Stay sharp on design trends and material innovations with these five AIA-approved courses. Whether you're refining exterior details or enhancing interior environments, these on-demand sessions offer practical insights to elevate your next project—and your professional credentials.
1. Compliance Testing for Face Brick
Delve into what makes face brick a powerhouse for exterior design in this course that covers performance standards, physical testing, and the beauty of natural imperfections. You'll discover how brick’s size and shape are precisely measured and why its timeless durability, low maintenance, and energy-saving benefits make it a smart choice for lasting curb appeal.
Level: Intermediate. Credits: 1 AIA LU | HSW. Explore course.
2. Achieving Design Flexibility with Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces
Explore how direct vent gas fireplaces with cool wall technology offer versatile design options for residential and commercial spaces. Learn about health and safety benefits, design and heating experiences, finishing and interior choices, and venting solutions that enhance design flexibility while maintaining luxury and performance standards.
Level: Introductory. Credits: 1 AIA LU | HSW. Explore course.
3. Networked Audio and the Effects on the Home
Discover how networked audio enhances home environments and improves user experiences. The course examines music's impact on mood and behavior, using insights from several studies, and discusses content preferences. This course also offers tips on how to integrate clean, simple hardware solutions and innovative controls, ensuring seamless audio experiences that are easy for clients to manage while preserving design aesthetics.
Level: Introductory. Credits: 1 AIA LU | HSW. Explore course.
4. Outdoor Design: Bringing Modified Timber to the Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens have grown far beyond basic grills, with homeowners seeking luxurious, all-season spaces for cooking, entertaining, and gathering. Explores how acetylated wood—a durable, weather-resistant modified timber—unlocks new design possibilities for outdoor kitchens and how this long-lasting material elevates style and function. Learn its manufacturing advantages, and see real-world examples of stunning, modern outdoor kitchens built to withstand the elements while delivering high-end appeal.
Level: Introductory. Credits: 1 AIA LU | Elective. Explore course.
5. Sustainability and Design Benefits of Composite Cladding
From bold color choices to easy installation, discover why composite cladding is gaining ground in both residential and commercial projects—and how it stacks up against traditional options.
This on-demand course dives into the power of wood plastic composites, spotlighting their role in high-performance rainscreen cladding. See how these sustainable materials excel in durability, design flexibility, and life cycle benefits.
Level: Intermediate. Credits: 1 AIA LU | HSW. Explore course.
