If there is one thing that characterises the 21st century it is the speed of technological and economic changes, and the fleeting nature of design trends. In this computer age, any advance in professional disciplines such as architecture or design quickly spreads around the world thanks to social networks, conferences and exhibitions, in a race to see who can be the first to complete a project incorporating new technology. And although it may seem obvious, this instantaneous nature of changes and proposals in a professional sector is reflected at a global level.
With this backdrop, ongoing training for architecture professionals has become an essential tool to be able to quickly react to market demands, where new projects are required to use the latest materials or put new knowledge into practice to respond to environmental demands, or even merely to remain competitive. Not being aware what is happening or, worse still, not being interested in the changes taking place in any discipline could well represent a serious competitive disadvantage.
One way to be able to respond to these professional demands is to acquire knowledge on ongoing training courses offered by universities, Architecture Associations, foundations and private companies. In this vein, COMPAC Surfaces is committed to providing its experience and knowledge on courses that have been approved by two prestigious institutions: the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the America Institute of Architects (AIA). These trainings are available in both countries with the supervision and approval of both institutions, ensuring participants that the course meet quality criteria and are useful for professionals.
Uncovering the possibilities of materials
COMPAC offers its experience in manufacturing and using technological quartz and marble, providing training on their properties for inclusion in a project or their suitability for use in specific spaces. As COMPAC Surfaces states, the course covers the creative architectural design possibilities of both materials for interior and exterior uses such as façades or apartment floors, walls and work surfaces. In addition, the training demonstrates how to use them in kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
The company also provides technical information on durability, flexibility, resistance, maintenance, porosity and environmental efficiency, in addition to the different available thicknesses. In turn, information pertaining to the international certifications applicable to these materials is provided, the colour and texture possibilities available today, alongside different formats for different projects. One of the most interesting aspects of the course is the case studies that show what type of material was used alongside all the technical breakdown.
“We show the entire gamut of creative possibilities these materials offer”, the company explains, underlining the fact that the courses are not marketing activities since they have been approved by RIBA and AIA, meaning tight control over the syllabus, including rules that even govern the inclusion or removal of company logos. In this light, Zsofia Faix explains that in order for companies such as COMPAC to be able to offer these courses through RIBA, they need to have a supervisor from the institution itself; in turn, the AIA requires them to pass a final evaluation handed out to participants to rate the training.
For example, COMPAC’s training “Rethinking the Way of Design: Technological Marble and Quartz as a Passionate Creative Process“ is an hour-long course worth one credit, given by a COMPAC professional with in-depth knowledge on the topic. And where can you take these courses? As Zsofia Faix explains, “they are usually run at the architect’s practice during break times. In the US, we go to architects’ offices at lunch time to optimise the time invested by participants. After explaining the topic with photos from projects where quartz and marble have been used, attendees can ask specific questions for advice on how to use them and their features in specific cases”.
