Designing to improve Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) remains a critical component of modern architecture. Safeguarding the health and wellness of building occupants must take into account a wide range of variables including air quality, sound, temperature, light, access to natural elements through biophilic design. What we are collectively realizing is that a healthy built environment is also a productive built environment and that extends to commercial spaces, hospitals, schools and homes. This academy offers a deep dive into best practices that support sustainable design specifically related to enhanced indoor environmental quality. Topics examined include managing natural ventilation, controlling noise and sound, trends, new technologies, and how to incorporate aesthetic beauty into sustainable design.

Healthcare facilities need to pull in all possible resources available to ensure patients, staff, and visitors are safe and healthy. Indoor environmental quality (IEQ), noise control, and basic durability issues must be addressed to promote the optimum healing environment. While traditionally healthcare facilities were designed to focus primarily on the care of the patient, that isn’t the case anymore. Modern hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers need to cater to the comfort, emotional well-being, and aesthetic needs of visitors and staff as well as patients. Understanding what options are available, how to design and specify, and meet or exceed these expectations can be daunting for the architect. The Healthcare Academy provides real world examples, support, and knowledge to empower architects and designers tasked with the opportunity to create truly healthy and beautiful healing spaces.

In the face of today’s challenges—climate change, economic shifts—metal building innovations provide flexible, sustainable, and high-performance solutions for architecture. Metal walls and roofing systems offer design versatility, energy efficiency, and durability while adding fresh aesthetic possibilities with bold color palettes and easy installation. The Metal Architecture Academy explores the potential of metal in architecture. Metal composite materials (MCM), insulated metal panels (IMPs), and single-skin metal panels deliver durable, stunning facades in various shapes and finishes. Metal cladding for roofs and siding is ideal for retrofits, offering sustainable, long-lasting solutions. Metal roofing also enhances energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Advancements like solar-integrated panels, reflective coatings, and above-sheathing ventilation redefine sustainability and design in modern architecture. These courses explore the latest trends, showing how metal’s versatility drives eco-friendly, innovative building solutions.

From its ancient roots in Roman times to its contemporary applications, glass has stood the test of time as a visually stunning and structurally robust building material. Today, it continues to play a vital role in design, offering sustainable solutions, enhancing human comfort, and driving innovative architectural concepts. The Glass and Glazing Academy highlights the latest advancements in glass and glazing technology, ranging from energy-efficient coatings to protective glazing systems. Moreover, it provides insights into strategies for creating inspiring learning environments, and shines a light on the crucial role protective glass and glazing play in safeguarding vulnerable establishments like schools, hospitals, banks, and movie theaters. With its diverse possibilities to elevate the built environment, glass remains a tried-and-true material for the ages.

Preparing for both the expected, and unexpected elements that can impact a building, should be a priority for architects, designers, structural engineers, building owners, and occupants. Over the course of its useful life buildings will need to contend with the ever-changing whims of nature, as well as the increasing demands of occupants and visitors. The Mastering Movement™ Academy looks at the impact the local environment has on a build and offers resources and solutions to help provide durability, expected performance, and a healthy space for occupants. From protectives surfaces that provide durable and low-maintenance performance for doors and walls, to louvers that arrest moisture intrusion while supporting the beauty of a structure, we will investigate the vital nature of combining aesthetic and performance goals, in a constantly active environment.

Water intrusion remains one of the key challenges architects must address to ensure structures are safe, durable, sustainable, and pest-free. While much attention has been focused on permeable vapor barriers, mechanical ventilation, and rainscreen technologies, architects must not neglect foundations, basement walls, and external balconies. A deliberate strategy to halt and contain the flow of liquid water is critical in the fight against mold, rot, and structural degradation. The Waterproofing Academy puts bulk water intrusion into the cross-hairs and provides technical content, webinars, and presentations that specifically focus on water mitigation strategies in air barrier systems, above and below-grade liquid flashing, and pest-control solutions. Pest control, specifically protecting homes from the invasive Formosan Termite, go hand in hand with waterproofing solutions. The key to protecting the building, be it commercial, residential, or part of our national infrastructure begins with a well-informed and comprehensive water management strategy, and the Waterproofing Academy provides the resources architects need to succeed.

