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AIA Continuing Education Classes

Accredited classes for Architects taught by certified trainers in our office, at your location, or virtually via webinar.

Download a PDFClick here to download a flyer about our available in-person classes.


Click a title below for class information.

Planning for Optimum Gym Operations

Course numbers: K2104U (Online), K2104UE (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Beginner

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

To select the ideal gym control system and strategically utilize electrical circuits for optimized operations and monetary savings, the facility owner, architect, contractor, and controls equipment manufacturer should collaborate early in the project. This will support the safe and efficient operations of equipment including basketball backboards, volleyball equipment, and divider curtains. The course reviews the safety protocols for operating gymnasium equipment and goes into details regarding the assorted control system options.

Course Objectives:

  • Review the rules for safe operation of large gymnasium equipment.
  • Analyze the advantages and applications of control systems from simple key switches to canned group control systems to high-end custom programmed systems.
  • Assess the advantages of pre-planning by the facility owner, architect, contractor, and controls equipment manufacturer when designing a gymnasium controls system.
  • Review gymnasium control systems case studies portraying the collaboration project team process and optimized end results.
  • Reduce wiring costs through proper pre-planning.

AIA Topic and Category:

  • EM: Electrical and Mechanical
  • LS: Life Safety and Codes
  • PM: Products and Materials
  • AIA Category: 8. Project Planning & Design

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU | HSW

HSW Justification Statement:

Equipment suspended overhead is extremely heavy. Specifying the correct control system allows operators to safely move and deploy equipment such as gym dividers, basketball goals, volleyball systems, and more. In large facilities, wireless systems allow the operator to move around the gym, operating multiple pieces of equipment while maintaining eye contact with it to ensure there are no people in the area. Systems can also be set up to raise equipment automatically if safety alarms are set off to allow safe and rapid exit.

Window Shade Fabric Selection: A Performance-Based Approach

Course number: K2402D (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Beginner

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

Selecting shade fabric based on performance.

Learning Objectives:

To provide attendees with a clear understanding of the following:

  • The impact of fabric color and openness factor on shade performance.
  • How to determine shading coefficient and what it means.
  • Advances in shade fabric technology and performance.
  • Different fabric types and their composition.
  • The difference between light filtering and opaque (or room darkening) fabrics.

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Window Shade Fabric Selection
  • Subcategory: Products and Materials

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU

Window Shades—Their Impact on Building Performance and Budget

Course number: K2308B (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Introductory

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

Daylighting has been shown to have positive impacts on building occupants’ health, wellness, mood, and productivity. However, it also introduces issues with glare and solar heat gain. Shades address these issues. By introducing motorization and automation, the impact of a building’s shading system is maximized while taking into account individual comfort needs in a no-touch environment. Supporting Performance and Maximizing ROI is also covered.

Learning Objectives:

To provide attendees with a clear understanding of the following:

  • The positive and negative impacts of natural light in commercial buildings, and a comparison of various types of shading strategies.
  • How interior shading can improve occupant welfare, productivity, and comfort.
  • How design details impact shade budgets, and how to avoid expensive COs and unnecessary RFI/ASI work.
  • Why motorized shades make sense as a standard solution vs. a luxury upgrade.
  • How automation amplifies occupant comfort and supports sustainable building strategies in a no-touch environment.

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Project Development and Documentation
  • Subcategory: Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU | HSW

Managing Glare and Solar Heat Gain with Exterior Shading Systems

Course numbers: K2309U (in person/virtual presentation), K2301G (in person/virtual presentation), K2308Q (online), K2310U (online)

Course level: Introductory

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

Fabric zip systems, venetian blinds, and rack arm systems are highly effective strategies for optimizing daylighting, occupant comfort, and energy savings.

Learning Objectives:

  • Review key research establishing the health and wellness, occupant comfort and productivity, and energy savings benefits of daylighting.
  • Explain how solar heat gain occurs, and why exterior shading systems are an appropriate and effective way to manage it.
  • Identify the main variables that must be evaluated to select the optimal exterior shading system for a project to improve the health and well-being of occupants.
  • Describe the advantages, limitations, and applications of exterior fabric zip systems, venetian blinds, and rack arm systems.
  • Discuss how to integrate control systems into exterior shading devices to maximize solar control and the impact on occupant health and wellness.

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Products and Materials / Project Planning & Design
  • Subcategory: Exterior Shading Systems

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU | HSW

LED Technology and Support Structures

Course level: Beginner

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

Light Emitting Displays (LED) are quickly gaining ground in architectural AV. LED last longer than other technologies; is brighter; is modular in nature; and seamless. This course will introduce the learners to LED technology, and discuss the elements of a proper support structure.

In this course you will learn:

  • The benefits of direct view LED.
  • Considerations for placement of a display.
  • The elements of creating the correct structure for each installation.
  • Requirements of a structure to support a seamless installation.
  • Considerations of the Americans with Disabilities Act on LED walls.

