Education (CEU-AIA & IDCEC)
Fundermax is committed to partnering with architects to provide relevant and engaging AIA and IDCEC-certified CEU presentations on Exterior, Interior, and Lab design trends and topics.
Want a quick overview of all our course options? Download our AIA CEU course overview - great to keep on hand in your library for whenever you're ready!
EXTERIOR
From rainscreen mounting systems to the full case for HPL compact cladding, these courses walk architects through how phenolic panels perform, install, and hold up on the building envelope – covering design, code compliance, and sustainability along the way.
From Vision to Reality: Elevating Building Design with Phenolic Panels
- Understand the manufacturing process and composition of phenolic compact panels.
- Select the proper rainscreen mounting system for a phenolic panel facade to achieve the intended design based on aesthetics/ budget
- Understand the long-term value of phenolic panels as exterior facades and how they contribute to
sustainability and longevity - Explore the impact, strategies, and outcomes that have helped businesses overcome obstacles and achieve goals in phenolic panel facades
Using High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) Compact Panels for Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreen Wall Systems
This course is designed to help architects and designers understand what HPL Compact is and the benefits of using this material as cladding in rainscreen systems. We will discuss how the product is manufactured, applications for the product in exterior construction, design considerations, installation details, code compliance, and sustainability. We will also cover the basics of rainscreen design and function.
- Understand how HPL compact panels are manufactured and how they are classified according to EN 438
- Recall the performance and aesthetic benefits of HPL compact cladding and describe some HPL compact panel installation methods
- Understand the history of rainscreen construction and the benefits of using this method in exterior wall design
- Describe how a drained and back-ventilated rainscreen functions, its design requirements, and its components
Mounting Methods for High Pressure Compact Laminate Facades
This program will provide education and an understanding of the components and mounting of HPL panels in a rainscreen facade.
- Understand the components involved in mounting high-pressure laminate panels on a façade
- Have an awareness of the different aesthetics that can be achieved with HPL mounting systems
- Know the pros and cons of various materials used as HPL mounting systems
- Select the proper HPL mounting system details for their intended design
- Design an HPL façade with proper airflow and drainage
- Understand attachment methods for continuous insulation and for HPL panels and how they interact
- Know what questions to ask in terms of code compliance with HPL assembly options
INTERIOR
Explore why phenolic panels are a smart choice for interior wall cladding – combining durability, design versatility, and sustainability in one cost-effective material, with practical guidance on proper installation.
Phenolic Panels: The Ultimate Sustainable, Durable, Versatile, and Cost-Effective Interior Wall Cladding
- Understand how phenolic panels are made and how this contributes to excellent sustainability.
- Learn the durability aspects of these panels and the composition that is ideal for interior wall cladding.
- Be able to relay the design versatility and cost effectiveness of using phenolic panels in interior applications.
- Understand the installation requirements needed in the proper use of phenolic panels for interior wall linings.
High Pressure Laminates: A Comparison of Compact Phenolic and 1mm HPL Panels
High Pressure Laminates are widely used throughout commercial interior applications due to their versatility, durability, and design flexibility. While both Compact Phenolic panels and 1mm High Pressure Laminate (HPL) originate from the same manufacturing technology, they serve distinctly different functions within the built environment.
This course examines the key differences between these two materials, including their manufacturing processes, structural properties, performance characteristics, fabrication requirements, installation methods, and lifecycle costs. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how each material performs in various environments and applications, enabling informed material selection and project specifications.
- Understand manufacturing differences between compact phenolic and thin HPL laminates
- Compare panel performance in durability, structural, fire, and lifecycle cost
- Identify appropriate applications and industry uses for each material and design possibilities
- Learn fabrication and installation considerations of both compact and HPL laminates
- Understand specification considerations for architectural projects
LABORATORY
From selecting the right worksurface to renovating with sustainability and embodied carbon in mind, these courses give lab planners the tools to make confident, durable, and cost-conscious material decisions for any lab space.
Reducing Embodied Carbon in Lab Design
- You will be able to summarize and effectively address the issue of embodied carbon in construction
- Implement strategies to action change through design and material selection, with emphasis on the use of EPDs
- Compare and contrast materials (with particular focus on work surfaces) suited for lab design that can enable a reduction in carbon and/or net-zero carbon materials
- Understand pertinent test data to highlight the sustainability of products and summarize available tools to assess embodied carbon when selecting materials
Sustainability in Lab Design
- You will be able to summarize current design trends with a focus on sustainable lab design
- Be able to summarize embodied carbon and the different material life cycle stages
- Implement strategies to action change through design and material selection, with emphasis on the use of EPDs
- Compare and contrast materials (with particular focus on work surfaces) suited for lab design that can enable a reduction in carbon and/or net-zero carbon materials
- Understand pertinent test data to highlight the sustainability of products and summarize available tools to assess embodied carbon when selecting materials
Sustainable Lab Renovation
- Determine when an existing lab space requires renovation
- Highlight benefits and challenges of lab space renovation versus new construction
- Identify current trends in lab design and determine how they can best be applied in the newly renovated space
- Choose and specify durable, affordable, and sustainable materials for the renovation
- Compare and contrast various lab work surfaces and highlight which would best meet the various requirements of a sustainable renovated lab space
Selecting Laboratory Worksurfaces
- Understand why choosing the right laboratory worksurface matters, given how constantly clients rely on it
- Compare laboratory worksurface options based on characteristics, applications, benefits, limitations, sustainability, and installation
- Identify the key considerations needed to write accurate, effective worksurface specifications
- Recognize common laboratory worksurface problems and learn how to avoid or address them