Continuing Education

Designing for an aging population

An informative seminar examining the difficulties seniors face with everyday tasks and how designing interiors to meet those needs creates a safe and comfortable environment.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Facilities Guidelines Institute’s standards
• Changes to hearing, vision and mobility
• The importance of color and contrast
• Design considerations by area type

Specifying dementia friendly finishes

An informative seminar focused on understanding the physical and cognitive changes in those suffering with dementia, how dementia affects design decisions and the importance of choosing appropriate finishes.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• What is Dementia? Understand the physical and cognitive changes that persons living with dementia experience and how those changes affect the design decisions that support the health and wellness of these individuals.
• Industry Guidelines Review the 2022 Facilities Guidelines Institute’s Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care and Support Facilities and other international industry guidelines that provide best practice for not only safe but empowering dementia friendly design.
• Design Consideration Review key dementia enabling design considerations in a care community by area type; enabling people living with dementia to find balance between safety and wellbeing.
• Specifying Dementia friendly floors and wall cladding Understand the importance in selecting dementia friendly interior finishes when designing spaces to be more supportive, safe and accessible.

Designing for behavioral and mental health

An informative seminar that provides an in-depth examination of the statistics surrounding behavioral and mental health (BMH) as well as facilitating treatment while promoting safety through successful BMH design.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Acknowledge the alarming statistics surrounding behavioral and mental health as well as the individuals receiving treatment.
• Learn about the three fundamental design principles for designing behavioral and mental health facilities.
• Understand the PSRA Matrix and its influence on the selection of interior design finishes in behavioral and mental health facilities.
• Review specific behavioral and mental health floor and wall surface details that facilitate ligature-free design.

Designing for education

Designing for education is an informative seminar that examines the unique challenges that must be addressed when designing interiors for the education sector. The topics covered in this course apply to both K-12 as well as higher education.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Color and design: Understand how the use of color and design psychologically impacts students and how they learn.
• Supporting inclusive educational environments: Discuss the importance of inclusive educational environments that support mental health and the needs of students and staff with disabilities.
• Indoor air quality in schools: Recognize the epidemic of poor indoor air quality in schools, the health impact this has on children, and how to reduce exposure levels.
• Life cycle cost analysis: Understand the importance of life cycle cost analysis and how appropriate product selection upfront can save schools money.
• Design considerations for diverse school needs: Understand the diverse needs of schools and the specific design considerations that each type of room requires to accommodate the well-being of all students.

Designing for healthcare: Wet environments

An informative seminar that provides a detailed overview of proper flooring, wall cladding and fixtures for wet environments in healthcare settings. Learn appropriate detailing and installation methods where safety of patients and staff is a primary focus.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Compliance with multiple regulations
• Wet area concerns in healthcare
• Wet area design solutions in healthcare

Designing for underfoot comfort

An informative seminar that examines the correlation between flooring and its degree of underfoot comfort in relation to the development and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in employees across various industries.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Musculoskeletal disorder overview
• Impact of MSDs to employee health
• Employee safety regulations
• Appropriate surfaces for underfoot comfort

Healthy building design

An informative seminar focused on promoting safety through linking the built environment to human health, as well as examining the impact of floor and wall surfaces on the wellbeing of employees.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Linking the built environment and health
• Microbes and their hygienic impact
• Antimicrobial additives
• Specifying appropriate surfaces to reduce the risk of infection

Hygienic operating room design

Hygienic Operating Room Design is an informative, one-hour seminar that examines the unique challenges and guidelines that must be addressed when designing operating rooms.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• Learn about the latest design trends impacting operating rooms today. Some of these trends include: larger, more multi-purpose rooms, reducing the use of anti-microbial additives, aseptic technique and sterile field design.
• Review current FGI, USP, and CSA guidelines pertaining to floors and walls developed for hygienic facilities and learn how these guidelines and best practices affect the design of modern operating rooms. The guidelines restrict the use of certain finishes, details and accessories and recommend hygienic alternatives that can be used in their place.
• Discuss the attributes that make vinyl flooring and walling an ideal choice for operating rooms. This objective explores attributes inherent in the nature of vinyl that make it ideal for healthcare.  Durability, versatility, long lifespan and resistance to bacteria are among the chief factors that make vinyl products suitable for many areas within healthcare.
• Learn about new methods and techniques when designing and installing floors and walls for operating rooms. This objective focuses on a few specific installation techniques that help create better, long lasting facilities. These include, different colored flooring inserts around operating tables and other places susceptible to staining agents, floor to wall transitions, what is compliant and what is non-compliant with current regulations, and adhesive-free flooring and its advantages to healthcare construction. 

Preventing infection with floors and walls

Preventing Infection through the Selection of Hygienic Floors and Walls is an informative seminar examining dangers of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) and how they can be avoided by selecting the right types of floors and walls. 

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW

Learning objectives:

• The dangers and costs associated with Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs).
• The major superbugs and how infections are spread.
• The role different types of surfaces play in infection and what makes some floors and walls more hygienic than others.
• How the design team can help prevent infection by specifying floors and walls with hygienic attributes.

Safety by design

Safety by Design is a FCSI accredited course.

Flooring Safety by Design is an informative seminar examining the dangers associated with slips and falls and the importance of choosing appropriate flooring

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW | 1 FCSI

Learning objectives:

• Define the Coefficient of Friction as it relates to the specification of slip-resistant flooring.
• Identify the legislative guidelines and legal tests relating to the specification of slip-resistant flooring.
• Facts and figures behind slips and falls in the workplace and other areas.
• Undertake a needs analysis to determine slip-resistant floors that are appropriate for your requirements.

Designing for neurodiversity

Designing for neurodiversity is an informative seminar that explores the intricate challenges inherent in creating environments that cater to the neurodiverse. While rooted in educational considerations, this course extends its scope to various settings. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical knowledge to inform design decisions that prioritize inclusivity and well-being for neurodiverse populations, including those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders.

Credits:1 LU | 1 HSW 

Learning objectives:

• Understand the diverse range of neurodiverse conditions and individuals, including but not limited to autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders, to inform design decisions that promote inclusivity and well-being.
• Review relevant local and international guidelines, legislation, and best practices related to neurodiversity, ensuring that design choices align with industry standards and support the safety, health, and welfare of neurodiverse populations.
• Understand the various sensory sensitivities and differences experienced by neurodiverse individuals, including those related to light, sound, touch, and spatial perception, and integrate this knowledge into design solutions that create environments accommodating these differences.
• Review key design considerations that foster neurodiversity-friendly spaces across different settings and contexts, striking a balance between sensory-sensitive design and functionality to create safe and accessible environments for all.