The American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2016 National Convention theme is IMAGINE+, and hometown building products manufacturer CertainTeed Corporation is ready to inspire attendees with innovative building solutions that challenge the status quo. From May 19-21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the company will showcase its newest product technologies at booths #2210 and #2211, while hosting continuing education courses aimed at optimizing sustainability objectives in Learning Lounge #2011LL, hosted by sister company SageGlass. Architects will also have the chance to take an in-depth tour of the company’s new headquarters, aiming to become the first building in Pennsylvania to achieve double LEED Platinum status. 

“We welcome architects from throughout the United States to our backyard for AIA this year,” said Mara Villanueva-Heras, vice president of corporate marketing for CertainTeed. “Having just opened our new state-of-the art headquarters in nearby Malvern, we’re excited to bring architects to the building so they can experience our own ‘living laboratory’— a building constructed with over 40 products from CertainTeed and sister Saint-Gobain businesses, where the impact of combining those products is measured in relation to acoustics, energy, daylighting and indoor air quality. It’s truly a model for how buildings of the future will be constructed.”

 1. In-depth CEU courses

To earn more valuable CEU credits, the SageGlass Learning Lounge (#2011LL) will feature eight AIA-certified professional education sessions on evidence-based design and the latest energy-efficiency strategies. CertainTeed courses include “Sustainability at the Manufacturing Plant: Water and Energy Reduction Case Studies,” where attendees will learn how the goals of manufacturing and environmental stewardship can work together to make operational reduction projects possible; and “Net Zero Energy Home: Design Strategies and System Optimization,” which explores ways to achieve energy efficiency goals in residential construction. CertainTeed sister companies, Vetrotech and SAGE Electrochromics will also present courses on dynamic sun shading solutions and integrated window and lighting systems. Sign up here.

2. Innovative exterior and interior building material solutions

CertainTeed is dedicated to making it easy for architects and designers to develop the solutions they need to create beautiful spaces where people thrive. With two booths this year, a robust sampling of high performance exterior and interior products will be on display, including roofing, siding, gypsum board and insulation. Booth #2210 will feature acoustical ceiling and wall solutions that make commercial interiors sound, healthy, sustainable and beautiful. And new to AIA, Booth #2211 will include:

• Cedar Impressions Individual 5-inch Sawmill Shingles — An unparalleled polymer alternative to traditional cedar shingle siding featuring industry-first CedarLife color-through technology with TrueTexture molded textures and patterns, which simulate the exact look of natural cedar shingles sawn in a lumber mill.
• SilentFX QuickCut Noise-Reducing Drywall — A superior choice when compared to typical resilient channel or double layer wallboard applications, allowing acoustical control through a much less complicated installation process. It scores and snaps like regular drywall and achieves more reliable lab to field STC results when compared to traditional methods, where errors often occur when clips and channels are compromised at the job site.

3. A grand tour of a highly sustainable HQ

In conjunction with Saint-Gobain, CertainTeed is also hosting an event off-site at its new 320,000 square feet campus in Malvern on Wednesday, May 18. The building, aiming to be the first building in Pennsylvania to earn double LEED Platinum designation, also serves as a learning lab utilizing CertainTeed and Saint-Gobain company products. Attendees will learn about product selection and inspiration for occupant acoustic, thermal, and visual comfort; get a close look at the integrated design process of fire-rated glazing products; and discuss open office and ongoing occupant change management initiatives. Registration is required at convention.aia.org.

4. Visit the AIA Convention Parklet Design Competition

Parent company Saint-Gobain North America is the title sponsor and will also be hosting a parklet that mirrors the new North American headquarters in Malvern — a facility that redefines aesthetically-pleasing, comfortable workspaces. Visitors to the pop-up design competition can vote for their favorite design with People’s Choice winners announced each day during happy hours on May 19-20, across from the Centre for Architecture + Design, 1218 Arch Street.

For more information about CertainTeed, visit www.certainteed.com. For real-time updates, follow @CertainTeed on Twitter.