Noteworthy

Certified Course Covers Architectural Entrance Systems

A new AIA/CES certified course that features building entrance options is being offered for architects, specifiers, interior designers and other design professionals. The AIA/CES program, Architectural Entrances: Managing Liability, Longevity and Looks, is a one-hour accredited course taught by Mats Inc. of Stoughton, MA. Upon completion, participants will be able to: design an effective entrance system, including structural requirements for a wide range of applications; identify, evaluate and specify appropriate products; and oversee installation of entrance systems, including compliance issues. The facilitators for the AIA/CES program, Architectural Entrances, have been trained on CES guidelines and presentation skills and attendees receive one HSW LU hour credit. Based on 35 years of research and experience in industry best practices, this program reviews matting alternatives and describes the Cleanzone™: entrance matting systems for the exterior, vestibule and lobby. Go to www.matsinc.com for more information.

Breakthrough Surfacing Solutions for Restaurant of the Future Designtex recently participated in the Restaurant of the Future exhibit at the Upper Midwest Foodservice and Lodging Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Architectural Alliance, a prominent Minneapolis-based architectural firm, was charged with the task of creating an interactive exhibit that explores new materials and design ideas for highly personalized dining environments of the future. The design team at Architectural Alliance specified a mix of Designtex's highperformance and sustainable products to help illustrate how state-ofthe- art materials can reinvent the way we experience a restaurant. The Restaurant of the Future project included the following Designtex products: Fusion architectural panels; Die-Cut Ingeo, which can be used as window treatments or room dividers; Appleseed, a piece dyed fabric with a high sheen accent yarn for visual depth and texture; and Hemp (U.S. Sava) which celebrates one of the world's most rapidly renewable fibers. More information about Designtex can be found at www.designtex.com.

< Faced with stiff competition in the job market, an increasing number of A/E firm leaders and HR directors are offering employees referral compensation bonuses to find new staff members. Data from ZweigWhite's 2007 Policies, Procedures & Benefits Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning & Environmental Consulting Firms shows 71 percent of firms compensate current employees for referrals—about 15 percent more than in the last five years. Over the past few years, an increasing number of principals in the A/E industry have reported staff recruitment and retention as one of their top challenges. Considering that 89 percent of firm leaders say referrals and word of mouth are their best sources of new hires, it's not surprising that more firms are offering financial rewards to their employees in an effort to find new staff. These referral bonuses typically range from $500 to $1,750 for each successful referral. Additional details about the survey are available at www.zweigwhite.com.

LATICRETE Joins Forces with Habitat for Humanity LATICRETE International Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, recently donated setting materials and provided several employees for the installation of ceramic tile floors in two New Haven, CT, homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. For the project, LATICRETE provided a crew of 12 employees to install the ceramic tile floors in the kitchen, main entrance and bathrooms of both homes. The LATICRETE team was led by Art Mintie, the firm's director of technical services and an accomplished installer, who oversaw the successful completion of the two-day effort. Since its inception in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has built and rehabilitated more than 150,000 houses for families in need, becoming a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. Comprehensive LATICRETE and industry information can be found on the Web at www.laticrete.com.

LATICRETE employees partnered with Habitat for Humanity and helped install ceramic tile floors in two homes in New Haven, CT.