As a technology magazine for commercial architects, ARCHI-TECH not only talks the talk but walks the walk, using technology to deliver information and create unique educational opportunities that are available anytime, anywhere. With the busy schedules of today’s architects, on-demand educational opportunities are essential to professional development.

To meet this need, ARCHI-TECH conducts e-Lunch & Learns that offer education plus the chance to earn AIA continuing education credits (CEUs) in the privacy of one's own office. These are archived on the ARCHI-TECH website.

ARCHI-TECH has partnered with industry professionals to present the 1-hour educational courses. Here’s a recap of the 2006 AIA-approved e-Lunch & Learns:

“Designing Collaborative Communication Facilities,” presented by SPL Integrated Solutions, focuses on creating a successfully integrated communications structure for executive boardrooms, presentation rooms, conference rooms, and other venues.

Key issues to consider when designing collaborative communication facilities are at the core of the presentation - from determining the correct size of a video screen, to the advantages of rear and front screen projection, to correct lighting conditions.

The presentation rounds out with a primer on technologies used in collaborative communication facilities including projectors, large-format flat screen displays, cameras, and touch screen and Web browser control panels.

“Network Centric AV in Multi-Site Collaboration Environments,” presented by Barco Visual Solutions, addresses collaboration and audiovisual in local and network solutions.

Architects are taught how to identify the major design needs for local collaborative systems through a needs analysis: What drives the client’s need for collaboration? What type of environment is the collaboration taking place in?

Key considerations to the overall system design, such as screen resolution, aspect ratio, and projection angle, are examined. Architects are encouraged to consider the clients’ needs for usability and viewing capability, staying focused on network collaboration.

Diagrams of video/RGB and control systems illustrate connectivity options for distributing and routing data. Components of these systems, such as switchers, routers, and scalers, are defined to help designers determine what solutions will best suit their clients’ collaboration needs.

The course then shifts to a detailed look at network collaboration. Through a series of illustrations, designers can understand how local collaboration is extended to the network for multi-site collaboration.

Lastly, architects are provided an explanation of the return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) positions of these collaborative solutions, the advantages, and the problems that are solved.

“Networked Presentation Systems: Architecture and Implementation,” also presented by Barco Visual Solutions, picks up where “Network Centric AV in Multi-Site Collaboration Environments” leaves off by helping designers understand the basic concepts of the network infrastructure that will help them integrate a complete solution for networked presentation systems.

The course begins by identifying two main issues related to design and integration when working with networked AV systems across multiple locations: interconnectivity and interoperability. Common solutions and approaches to these two issues are explored through an examination of product features and illustrations of network topologies.

Key considerations when selecting a topology and an examination of wireless security concerns help designers understand the implications and ideas involved with AV devices and asset management.

Possible solutions for content delivery are explored by revisiting user and administrative needs. Through an examination of hardware connectivity options and features for network management and content delivery, possible solutions are selected that meet those user and administrative needs. The presentation concludes with an illustration of each solution through a series of diagrams.

To view these webinars, and to take the test to earn 1 Learning Unit, please visit www.architechmag.com/elunchandlearn.