By Dianne M. Pogoda

An array of classes on universal design and certification prep is on tap. October is undoubtedly one of the busiest months of the year.

It occupies that window after languid summer vacations have drifted into back-to-school frenzy, but before end-of-year holiday prep gets into full swing. So, it’s a perfect time to get things done.

NKBA has a full slate of learning opportunities set for the month, including four sessions devoted to design principles and three multi-class courses for designers preparing to take the exam to become a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer.
In concert with the month’s theme of universal design and living/aging in place, the four design courses focus on principles and best practices for designing with people of all physical abilities. These free, one-hour courses are introductory-level, virtual instructor-led training sessions, offering 0.1 NKBA Continuing Education Unit each. They all start at 12 noon (Eastern Time).

On Oct. 2, the founders of the Living In Place Institute — Louie Delaware, MBA, BSME, CLIPP, CAPS, ACPC, and Erik Listou, CLIPP, CAPS, CAASH, CGR, CGP, CR, LDST — will teach “Living in Place Kitchen Designs — The How-To for Universal Design and Aging in Place.”

Delaware and Listou will explain how to accentuate positive aspects of home design and eliminate negativity. Their aim is to make all kitchens accessible, comfortable and safe. Attendees will learn how to build a business that creates inter-professional teams that can integrate the best designs and products for all clients, regardless of age or physical condition. Students will be able to differentiate between different Living in Place approaches for kitchens, integrate LIP principles into their kitchen designs, and develop a new business model that includes LIP considerations for the kitchen.

On Oct. 30, Listou and Delaware will present “Living in Place Bathroom Designs — The How-To for Universal Design and Aging in Place.” This course will cover the same concepts as the kitchen course, except will have a focus on design for the bathroom.

Lighting is critical in any design scheme. On Oct. 9, Barbara Mueller AKBD, CAPS, of Designs Anew Houston, LLC, will present “The Role of Light and Nature in Residential Design.” This course will cover the importance of designing spaces that incorporate nature — with its natural elements, materials and shapes — into residential interiors, based on proven principles that interactions with nature provide positive gains in productivity, increased healing rates, and even enhanced learning comprehension. Natural daylight helps to elevate mood as well as balance circadian rhythms to help regulate sleep.

This session will help designers explain to clients the importance of incorporating features such as natural views and elements, living systems, water components, breezes, sounds, scents, and natural forms into the design space, and identify elements of universal design that help improve the resident’s psychological, cognitive and physiological well-being.

At the heart of universal design is understanding and being able to communicate the principles behind it. On Oct. 10, Dani Polidor of Suite Artistry, a design firm serving the Rochester, N.Y.-Toronto area, will present “Top Tips for Implementing Universal Design Strategies.” Universal design complements the rules and regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into a personalized, customized, non-institutional look that can be at home across many residential and commercial settings.

The course describes UD principles and demonstrates how to explain the strategies that are effective across kitchen and bath custom cabinet settings. After the session, attendees will speak confidently about why universal design is important for all people and the elements that will dramatically improve life for those with hearing, visual, mobility or developmental disabilities.

As with all NKBA webinars, registration closes two hours prior to start time, and attendees must participate in at least 80 percent of the session in order to receive CEU credit.

There are three certification exam prep courses this month. Certified designers are more likely to find better jobs and earn more income than non-certified designers.

To help designers prepare for the CKBD test, a 12-session virtual instructor-led course will delve into the core concepts of the exam: Graphics & Presentation Standards, Design Solution (Planning and Safety) Elevation, Mechanical, Construction and Specifications.

At the end of the course, attendees should be able to apply problem solving techniques to a unique design solution based, on detailed client specifications; draw a complete set of design documents that identifies code requirements and the NKBA’s safety guidelines; complete the NKBA Specifications Form and identify potential issues within the client’s home, and identify design challenges based on real-life case studies

Participants will have homework assignments throughout the course, and will receive expert advice upon completion of the assignments. Participation in the meetings and completion of the homework assignments will provide 30 hours of NKBA education.

Sessions run Oct. 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 31, Nov. 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10. They are an hour-and-a-half each, from 1 to 2:30pm (Eastern Time). The cost to members is $699, and $749 to non-members. As a promotional pricing incentive, designers will receive a $100 rebate off the CKBD application fee upon passing the CKBD Exam Prep Course and the CKBD Exam, which must both be completed and passed to receive the rebate.

Judith A. Neary, CMKBD, teaches the full course comprising six kitchen and six bath modules. The sessions require attendees to use the Professional Resource Library – Complete 9 Volume Set, and a Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 headset or comparable unit with a microphone. Registrants must hold the NKBA certified Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) designation.

Designers who have already earned their Certified Bath Designer designation and who want the kitchen exam review only may take the six kitchen modules of Neary’s overall class, running Oct. 13, 16, 18, 20, 23 and 25, from 1 to 2:30 pm (Eastern Time). The cost to members is $399, and $449 to non-members. The course provides 1.5 CEUs and 15 NKBA Education Hours.

Similarly, designers who are already certified in kitchens and wish to obtain the full CKBD certification may take the six bath modules, Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10. It also costs members $399, and non-members $449, and provides 1.5 CEUs and 15 NKBA Education Hours.

Registrants must have intermediate drafting skills and mastery of NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines (including Access Standards and Code References), and the tools available to email completed assignments to the instructor. This includes scanning full size (11 x 17) hand-drafted assignments, if applicable. For the best audio and graphics, it is highly recommended that participants use a landline connection instead of wireless.

For full details and to register, visit NKBA.org, click on Learning, NKBA Courses, then on Course Calendar.