The implications of catastrophic disasters resulting from rapid climate change are increasingly becoming a reality for many parts of the world. As the need for resilience and durability in construction grows, there remains an opportunity to slow and mitigate much of the risk through sustainable design. This is where architects, builders, and manufacturers wield significant influence over our future trajectory. The Sustainability Academy delves into the myriad options available to architects dedicated to fostering a safer, healthier, and more sustainable planet for all. Courses offered cover diverse topics, from strategies for reducing carbon footprints and halting greenhouse gas emissions to recognizing the communal and social advantages of environmental stewardship. Key topics focus on understanding the impacts of supply chain management, transportation costs, and reducing embodied carbon, all with the aim to ensure that occupants inhabit spaces that are environmentally responsible, comfortable, healthy, and beautiful. Join us with a renewed commitment to effecting tangible change for real people by designing spaces that meet and exceed sustainability objectives.

Science, beauty, and wellness all converge as the Interiors Academy explores how light and color can transform interior design and create vibrant commercial and residential spaces. These learning opportunities provide a wide palette of options to explore everything from the basics of color specification to the challenges and rewards of including light and color in the sustainable design of tiny homes. Interior finishes can impact the health and well-being of occupants in both residential and commercial settings, and the Interiors Academy offers a host of courses, webinars, and presentations specifically crafted to help architects not only understand the science of visible light but learn how to maximize and master the positive impact it can have on the built environment.

More than a trend, the benefits of biophilic design remain much sought after in the world of architecture. While up to this point much of the biophilic design elements have focused on options like improved daylighting or exposed wood and natural stone, biophilia also includes the human element, specifically art. Lessons learned post-pandemic have put the occupant’s well-being, especially mental and emotional health, front and center when designing interior surfaces. Increasingly new projects and major renovations focus on how to transform traditional offices, health care facilities, schools, and retail spaces into a catalyst for a positive human experience. The Biophilia Academy explores the positive impacts that biophilic elements can have on the health and well-being of building occupants, potential green builder credits, and innovative carbon sequestration strategies through biomorphism and bio-utilization.

Innovation has provided an abundance of tools for the architect when creating the perfect custom home design. Comfort, performance, automation, biophilia, and sustainable design goals can all be achieved to fit the character of the land, the intent of the project, and, ultimately, the dreams of the client. Understanding how best to leverage the cutting-edge options requires an upleveling of knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge from research and due diligence, wisdom from experience and observing best practices by the masters. The Custom Home Academy is designed to provide both knowledge and wisdom though thoughtful exploration of light, technology, and performance options. We will examine trends in daylighting, the science of tunable lighting, and how incorporating big glass into custom home design can imbue a feeling of luxury. The rapid evolution of home automation will be explored to understand how occupants can easily, and remotely, control doors, skylights, windows, and environmental controls to manage the custom home space. We will also look at how Zero Energy Ready homes are making an impact on climate change, and how programs like these are shifting the expectations of clients.

Architects today hold a unique position to create interior spaces that are not only safe and functional but also welcoming and accessible to all. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be seen as an opportunity to include innovative designs, products, and finishes that create a space that embraces change. With one in four U.S. adults living with a disability and demographics shifting due to aging Baby Boomers, architects and designers face a critical juncture to understand the breadth of options, challenges, and opportunities surrounding this ADA compliance and design. This academy focuses on diverse design methodologies to promote equity for individuals with disabilities today and provides insight into design elements that contribute to a healthier and safer environment, both emotionally and physically. Through these discussions, the academy aims to equip architects and designers with the tools and insights necessary to craft spaces that prioritize accessibility, well-being, and inclusivity, thus enriching the lives of all occupants, both now and in the future.

