EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

Replacing concrete or steel with wood in the built environment is the guiding principle behind the growing mass timber trend in the construction industry. As a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to steel and concrete framing, mass timber structures contribute 30% less CO2 emissions than their concrete counterparts. Although mass timber has many advantages, it raises the issue of sound attenuation. In this course, we’ll explore the basics of mass timber types, benefits, challenges, and flooring/ceiling assembly solutions.

The presentation includes a discussion on the history, composition and properties of single-ply synthetic and multi-ply polymer-modified roof membranes, and when to use each system based on design criteria. Also covered, is the importance of insulation options and the impact of those properties on roof performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

This course explores the future of healthcare environments through the lens of design innovation and foresight research. By examining key signals of change—ranging from workforce challenges and operational demands to evolving patient expectations—participants will gain insights into the trends shaping care delivery today and tomorrow. Rather than viewing these shifts as obstacles, the course highlights opportunities to create healing spaces that align with the real rhythms of healthcare work, empowering providers, patients, and families. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how design can play a pivotal role in shaping environments that truly support the people at the center of care.

The increasing demands on providing healthy, safe, and quality designed environments for kitchens is on the rise. Factors to consider are material characteristics and properties, accessibility to planning centers, and appropriate installation methods. This course introduces materials, methods, and techniques when planning an important activity center in a kitchen design.

Kitchens have been called the heart of the home for a reason. It is a highly used space for functionality and gathering of family and friends. Innovations and trends for this beloved space are constantly evolving.

We are at an exciting time in kitchen design where new technologies and materials are being introduced. We will review the latest trends and innovations that are making the kitchen even more functional, safe and benefiting the welfare of its users.

Sustainability is increasingly shaping the fields of design and architecture as the industry works to reduce its environmental impact. This course helps professionals understand sustainability concepts, navigate green building frameworks and certifications, and interpret material health labels and environmental disclosures to make responsible product choices, equipping them to create buildings that support both people and the planet.

No one wants the beautiful and thoughtfully designed details of an outdoor space to fade into the night when the sun goes down. That’s where landscape lighting design comes in. This course will help you discover the transformative power of outdoor lighting solutions that elevate outdoor spaces, provide increased security, increase functionality, and add value to any property. Learn how to create an outdoor lighting plan and achieve the ultimate goal: creating a balanced, aesthetically pleasing nighttime environment that extends your living space outdoors and showcases your property’s best features.

A comprehensive overview of LEED v4 BD+C New Construction credits – and how paints and coatings can contribute directly and indirectly to LEED credits. We will review credit intents, explain credit requirements, and explore where to find materials to meet the needs of the credits.

Join us as we explore the art of crafting lifestyle amenity spaces in healthcare environments. Discover how these spaces go beyond traditional healthcare settings, creating destinations that foster healing and well-being. Explore the fundamental needs of Focus, Gather, and Nurture, essential for tailoring environments that empower patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike. Experience the transformative potential of thoughtful design in healthcare, where every space contributes to a holistic journey of healing and interaction.

Explore the role of high-pressure laminate (HPL) in sustainable design and material selection. Participants will learn about the HPL manufacturing process, how to assess its environmental impact, and the key factors that contribute to its footprint. The course will guide you in reducing HPL’s environmental impact, understanding sustainability certifications, and prioritizing environmentally responsible materials. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge to make responsible, sustainable material choices that align with both environmental goals and high-quality standards.

This course will explore new, innovative, and alternative materials that are emerging in the field of architecture, interior design, and industrial design. The course is intended to inspire, delight, and challenge every designer's notion of what materials are available on the market and how they can be used on projects. Designers will see unique materials as well as familiar ones, and learn how they can be used in unexpected ways, as well as learn how to source, utilize, and combine them. These materials will be examined in the context of current trends in the global design industry as well as popular culture, taking into account sustainability, advances in technology, globalism and human emotion.

This course explores the essential properties of cold formed steel (CFS) frames and structural cementitious panels, emphasizing their role in functional adaptive reuse projects. Participants will learn about the advantages of installing CFS frames and structural cementitious panels in existing structures to create new, usable spaces. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement cold formed steel and structural cementitious panels in adaptive reuse projects, promoting sustainability and innovation in the built environment.

Avocado toast isn’t the only green thing about millennials! ― With the higher rate of millennials entering the housing market, it has become clear that the greener the house, the more likely it is to be purchased. An emphasis on sustainability, conservation, and minimalist design leads to designers working to stay focused on the desires of this new green generation with the highest purchasing power yet. ― Learn how you can implement green designs  into your new fixtures to engage this highly social, technologically-savvy, and purpose-driven generation of homebuyers.

"Minimal Space Design” is a course designed to help learners understand the unique and growing challenges of design within limited interior spaces. Learners will gain insights that will lead to strategies of efficient design.

This course takes a closer look at how natural materials shape lighting design, blending aesthetics, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Participants will learn to identify five key material groups, understand their sourcing and preparation, and discover their ecological qualities, including renewability and biodegradability. Real-world examples will demonstrate how these materials enhance both the form and atmosphere of lighting while supporting responsible design choices.