Take your FREE HSW Course here - AIA approved!

This is your go-to source for free AIA-approved continuing education for architects. Plus, almost all our courses are delivered in streaming HD video. Registration is fast and easy, just click on Login/Register above. Then, you can enroll in any of our courses found in any of our programs with a single click. Our courses meet or exceed NCARB's high standards for state board license renewal. AIA member? Your credit will be reported to AIA for you.

Create Intelligent Buildings with Networked Lighting to Improve Tenant Overall Well-Being

This session will present how IoT lighting can be a fundamental platform for smart environments.  Well planned building integration allows a flexible, scalable lighting system to collect the data that ultimately brings more value to the building owner.

At the end of this course, participants will learn:

  1. Define IDA, light pollution, and related terms
  2. Identify the impacts of light pollution
  3. Demonstrate the difference between IDA and non-IDA lighting
  4. Assess the process of establishing IDA certification
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ISO-1002: Inverters

Inverters are a modern, simple way to achieve an emergency lighting solution while minimizing maintenance costs and utilizing existing architectural fixtures for emergency purposes. This course will give the student the skills they require to design and specify inverter-based emergency lighting systems.

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The 60-Minute MBA for Design Professionals

In this session, we will learn the fundamentals of all successful AE firms and provide the basis for making well-grounded business decisions. We will learn how firms can transition from being professionals providing services, to highly tuned businesses that can identify the needs of the marketplace and create services and products that are appropriately priced and yield consistent and greater profits.

Rather than seeking out new projects that merely build upon your current skills, you will start from a business-thinking mindset, where processes that are critical to building a thriving firm are examined and constituted in your firm. We will explore the importance of data within an architect firm and demonstrate how careful collection and interpretation can lead your firm into more exciting and profitable territory.

Following are the course's Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify why a “business-thinking” mindset is of utmost importance for service professionals
  2. Explain best practices for implementing a metrics-oriented leadership system
  3. Summarize how data-based performance management drives smarter business decisions
  4. Analyze how profitability drives growth rather than being merely a result
  5. Reframe your firm as a platform that enables you to achieve your business and personal goals
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Dynamic Lighting - Realities, Practicalities, Potential

Dynamic lighting, also known as tunable, color-changing, and circadian lighting, is being adopted and employed in current lighting designs.  There are many studies showing the benefits of dynamic lighting in built environments.  Early adopters have seeded the market and several lighting manufacturers now employ some level of Dynamic Lighting. This course is intended to explore what  Dynamic Lighting is, how it works in commercial luminaires, how to control it, and where the lighting community is being directed by standards, regulation, and voice of the customer. 

At the end of this course, participants will learn:

  1. Define elements of dynamic lighting.
  2. Learn the uses of dynamic lighting.
  3. See illustrations of how to control dynamic lighting.
  4. Become aware of the regulations, standards, and customer requests that are driving adoption.
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Reducing Fire Risk at the Perimeter of High Rise Structures

High rise fires are not new to us. In fact, we have seen an increase in fire incidents in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in the last 5-10 years that have amplified awareness on fire safety performance of taller structures. High rise buildings present a greater risk with an increased number of occupants that have a limited means of escape in the event of a fire. That is why the time element for containing a fire is so critical. Also, as we have seen in actual fires, vertical fire spread at the exterior façade can rapidly overwhelm fire fighters means of interceding the fire from ground level. As the fire accelerates and upward spread progresses, it often reaches a height beyond the reach of fire services water streams. That is why containing a fire and preventing it from spreading vertically is so critical for both occupant and first responder safety.

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Achieving Beauty, Wellbeing, and Functionality in Design

Beauty, functionality, and wellness-enhancing can co-exist in design, with the right products. This article explores solutions that help architects achieve these important multi-benefits. Pavers that create beautiful outdoor spaces that are easy to maintain. Skylights that allow daylight and fresh air into the interior. Underlayment that improves acoustics and sound management, while protecting the integrity of the interior air quality. Each improves the functionality of the space and the wellness of the people in the built environment.

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Egress Path Lighting & Emergency Lights ISO 502

This course is designed to introduce the architect to emergency lights. These lights are meant to be selected and installed according to specific standards established by building codes. Additionally, once installed, these systems must be tested to assure their efficacy in case of an emergency. How to select and specify the appropriate markers and the technological solutions available, as well as testing methods, will all be covered in this course.

HSW Justification:
The selection and implementation of a proper emergency lighting program is essential to the life safety of a building's occupants.

Learning Objective 1:
The student will understand egress signage obligations as imposed through building codes and standards.

Learning Objective 2:
The student will further understand the various technologies available to address those signage codes and standards.

Learning Objective 3:
The student will learn what the requirements are to conduct on-going testing of egress systems after installation.

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An Introduction to Custom Balanced Doors

This course will introduce you to the custom balanced door. You will learn about the system components and the differences between a Balanced door and a conventional hinged or pivoted swing door. Then we'll take a closer look at how a balanced door works in an installation. Finally you'll learn about the specific engineering requirements needed to accommodate balanced doors.

HSW Justification:
Balanced doors are safer than conventional doors because they require a smaller interference zone on the sidewalk. Also, they open with ease which benefits smaller people, weak or disabled persons, and the elderly. The majority of this course deals with those benefits and with the mechanical features of the door that make these health and safety benefits possible.

Learning Objective 1:
Understand the differences between the balanced door and a conventional hinged or pivoted swing door

Learning Objective 2:
Know specific requirements for ADA handicap guidelines LO 5: Understand how the balanced door interfaces with power operation LO 6: Understand specific engineering requirements to accommodate balanced doors

Learning Objective 3:
Understand what components make up a typical balanced door system

Learning Objective 4:
Know how the design concept works in an actual installation

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Customizable Acoustical Solutions for Open Plenum Design

Modern open spaces create a unique set of challenges when it comes to acoustics, particularly because many new buildings are designed with open plans and open plenums. Fortunately, there are innovative acoustic systems on the market that are designed to integrate with open plenums that can help to overcome these challenges. This course will discuss customizable acoustical solutions for open plenum design, including baffles, beams, clouds, and acoustical wall panels, which are available in a variety of materials like metal, wood, fiberglass, and felt. The course will explore the importance of acoustical design and how these open plenum ceiling systems can transform a space aesthetically while maximizing acoustics.

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