EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

This course explores the performance and applications of translucent materials, including resins and glass, to help architects and designers create safe, durable, and resilient designs. Participants will learn how resins address the limitations of traditional materials, offer unique aesthetic and functional benefits, and adapt to environmental demands. The program covers key performance criteria such as UV and impact resistance, durability, and maintenance, with real-world test demonstrations to illustrate their versatility.

This course introduces neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences, exploring how these impact interaction with built environments. Participants will learn the importance of creating spaces that support diverse needs and how elements like lighting, acoustics, spatial layout, and color influence comfort and productivity. The course provides practical strategies for assessing sensory needs and applying neuro-inclusive principles in workplaces and shared spaces. Learners will engage with adaptive design techniques and sensory-friendly palettes to create environments that foster well-being, equity, and belonging for all occupants.

Explore the impact of acoustic design on effective communication and occupant well-being. This course reveals the crucial role of reverberation in establishing optimal conditions and examines the significance of the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) in attaining acoustic excellence. Gain insights into how the strategic utilization of acoustic materials and configurations can enhance NRC values, highlighting the nuanced measure of absorption per square foot to create functional and comfortable spaces.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines well-being as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This is significant as it identifies the correlation between the built environment and its holistic ability to support this need. To enhance healing, settings for behavioral and mental healthcare need to balance safety with a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Flooring selection in this setting must support the demands of the level of care, and human-centered needs as a primary design driver.

Management of moisture, air, vapor, and thermal performance, as well as wind resistance requirements are critical when designing the building enclosure. This presentation will provide guidelines for commercial building wall systems to successfully navigate these often-competing interests and provide strategies for achievable performance through design and specification, without compromising the aesthetics with distracting details. This presentation will also include hands-on and virtual examples of what it takes to execute continuous detailing during the construction process.

This course covers the basics of natural stone including the different types of stone, information on the various quarries where natural stone is found and how the stones are extracted and cut. The course also covers the production process on getting stone from the quarries into the final design in the home.

Corporate clients and design professionals are increasingly asked to demonstrate not only aesthetic excellence but also social and environmental responsibility. Certified B Corporations™ (B Corps) represent a global movement of businesses committed to balancing profit with purpose. This one-hour course introduces the fundamentals of B Corp certification, explaining what the certification stands for, how companies earn it, and its relevance to current design practice. Through rigorous standards, growing consumer trust, and real-world case studies, participants will gain insight into how B Corp principles can strengthen client relationships, safeguard supply chains, and align design practice with values of transparency, accountability, and sustainability.

Explore fundamental building science principles for the continuity of moisture, air, vapor, and thermal performance for commercial building enclosures. "Where the building touches the sky" the continuity is essential at the vulnerable wall system to the roof system connection. This session discusses the impacts of whole building performance, design requirements, material & assembly requirements, and installation verification requirements during construction as well as wind resistance requirements at the critical wall-to-roof interface. We will review a series of design examples and discuss strategies to successfully navigate these often competing interests through design, specification, and construction sequencing without compromising the aesthetics or performance of the commercial wall systems.

In a global, competitive world, it’s not the strongest or most intelligent that survive, but the one most adaptable to change. However, in our work organizations most people are resistant to change. The good news is that each of us has the ability to drive change regardless of our position because transformational leadership is about choice. Through this course, you will learn how to lead change and become a transformational leader. It all starts with creating a vision and learning how to influence support from team members. You will then learn how to lead by example, which will drive commitment and accountability from your team members. By the end of this course, you will discover how improving your thinking positively impacts your behavior, which ultimately leads to extraordinary results and culture change.

Health care clients demand a lot from the floor. They need a supportive space that works to improve operations, efficiencies, health, safety, and wellness. That means specifying sustainable flooring that eases maintenance, improves indoor air quality, enhances safety, reduces ambient noise, and provides underfoot comfort. This course illustrates the key attributes to consider when specifying flooring for space specific needs in acute-care inpatient, outpatient, and post-acute care or medical-based senior care facilities.

Smart home technology is becoming more and more popular among homeowners. There are so many smart products on the market that cater to user needs like energy efficiency, unlimited control over the house, privacy and security, or overall convenience. This course will help designers identify elements to look for, such as easy-to-navigate smart tech ecosystems and product features, that will create the best experience for their clients. Participants will also go over the most important elements of a smart home, from smart kitchen appliances to smart thermostats. By discussing common smart home technology concerns and benefits like accessibility and a world of possibilities for the future of smart tech, participants will walk away with the knowledge to create the ultimate luxury smart home experience.

This course assists architect, construction, and design professionals in understanding the environmental impacts of real wood flooring so that they can effectively specify wood flooring for their client projects, and meet potential green building program criteria.

ONGOING - IN PERSON

DATE & LOCATION: TBD

This course focuses on Ultracompact surfacing for hardscape projects as its versatility and durability make them a practical choice for a wide range of residential and commercial applications. With technological advances in manufacturing, this superior material is a must to consider with its improved aesthetic and durability benefits. This course will uncover green manufacturing strategies that promote sustainability to our environment. Finally, participants will review case studies understanding application usage while learning the performance attributes.

Facade Access Systems for Window Cleaning and Building Maintenance. Understand why a building requires permanent engineered maintenance equipment. Develop an appreciation of the safety requirements for these systems. Learn what major factors should be considered when incorporating maintenance equipment into the building design. Learn how to choose the best system for a particular application.

Whether through patterns, materials, or color, the influence of fashion has always played a role in how we dress our surroundings. Similarities and connections drawn between fashion and interior design create a compelling narrative that serves as a point of inspiration for Color Trends 2026. Through an analysis of three major design movements of the 20th century – Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern, correlations between decorative styles and fashion are illustrated, alongside their iconic color palettes. Throughout the course, a renewed interest in classics refreshed for today’s interiors is demonstrated through a reverence for craft and attention to detail. Inspired by cues from fashion, the Color Trends 2026 palette invites an approachable sensibility with exceptional use of color.