AIA CES

(Washington, D.C. - March 31, 2008) To further protect children from exposure to lead-based paint, EPA is issuing new rules for contractors who renovate or repair housing, child-care facilities or schools built before 1978. Under the new rules, workers must follow lead-safe work practice standards to reduce potential exposure to dangerous levels of lead during renovation and repair activities.

"While there has been a dramatic decrease over the last two decades in the number of children affected by lead-poisoning, EPA is continuing its efforts to take on this preventable disease," said James Gulliford, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. "Today's new rules will require contractors to be trained and to follow simple but effective lead-safe work practices to protect children from dangerous levels of lead."  For the full article please visit the US EPA.

For providers of continuing education regarding paint, what courses can you offer to educate the design industry of this news?

As noted in the CES Provider Connection, AIA CES has changed the continuing education requirement to include 4 sustainable design hours as part of the total 8 health safety welfare hours.  The change in requirement will be effective January 1, 2009.  Considering the changes, isn’t time you re-evaluated your learning objectives?  When course content is questioned the first place auditors look is at the learning objectives.  The Program Registration Form A is being redesigned.  Once that becomes available you will be required to re-register any course you want to qualify as Sustainable Design (SD).  Prepare now for the evaluation and writing of your learning objectives so that they are compliant with the sustainable design definition and criteria.  If you have questions on how to write learning objects, please email Sara Thomas.  If you have examples of good sustainable design learning objectives, please post them to this blog.

Members can now access Sweets building product information at Soloso.aia.org.

What does this mean for members? Members can use Soloso’s innovative graphic displays and search functionality to quickly and easily research, find, and specify products for their designs. In addition to searching more than 10,000 building products, members can download product catalogs, CAD details, 3D models, and 3-part specifications. By using Soloso to search for Sweets building product information members will be able to make quick decisions, ensure accuracy, and save time. 

Soloso will continue to have the most current building product information through regular updates and product additions.  For more information, please visit Soloso.aia.org. 

School recently launched a Google Authorized Training Center, complete with AIA CE courses in Google SketchUp and Google Earth. Both software applications have become well known design and visualization tools in architecture firms around the country. The new classes are being offered all over the United States - to date, nearly 150 classes in 17 states. All classes are taught by the most qualified SketchUp trainers around. Between them, the School instructors have instructed over 10,000 architects and design professionals around the country. For more information about the new classes, please visit http://go-2-school.com/live

Many of AIA CES registered providers offer distance education.  Please look at the distance education page of providers including free courses some providers offer.

The Institute's Bylaws provide as follows:

2.121 Title. Architect members in good standing may print and otherwise use in connection with their practice and work:

a) the initials AIA as a suffix to their names and

b) the titles Member of The American Institute of Architects and Member of the (assigned chapter or state organization) of The American Institute of Architects.

2.122 Pin and Symbol. Architect members may use the gold AIA lapel pin and AIA symbol within the limitations established by the Board.

The Institute's Rules of the Board state:

2.121 Institute Symbol. The Institute symbol may be used in the same manner as the seal and may also be used by Architect members and their firms on their letterheads, business cards, signs, brochures, and other business materials related to their practice, provided that all of the names of living architects included in a firm's name are members of the Institute. The symbol may not be used by a firm that does not include the names of member architects in the firm name. No other use of the symbol may be made without specific approval by the Executive Committee. The Institute symbol may be used in the same manner as the seal and may also be used by Architect members and their firms on their letterheads, business cards, signs, brochures, and other business materials related to their practice, provided that all of the names of living architects included in a firm's name are members of the Institute. The symbol may not be used by a firm that does not include the names of member architects in the firm name. No other use of the symbol may be made without specific approval by the Executive Committee.

2.122 Use of Membership Title by Firm. When the majority of financial ownership in a professional architectural firm is held by registered architects, and all the registered architect principals are AIA members, that firm may use the phrase, "Members of The American Institute of Architects" in its public listings.

The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) is holding its annual conference "The Future of the Profession" at the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel and Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario from April 30 to May 3, 2008.  For more information, please visit Canadian Architect.