Navigating the multifamily and residential housing market continues to be a challenge as occupancies and rent growth, coupled with volatile interest rates put the bite on developers and building owners. However, one steadfast path to success has remained - deliver accessible, sustainable and high-performing units. Understanding new technologies, creating spaces that are flexible and healthy for occupants, and designing projects that can both reduce the energy demand and provide durable and safe spaces is a winning approach in these stormy times. The Multifamily Housing Academy proves a comprehensive solution set of resources that span all multifamily housing projects, from affordable to luxury high-end.

Designing, specifying, and installing roofing systems remains one of the most important aspects of creating a durable, energy efficient, safe, and resilient structure. Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to types and styles of roofing systems, and being able to specify with confidence is critical for architects and designers. This academy will provide an overview of the state of roofing systems, including new technologies and materials that are being developed to address uplift, solar exposure, and water intrusion. Roofing options need not be confusing, and this academy covers everything from fleece membranes and urethane adhesives, to exterior VOCs, PVC roofing, white EPDM, and the critical importance of understanding roofing wind speed ratings, using and mastering electronic leak detection devices and warranties.

From economy to sustainability and aesthetics, wood remains an enduring favorite for architects, designers, and building occupants. Its versatility allows it to meet a wide range of structural and performance needs, making it suitable for both light frame and mass timber systems. Wood’s natural properties contribute to thermal regulation, sound absorption, seismic resilience, and fire resistance, all while supporting a sustainable supply chain. As more public, civic, and commercial projects embrace timber construction, wood continues to deliver exceptional performance, durability, and a low-carbon footprint—paired with timeless beauty that enhances indoor and outdoor environments. Whether used for structural elements, finishes, or decorative details, wood’s adaptability ensures it remains a top choice for sustainable design.

Evolution in products, strategies, and technologies has sparked a heightened recognition of the utility of glass in contemporary building design. From retail and workplaces to arts centers and high-end residences, glass has become integral to the architectural landscape, creating a light-filled, high-performing, and energy-efficient built environment. Coatings and insulating glass units effectively manage solar heat and reduce glare, improving overall energy performance. Technological advancements ensure facades and curtain walls appear seamless, serving as the first line of defense against severe weather and both natural and man-made disasters. With growing concerns about climate change, glass manufacturers are paving the way to reduce both occupied and embodied carbon emissions. They achieve this by producing energy-efficient glass products, adopting sustainable manufacturing processes, and promoting designs that enhance a building's overall sustainability. The Glass in Architecture Academy offers a comprehensive suite of courses and touchpoints for architects, allowing them to stay current with glass specification, manufacturing, and design. These courses and articles are specifically curated to address the evolving demands of performance in a changing world through the careful specification of glass.

Science, research, and the application wisdom accrued over time all come together in the art of architectural acoustics. The beauty of a space is no longer constrained to simply the visual impression, today acoustic design is as important, or possibly even more critical, to the occupant experience. A “total acoustics” approach to design is now a requirement for many projects, especially performance venues, education institutions and health care facilities. The audible experience of the occupant - from the time they enter the space until they leave -must be thoughtfully designed to enhance, limit, and control sound transmission. The Acoustics Academy provides a look at innovative and contemporary acoustical choices that complement the built environment, regardless of the desired aesthetics. It examines the basics of sound transmission in commercial spaces, to creating venues that blend cultural context with performance requirements. This academy looks at how integration of cutting-edge sound blocking, and noise control elements can play a necessary part in both occupant well-being and sustainable design goals.

This training program will introduce architects to the concepts, science, and mitigation of thermal bridging in building envelope systems. The four-course academy includes a review of how current NYS energy code regulates thermal bridging, and then explores thermal bridging in three common construction types and building case studies. The case studies highlight the physics of thermal bridging within specific details, impacts thermal bridging on building performance, durability and comfort, and common design solutions to mitigate thermal bridging and achieve desired thermal performance targets.