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Products and Materials / Project Planning & Design
  • Subcategory: Building Systems, Materials & Assemblies

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU | HSW

Updated Science of Projection Screens

Course level: Intermediate

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

There are many variables to consider in selecting or specifying a projection screen. In previous years, the same white projection screen material would be specified in nearly all situations. Today's projection screen technology has created solutions to address issues in each individual environment. PS301 provides an understanding of the issues affecting projected light, and solutions for dealing with them.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain the factors that must be considered in selecting or specifying a projection screen for a specific project.
  • How ambient light impacts projection and how to solve it.
  • List the different types of projection screens.
  • Define the ANSI/INFOCOMM 3M-2011 PISCR standard.

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU | HSW

Daylighting 201–A Simple Guide to Motorized Shades and Controls

Course number: K2301E (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Introductory

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

Properly specifying window shades can maximize the benefits of natural light, conserve energy, and increase the comfort and productivity of building occupants. Shades can also contribute to LEED credits. This course outlines the basics of shade specification and introduces the concepts of motorization and automation.

Learning Objectives:

To provide attendees with a clear understanding of how the benefits of natural light can be maximized and energy conserved through the proper specification of motorized shades and controls.

  • An explanation of how motorized shades provide a superior opportunity for energy savings and increased productivity compared to manual shades.
  • Correctly specified shades can meet the needs of the individual and at the same time assist in optimizing total building efficiency. How can motorized shades balance these two factors more economically than manual shades?
  • Case studies indicating productivity boost, energy conservation, and savings in utility costs through the use of the correct shade fabric and method of motorized control.
  • When specifying motorized shades what are the most important considerations to be made?

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Project Development and Documentation
  • Subcategory: Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies

Credits offered: 1 LU

Daylighting 301–Managing Daylight with Automated Solar Control

Course number: K2301F (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Introductory

Course Objective:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

To provide attendees with a clear understanding of the benefits of designing a space with ample views and daylight, the challenges this presents, and how motorized shading can help solve these issues.

Learning Objectives:

  • An explanation of how automated shading directly impacts the benefits of daylighting.
  • An explanation of how and why automated shading provides a superior opportunity for meeting client and occupant needs compared to manual shades.
  • Explanation of how a shade is motorized.
  • The importance of fabric selection.
  • The Impact of solar movement and seasonal variation.
  • The types of motor and control system options.
  • How shades are part of materials reporting for LEED, Well Building, etc. This includes PVC free materials, HPDs, Cradle-to-Cradle certifications, and recycled content.
  • When specifying motorized shades what are the most important considerations to be made?

Credits offered: 1 AIA LU | HSW
1 GBCI CE Credit
1 IDCEC CEU

Specifying the Correct Gymnasium Eqiupment for Athletic Facilities

Course number: K2301J (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Introductory

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

To provide a clear understanding of the various factors that must be considered in selecting or specifying basketball equipment for a specific facility. The course discusses the criteria for the selection the correct backstop series, style, and accessories, as well as the standards that should be considered when selecting suppliers of this type of equipment.

Learning Objectives:

Provide attendees with a clear understanding of:

  • Factors that must be considered in selecting or specifying basketball backstops and other gymnasium equipment for a specific project
  • How to select the correct basketball backstops and other equipment for a specific facility based on that facility’s structural design, intended use, and the Court and Equipment Rules of the applicable governing body
  • The importance of planning gym equipment in concert with other building specialties
  • How to select acceptable manufacturers to include in your specification

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Project Development and Documentation
  • Subcategory: Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies

Credits offered: AIA 1 LU

HSW Justification Statement: Selecting the correct gym equipment creates a safe space for improving health through exercise.

Safety in the Gym: Specifying Equipment to Protect Users and Spectators

Course number: K2301K (in person/virtual presentation)

Course level: Intermediate

Class Description:

Register here for in-person or virtual webinar presentation.

With bigger and faster athletes than ever before, the need for player and spectator safety in gymnasiums has intensified. This course identifies the various components and stakeholders inside a gymnasium, defines standards and features to ensure safety, explains the specification and installation of gymnasium equipment, and describes green certifications for gymnasium equipment.

Learning Objectives:

After this class, you should be able to:

  • Discuss the need for player and spectator safety in gymnasiums
  • List the various components and stakeholders inside a gymnasium and how they impact safety
  • Define the standards and features to consider to ensure player and spectator safety
  • Discuss the specification and safe installation of gymnasium equipment

AIA Topic and Category:

  • Topic: Project Development and Documentation
  • Subcategory: Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies

Credits offered: AIA 1 LU | HSW

HSW Justification Statement: Athletic equipment suspended in a gym is very heavy. Improperly specified or installed equipment has the potential to fall, injuring those below. It is imperative that the correct equipment and proper safety features be specified to protect players and spectators.

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