April’s webinars, generously sponsored by Geberit, are all about environmentally friendly design.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Sustainable design is much more than a buzzword, and it’s gaining more prominence in design every day. There are many ways to incorporate eco-friendly products, fixtures and design to promote a healthy lifestyle, and April’s webinars explore some of them.
NKBA’s free monthly series in April is generously sponsored by Geberit, a global leader in plumbing technology. In North America, the company specializes in concealed systems for wall-hung toilets and fixtures that improve the look of any bathroom by hiding unsightly plumbing hardware, allowing more usable space, improved hygiene and better accessibility.
Each month, NKBA offers free 60-minute webinars, each featuring a presentation by a specific subject matter expert, delivered via a virtual platform. The sessions offer certified participants 0.1 CEU per event — it’s an easy way for designers to collect the CEUs needed to maintain NKBA certification. Participants must engage in 80 percent of the live sessions to receive CEU credit; registration closes two hours prior to start times. All webinars begin at 12 noon, Eastern Time. Visit www.nkba.org to register.
The month starts off on April 1 with “Responding to the Demand for ‘Green’ Living without Sacrificing Luxury.” Christine Tingen, showroom manager for Ferguson in Raleigh, N.C., and Kelsey Bergan, director of sustainability at Ferguson in Newport News, Va., say conservation is a high priority for consumers today, and that homeowners and contractors are savvier when it comes to selecting energy-saving products for kitchen, bath and lighting that conserve water and energy. Whether to save resources or to save money, when customers ask about sustainable products, such as an environmentally friendly shower option, they want to know about product performance.
Tingen and Bergan will dispel myths related to conservation — for instance, that to save water, a client must sacrifice water pressure. They’ll show how sophisticated design innovations afford a luxurious showering experience while still saving natural resources. They will show how designers can plan for and incorporate sustainable products into upcoming projects, identify ways to enjoy luxury products while incorporating sustainability and share some of the newest kitchen, bath, and lighting products in the sustainable space.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Next up, on April 14, Richard Rossi, national account manager for Niagara Corp., presents “Water Savings with Every Flush: Improving Water Conservation in High-Performance Buildings.” As climate change, population growth and record droughts present an unprecedented strain on the water supply, conservation technology is building awareness about the importance of using the most water-efficient fixtures possible.
This session recognizes the flush toilet as one of the biggest users of water, and Rossi will discuss how toilet design is pushing flush technology to develop ways to conserve water without sacrificing the performance. He’ll also evaluate industry testing protocols and the water-saving capabilities of different technologies. Attendees will learn about why water use is fundamentally different from energy use, why water conservation is essential, and how to evaluate and compare the water efficiency of different flush technologies and discuss some of the regulatory challenges regarding toilet water use.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Some people might think that “eco-friendly” means “no style.” On April 21, Tim West, director of sales (West) for Native Trails will discuss “Artisanal Craft in Sustainable Spaces,” to celebrate the value of incorporating artisanal, handcrafted fixtures and furnishings into a building’s design. These products are unique, functional, and aesthetically appealing, and also establish a sense of connection with their maker. Many artisanal handcrafted products use traditional techniques that have been handed down over time, and are often made from locally available, sustainable, recycled or reclaimed materials. They can help reduce the environmental impact of a new build. This session illustrates how sourcing artisan-made products for projects can allow designers and builders to affect social, economic and environmental change.
Attendees will learn how designer and consumer interests have evolved to include products that demonstrate sustainable, environmental, ethical and socio-cultural values;
how to identify a variety of sustainable and reclaimed materials used by artisans for home, commercial, and hospitality design, and discuss the importance of material transparency, traceability and third-party certifiers to the maker and the consumer. West will also illustrate how sustainable craft plays a strong role in protecting and caring for the environment, stimulates employment, enhances people’s lives, and preserves cultural heritage.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Rounding out the month, Robin R. Fisher, CMKBD, CAPS, principal designer at Robin Rigby Fisher Design, will present “Good Design IS Sustainable” on April 28. Fisher will illustrate how to improve clients’ lifestyles while lessening their impact on the environment — and how to increase the bottom line along the way. Fisher will address how to design kitchen spaces, storage and equipment to better serve clients and the environment. Proper food storage can reduce food waste, which saves food from ending up in landfills and it supports a healthy lifestyle. She’ll also talk about trends that are bringing new equipment into the kitchen — which all needs to be planned for — as well as trends of getting back to the basics of home gardens and preservation techniques.
Attendees will learn about the impact of residential consumer food waste on the environment; gain understanding of how design and product selection can alleviate waste; hear tips and tricks for food preservation, and develop knowledge of current technology and the future of the food industry.
To register for this webinar, click here.
