This course takes a detailed look at setting fees, providing you with in-depth understanding of the impact of risk and the value of the services architects provide.  You will learn "top-down", "bottom-up" and 'staff level" methods for building fees, with additional discussion of creating and managing contingencies properly.   Course expires on 5/21/2026.

Accessible design is inherently challenging because it’s not a "settled science." Standards are constantly evolving—sometimes even in conflict with one another. This course will cut through the confusion. Our discussion/exploration will: Review compliance missteps and achievements in real-world scenarios Identify phases of the design process where various concerns are best addressed Help you create a clear plan for accessibility success Address questions, comments, and concerns from members like you Hear from accessibility experts and learn from the experiences of your peers in this clarifying course. Course expires on 4/19/2026.

A disruptive innovation helps create a new market and value network. In this course, three professionals will demonstrate how firms can utilize these innovations to expand into more sustainable and resilient business models beyond traditional architecture. Learn how to: Utilize tools to re-conceptualize your firm's expanded services offerings Determine how expanded services integrate with your current business models Develop strategies for marketing expanded services to new and existing architectural clients Consider how expanded services augment opportunities for traditional architectural services offerings Course expires on 1/2/2026.

To get your projects right the first time, design and accessibility should go hand-in-hand. In this 3 part course, you'll learn the best practices for accessibility covering emerging trends, everyday mistakes made by contractors and architects and the best way to prepare drawings to get it right the first time. Don't let ADA compliance issues set you back and cost you money! Find out what it takes to avoid common mistakes and design for ADA compliance to the letter of the law. In Part 2, go in depth on compliance issues regarding accessible routes, ramps, parking spaces, protruding objects, doors and clear floor space, controls, and counters. Typical design issues will be highlighted regarding convenience stores, gas stations, and other retail outlets as well as specific cases involving owner decisions which negate ADA compliance. Course expires 5/22/2025

This course explores concepts related to the finances in running an architecture firm and risk management. Large firms, small firms as well as sole practitioners need financial plans and risk management plans to sustain their practices, relationships and livelihood. Risk management should be embedded into the DNA of any firm or project. Learn high level ideas related to capitalization and investing and how you can apply them using the ABC’s of finance (Agreements, Budgets & Billing, and Collections) as well as key principles and considerations in managing risk at both the firm and project levels. Course expires 05/30/2025

This course instructs architects and other design professionals about principles of intellectual property law as they relate to the creation, reproduction and use of original drawings, specifications and other documents. It is based on the premise that every design professional should have a solid working knowledge of intellectual property law, particularly copyright law, as it affects their work products and their use of other people’s work products. The issues have to do with compensation, professional credit and professional liability and are very important to the business of architecture. Course expires 4/19/2025

Within the context of business models, what are the characteristics that would make someone a successful entrepreneur? What are the obstacles for architects to break out of our traditional model? Economics plays a central role in our ability to expand services or take our practice in new directions.  Our expert panel, moderated by AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, considers ways in which architects can create new sources of revenue by expanding their practices in different ways and embracing new models for doing business.  Questions explored include how architects are uniquely suited to development, key measures for exploring development opportunities, and factors influencing the decision process around undertaking a new business venture.   This cutting-edge discussion will inspire and enlighten you. This course expires on 4/20/2026.  

The 2012 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code has been adopted by AHJs in many parts of the country. The 2012 IECC is a quantum leap forward in building performance and will have a significant impact on how architects and engineers work together to design high energy efficient, high performance buildings. In this course, speakers illustrate the changes in the code affecting architecture design and give an in depth look into the building science and physics behind the the changes and how they will result in significant energy reductions. They will emphasize that the process to achieve compliance must be a team effort among all members of the project early on and describe how to demonstrate compliance with the code and advantages and disadvantages for each pathway. This course is presented in collaboration with AIA Middle Tennessee, which produced the course and provided it for delivery on AIAU.  Course expires 5/22/2025

How many architects have you met who said that they got into architecture for money? More often than not, the element of creativity and design was the #1 motivating aspect for someone in the profession. But should it be? After viewing this course, you may become an architect who sees the word “profit” in a different way. Taking the steps and setting the foundation for a strong, healthy, profitable business can lead to an architect having the freedom to create art and more of it. This course presents the basic 12 fundamentals essential to a successful business in architecture, describing how they work and how to apply them in a small firm environment

Keynote speaker Jim Cramer and a panel of experts in the business of architecture offer insightful analysis on the state of the profession as well as the fundamentals and entrepreneurial possibilities of a solid business strategy. Questions considered include: business education for emerging professionals, factors limiting small firm success, alternative career paths, and opportunities architects have to expand their services beyond the traditional design firm. This is a master class in business strategy for practitioners, providing insight and inspiration for anyone interested in improving the way they do business. Course expires 4/20/2025