The EPIConnection.org would like to thank RedVector.com for sharing it’s free tool for researching various state license and continuing education requirements related to the design/construction industry. Known in the industry for its large library of online continuing education and professional development courses, RedVector.com’s dedicated research staff tracks and maintains information on the licensing and certification rules and requirements for architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors, landscape architects, land surveyors and other industry professionals. Click here to visit the RedVector License Requirements Tool.

The Stan Hywet Symposium Committee is proud to announce a “Call for Presentations” for the first annual The Stan Hywet Symposium. The symposium was initiated in 2007 as a forum for the study and discussion of a diverse range of historical, architectural, and preservation issues. It is a collaborative effort through The University of Akron, Kent State University and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens to address such issues for both scholarly and public audiences. Symposium presentations take place at the historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio and include personalized tours and intimate gatherings. The symposium expects to bring together over 200 participants from all areas of the region for two days of programming and networking. The 2008 Symposium is entitled: On Display: Historic Homes and Great Estates and is set for October 17-18, 2008. Deadline for submissions: 5:00pm, April 2, 2008. For more information please visit Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens or contact Mark J. Heppner Symposium Liason.

Partnerships work

Partnerships have been emerging over the past decade between associations, industry, and academic institutions to provide this type of educational opportunity. The associations and industry lend professional expertise and important endorsements, while the educational institution adds credibility and stability through the academic credit.

What are the benefits of academic credit?
There are different types of academic credit and, depending upon the model, the credit can provide added benefit to the certificate education.

Academic credit connected to a certificate program may provide the following:
• count toward a degree program
• qualify for financial aid
• qualify for corporate education subsidies for employees
• provide added credibility
• provide the stepping stone for developing a new major or graduate program.

How do you get started?
If you are an association, you should contact your local community college or four-year institution to explore possible programming that would benefit your members. Select an academic department closest to your educational mission, or contact the continuing education or extension department. If you are a two- or four-year institution seeking to expand your offerings, explore your local and regional associations and identify those that could add value to your current or emerging programs.

LERN Magazine|March/April 2007

A free new service is now available to all who are interested in supporting the continuing professional development of those in the design and construction industry.

Make the National A/E/C Speakers Registry a must stop when searching for qualified speakers, trainers, facilitators, and consultants. Find just the right match, the right speaker matched to the needs of your audience. Are you looking for experience, education, or both? Let the National A/E/C Speakers Registry be your source.

Qualified speakers, trainers, facilitators, and consultants specializing in the fields of architecture, engineering, interior design, construction & landscape architect are welcomed to post their profile.

EPIConnection proudly presents a new monthly feature in our growing online Library: New Books for the architecture and design field. A selected group of publishers provide us with their latest releases and information. From those, we will select one book that will become the Book of the Month. The Book of the Month will also be the subject of an online discussion course at the The Boston Architectural Center Book Club for continuing education credits.

The Book of the Month is featured at the top of the Library page.

The New Books selections appear on their own page.

A Collaborate Effort Between a Firm and University

The design of healthcare environments has become increasingly important during the past few decades. The demand for high-quality healthcare environments has grown as well. Healthcare environments provide a unique set of design opportunities and constraints that distinguish them from other kinds of spaces. They are unusually complex and must serve the needs of many different users, including patients, visitors, medical staff, and administrative personnel. Perhaps that is why they are rarely assigned in academic architectural design studios - but they should be.

Students need to be exposed to the possibilities of healthcare design while in school, as it offers a window into a world of architectural practice where their work will always be in demand. In addition, research is needed to identify and analyze approaches to healthcare design issues, and especially to assist designers in creating places and spaces that meet the complex needs of users.

Cannon Design of St. Louis, MO, is consistently ranked among the top healthcare design firms in the world. Staff from Cannon Design will deliver a series of presentations to students about health care design to provide an overview of the field and to orient them to upcoming design projects. They will participate in the development of project assignments and in interim and final design reviews.

For more information contact: Kathryn Anthony