podcast study notes * Podcast and community updates ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (0:31) What's New at Young Architect (3:54) ARE Summer School 2026 (5:04) Boot Camp vs ARE 101 (7:23) ARE Boot Camp Summer Deal (8:24) ARE 101 First Month Deal (9:49) CSI Certification Deals (12:51) Free Resources (15:16) Podcast Update (19:24) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-summer-school-2026/] 🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp [https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/] 🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/] 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: * PcM 101 (Practice Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/] * PjM 101 (Project Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/] * CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/] * PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/] * PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-planning-and-design/] * PDD 101 (Project Development and Documentation) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-development-and-documentation/] * Building Codes 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/] * Building Systems 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/] * AIA Contracts 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/] 📚 CSI Certification Courses: * CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/cdt-exam-prep/] * CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/ccca-exam-prep/]

065 - How to Study for the Architect Exam - Trailer

How to study for the architect exam is the one topic I know more about than anything else. This episode is a trailer for a free 30-minute video presentation covering what actually works and how not to screw it up. I put this presentation together for an NCARB licensing advisor event, and it turned out so well that I decided to release it as a free resource on our website. It includes detailed slides that walk you through the architect exam prep strategies I've seen work over and over again with real candidates, based on 10+ years of coaching through the ARE Boot Camp. This isn't a regular Architect Exam Podcast episode. The full presentation is a video designed to be watched, not just listened to, which is why it lives on our website instead of in your podcast feed. 📝 Key topics covered in the full presentation: * Why getting your architecture license is the most important project of your career * The two phases of the ARE and why exam order matters * Why NCARB's objectives are your only study roadmap * How to use textbooks (and why video courses alone aren't enough) * Realistic expectations: 700 to 1,300 hours and 3 years on average * The mindset shift that separates people who finish from people who quit 📖 Watch the full free presentation [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/how-to-study-for-the-architect-exam/] or visit YoungArchitect.com/howtostudy [https://youngarchitect.com/howtostudy] 🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/] 🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp [https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/]

064 - OFCI: Owner Furnished, Contractor Installed Simply Explained

OFCI (owner furnished, contractor installed) is one of those procurement methods that sounds simple until coordination breaks down on a real project. In this episode, Emily explains what OFCI means, how it compares to CFCI and OFOI, and why splitting the furnish-and-install responsibility creates real risks for owners, contractors, and architects. We walk through the most common OFCI items you'll see on construction projects, the coordination challenges that come with owner-furnished materials including quantity estimation errors, delivery timing, trade coordination, chain of custody, and warranty disputes. Then we break down exactly how OFCI gets documented in Division 01 specifications, individual spec sections, drawings, and contracts. If you're studying for the ARE or CDT exam, this episode covers procurement scenarios you need to understand for PcM, PjM, and CE. 📝 Key topics covered: * What OFCI means and how "provide" equals furnish and install in AIA contracts * OFCI vs CFCI vs OFOI procurement methods * Why owners choose OFCI: cost savings, schedule, quality control, and tax benefits * Common OFCI items on construction projects * The 5 major OFCI risks: quantity estimation, delivery timing, trade coordination, liability and chain of custody, and warranty disputes * How OFCI gets documented in Division 01, specs, drawings, and contracts * OFCI scenarios on the PcM, PjM, CE, and CDT exams ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (3:01) What Is OFCI? (5:28) Why Owners Choose OFCI (9:19) Common OFCI Items (10:39) Risks and Coordination Challenges (17:06) How OFCI Gets Documented (20:00) OFCI on the ARE and CDT Exams (22:11) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post: OFCI: Owner Furnished, Contractor Installed Simply Explained [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/ofci-owner-furnished-contractor-installed/] 📝 Download the FREE 2-page OFCI study guide: YoungArchitect.com/OFCI [https://youngarchitect.com/OFCI] 🎯 Ready to pass the ARE? Get access to all our ARE Study Materials with the ARE 101 Membership [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/] 🎯 Join the ARE Boot Camp [https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/] coaching program 📚 Individual Courses: * PjM 101 (Project Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/] * CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/] * PcM 101 (Practice Management) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/] * CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/cdt-exam-prep/] * PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-development-and-documentation/] * CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/ccca-exam-prep/] * PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/] * PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-planning-and-design/] * Building Codes 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/] * Mechanical Systems 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/] * AIA Contracts 101 [https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/]