EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

Modern construction has come to understand that a façade, as part of an overall building envelope, is not only a visual statement, but also an important influencer in the protection of a wall’s structural components, the energy efficiency of the building, and the health of its occupants. This course explores a unique surfacing material known as ultracompact surfacing (UCS) and evaluates its mechanical properties, technical characteristics, and aesthetics to illustrate its endless design potential in exterior cladding, façade, and rainscreen applications.

CLASSROOM, WEBINAR, STREAMED EVENT, LIVE INSTRUCTOR - 1 HOUR 

The events of the past two years as related to the pandemic are redefining standards for health and safety protocols in all aspects of life, including indoor spaces. As employers, educators and building owners seek to reopen their facilities, they are looking for ways to meet the heightened expectations of their workers and occupants. Guiding these decisions are recommendations from industry organizations such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EAP) which offer guidance on how changes to building operations, particularly HVAC systems, can reduce airborne exposures.

Intro and learning objectives (5 mins)

Managing and improving indoor air quality (15 mins)

Evolving standards and initiatives for healthy buildings (10 mins)

The role of finish material (15 mins)

Ceilings and sustainability (10 mins)

Conclusion with Q and A (5 mins)

CLASSROOM, WEBINAR, STREAMED EVENT, LIVE INSTRUCTOR - 1 HOUR 

Two major components of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) are aesthetics and acoustics. This course discusses ceiling systems that provide both qualities, leading to better health, safety, and well-being for occupants. It provides a historical exploration of ceiling systems that have evolved to meet occupant needs, incorporating materials that meet safety standards and exceed performance standards for sound absorption and speech intelligibility—all of which ultimately affect how people work, learn, heal, and play in ways that elevate the quality of their lives. In the past, when architects designed ceilings, they contended with the fact that they can achieve either a smooth, monolithic drywall aesthetic or excellent acoustics, but not both. One solution has been acoustical plaster systems, which have excellent acoustics and beautiful aesthetics, but they are expensive. Now, a new acoustical drywall alternative offers a solution for spaces that require acoustics and the look of drywall at a lower cost. This course offers a look at the evolution of seamless ceiling solutions and provides guidance on how new seamless acoustical ceilings benefit occupant health and well-being.

Intro and learning objectives (5 mins)

Evolution of Seamless Ceiling Systems (15 mins)

Indoor Environmental Quality for Occupant Well-Being (10 mins)

Sustainability (5 mins)

Integrated Solutions for Seamless Acoustical Ceiling Systems (10 mins)

Case studies (10 mins)

Summary with Q and A (5 mins)

Participants will explore the many benefits of integrated ceiling and lighting systems, such as increased efficiency and enhanced aesthetics. The course will also delve into the significant impact these integrated solutions have on occupant health and wellness, emphasizing the crucial connection between lighting design and overall well-being.

By the end of this course, participants will gain a thorough understanding of the technological, practical, and health-related aspects of integrated ceiling and lighting solutions. This knowledge will enable them to effectively implement these systems in a variety of settings.

Green building benefits are more than its surface level financial and environmental merits as it has also been shown to bring positive social impacts. Many of these benefits revolve around the health and wellbeing of people who work in green offices or live in green homes. In this course, participants will learn about the future of sustainable mineral hybriq surfaces. We will discuss sustainable manufacturing practices and potential LEED credits that can be earned. Moreover, participants will learn how the industry is moving toward a more advanced sustainable technology as these techniques become expanded and combined. The course will review how these surfaces have become an ideal product for all commercial and residential applications.

ONLINE - (requires the presence of a live instructor, classroom, webinar, streamed event)

This program will explore the evolution of drywall ceilings, acoustical ceilings and innovation in monolithic acoustical drywall ceiling systems. It includes an introduction to the history of gypsum plaster, the invention of the gypsum wallboard panel and modern gypsum panel technology. The standards used to gauge performance of ceilings will be discussed. A review of where and when and how to specify monolithic acoustical drywall ceilings.

In person (requires the presence of a live instructor, classroom, webinar, streamed event)

The concept of sound and the concept of Human Health are intimately related. This presentation explores the benefits of the collaboration between the science of sound and architecture in healthcare spaces. To look closer at the patient experience, we examine its connection to architecture, specifically how spatial design and material play into the space. We examine the unique considerations required in areas of the healthcare facilities and outline the testing methods used in evaluating material performance against design standards and guidelines set by key industry associations for privacy and noise in healthcare environments.

Course Length - 1 Hour

In person (requires the presence of a live instructor, classroom, webinar, streamed event)

This program will demonstrate the importance of considering acoustics in the earliest phases of design. The audience will learn about acoustical design and the codes and standards that measure the performance of an acoustical material. Several examples of acoustical challenges will be explored. Solutions of many types will be presented including new monolithic acoustical drywall.

The course provides a detailed exploration of the benefits and practical applications of metal in both interior and exterior commercial projects. Participants learn about the latest trends in metal ceiling and wall designs, including the diverse range of styles, shapes, and patterns available. The course covers critical aspects of the manufacturing process and offers insights into choosing metal elements that ensure durability and optimal building performance. Additionally, the course highlights how metal installations can enhance user comfort and align with environmental sustainability goals, promoting efficient energy use and responsible material sourcing.

Course Length - 1 Hour

In person (requires the presence of a live instructor, classroom, webinar, streamed event)

Scientific consensus has already established that increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide—created by fossil fuels and energy production—is contributing to rising sea levels, intensification of weather-related events, and the degradation of natural resources. This course discusses the impact carbon emissions have on the planet and how buildings can influence greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon, to lower embodied carbon through more sustainable building products offering. We will learn about manufacturing transparency and the ability to compare embodied carbon values against a baseline and against similar products, which are critical to reducing embodied carbon.  

In person (requires the presence of a live instructor, classroom, webinar, streamed event) - 1 HOUR

How do we go about designing educational environments to be healthier and better for learning outcomes?

This presentation explores the tremendous opportunity that architects, designers, and educators hold in their hands. We look at rethinking what an educational facility should be and how the physical environment can be designed to have a positive impact on learning. It is time to start designing with our ears. We examine spatial strategies, performance benchmarks, and architectural testing methods that allow designers and architects to evaluate designs against industry guidelines for sound performance. We discuss the primary function of a room and explore noise level thresholds that have serious long-term implications on learning and health.

This course outlines four specific focus areas related to infection control, aimed at enhancing understanding of the importance of these considerations for construction projects. Hospitals utilize infection control teams to assist in creating safe, sanitary environments for providing healthcare to patients. It’s imperative to understand what these teams require to maintain this environment during new building projects and how the design and construction teams can collaborate with them to improve the overall design solutions, yielding spaces that are safer for both patients and staff.

Webinar hosted every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.

Contract Administration Essentials is a one-hour course designed to empower architects with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of construction administration. This course is for architects, intern architects, architectural technologists, and project managers seeking to enhance.

Megatrends are long-term global trends that impact societies in complex ways, including the design of the built environment. This course examines seven megatrends and how they may inspire kitchen and bath designers to create accessible, diverse, and sustainable solutions to our society's social and environmental issues.

This 1-hour introductory online course features leaders in inclusion and accessibility, and people with lived experience and will introduce you to accessibility and disability inclusion concepts. Available anytime, anywhere, this self-directed on-demand course will help you get started on your accessibility journey and begin to break down attitudinal barriers.