Healthy materials course

Kate, One of our senior interior designers is taking the Parsons course and recommends it. She had this to say: " What I took away from the coursework was not simply what resources are there that I can access – but an expanded mindset about importance and approach to better integrate healthy materials into my projects." She has since used this knowledge to get one of our Puget Sound area clients excited about our efforts to avoid bioaccumulative and persistent substances based on their love of Orcas. I'm not aware of anyone here having experience with the AIA program, so I don't get any bonus points. Mike Manzi RA, CSI, CDT, LEED BD+C Bora Architects 503 226 1575 F

Hi Kate,  We have several taking the HML's course due to the cast of contributors/instructors being frankly incredible (inspiring to sustainability specialists, engineers, and designers alike it appears). I can follow-up in very near future, as DLR Group's group enrollment closed just a few days ago, so folks are making moves this week. Big shout to Parsons for offering group pricing.  However, as a participant of Materials Matter during its inaugural run in Seattle, I very much appreciated the exposure to LCA balanced with "precautionary principle" / ingredient-specific vetting, or the facets of human health certifications types and literacy. I also was grateful for exposure to endocrinologists and oceanographers, which helped me get my brain beyond the built environment for an augmented take on the why. Both HML and MM have cross-industry contributors.  Having attended Materials Matter in person, I can't speak to if the content AIA now hosts is the same or not. But, I found Materials Matter to be well-balanced when it comes to evaluating which path folks can make moves towards optimizing: ingredient health, environmental health, or the instances where both can be achieved.  J M-A  Jill L. Maltby-Abbott, WELL AP | Associate | DLR Group jmaltby@dlrgroup.com | 206-461-6053

Kate -  We had a large group take the Parson's Healthier Materials Certificate program last semester and another one just started for spring semester. The feedback has been great. I completed the program in the Fall to better understand how to support the staff that went through the program, and the subject is presented well with many familiar faces. There were a few times where I felt like it should speed up, but overall it was excellent. As Jill stated, there is a great discount for group pricing. I believe the cost is $130-$220 per person (with fees) depending on the number registered. Since the course is offered by Parson's, it is tied to the academic calendar so you must start and complete within the semester (16-week period). I uploaded the HML Syllabus and group discount packet.  I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have.  Allison Smith asmith@hksinc.com  

I actually just completed the Parson's HML course as I'm considering it for staff education also, and I definitely feel like it's worth the (very small) investment.  We were planning to create our own education series, and the countless hours and dollars saved by purchasing what's already out there is a selling point alone.  There were a few times that the information felt repetitive, but for staff who have no or limited grasp of the content, it may be good for them to hear certain things more than once.  The first two courses do contain a lot of technical information so be prepared for peoples' eyes to glaze over, but the presenters are good (and often familiar) so it's as engaging as that type of material can be.  Unfortunately, I'm not going to get bonus points either as I have no experience with the AIA program.