Embracing Empathy: A Spectrum of Pediatric Behavioral Health Design Strategies for a Continuum of Care

Join us to explore how to select the right air barrier product solutions for your building envelope needs. Evaluate performance characteristics of various materials, including fluid-applied membranes, self-adhered sheets, mechanically fastened wraps, and factory applied solutions. Explore key selection criteria like ease of installation, application conditions, material compatibility, and sealability.

Presented By: Brian Giebink, Gina Livingston-Smith
Available Credit(s): 1 LU/HSW

Designing for Dignity – Lessons From Building the Cordilleras Behavioral Health Campus

This session will share how Skanska, in partnership with San Mateo County and CannonDesign, delivered the new Cordilleras Behavioral Health campus. The project consists of four small-scale recovery centers plus a co‑housing building, for which Skanska had to integrate trauma‑informed design, anti‑ligature and commissioning requirements, biophilic strategies, noise and operations mitigation adjacent to an active facility, and solutions for low‑carbon/net‑zero performance. We’ll unpack how early, collaborative decision‑making prevents costly rework and ensures safety. Finally, we’ll discuss the sustainability strategies implemented to pursue low‑energy/net‑zero targets without compromising safety, security, or durability. Attendees will leave with replicable checklists, coordination tips, and lessons learned they can apply to behavioral health projects of all sizes.

Presented By: Lindsay Corotis, Laura Hawley, Brian Stevenson
Available Credit(s): 1 LU/HSW

Where Safety Meets Reality: Behavioral "Safer" Rooms Beyond Dedicated Units

Healthcare facilities are increasingly caring for patients with behavioral health needs outside of dedicated psychiatric units. As demand rises and resources remain limited, organizations are implementing behavioral "safer" rooms in emergency departments, medical-surgical units, outpatient settings, and public areas. This session explores emerging trends and practical strategies for integrating behavioral safety into non-behavioral environments. Participants will learn how the built environment can support operational protocols, reduce risk of self-harm and staff injury, and improve patient dignity during crisis. The presentation will address safety risk assessments, the gray areas within codes and guidelines, and the challenges of balancing behavioral safety, vandal resistance, and ADA requirements. Real-world planning considerations—including location, room elements, and MEP implications—will be discussed, along with the regulatory, operational, and patient experience impacts of implementing safer rooms across the continuum of care.

Presented By: Martyna Falloni, Briana Cornell Hipkins
Available Credit(s): 1 LU/HSW

Emerging Materials: Benefits and Limitations of MgO-Based Sheathing Products

As performance, durability, and liability concerns increase, architects and specifiers are re‑evaluating sheathing options; particularly magnesium oxide (MgO)-based boards. This course provides a technical overview of MgO sheathing, focusing on how material chemistry affects moisture behavior, corrosion risk, long‑term durability, and system performance. The session reviews key properties of MgO boards versus traditional sheathing, lessons learned from early‑generation products, advancements in current MgO technologies, and quality control and testing methods used today. Fire performance is examined through NFPA 285 and combustibility testing to clarify when MgO systems are appropriate for commercial wall assemblies.

Presented By: Adam Broderick
Available Credit(s): 1 LU/HSW

ArmorWall™ System: Efficiency Meets Strength

This is a Product SpotLight Presentation.Discover how ArmorWall™ enables fast, hassle-free cladding attachment—preserving R-value and simplifying installation. Learn how it supports multiple cladding types and the science-backed method for installing stucco over the system using ASTM 1063 and ArmorDry™

Presented By: Chip Bisignaro
Available Credit(s): N/A

Combustible Building Materials Under International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

This course will provide attendees with valuable information and context endeavoring to help improve a practical understanding of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) and its implications on the uses of certain combustible building materials in the building envelope. The course will discuss how the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) is designed and structured to supplement other I-Codes (e.g., the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC)) as opposed to exist as a stand-alone code. Course content will include helpful background and theory behind the wildfire hazards the IWUIC is intended to mitigate. Most importantly, the course will provide attendees with understanding and examples of how combustible building materials and assemblies are suitable, viable options for use in construction under the IWUIC and capable of complying with the applicable requirements.

Presented By: Eric Banks
Available Credit(s): 1 LU/HSW

Product SpotLight: RSIC®-ADAPT

This is a Product SpotLight Presentation. Want spring performance without the complexity? Learn how the RSIC®-ADAPT works, where it excels, and why it’s the next revolution in high-performance sound isolation. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, contractor, or acoustics professional, this session focuses on the key benefits, real-world applications, and performance advantages that make RSIC®-ADAPT a game-changing solution. Spring performance with the installation simplicity of RSIC-1.

Presented By: Drake Hintz
Available Credit(s): N/A

PVC101 - The Benefits & Uses of Cellular PVC Trim

During this presentation, architects will learn the basics about how cellular PVC is made, compared to other PVC products (such as celuka) and how the ingredient affects performance. Best practices in specifying and working with cellular PVC will also be discussed, as well as green attributes of PVC manufacturing and processing. Finally, some design applications of cellular PVC profiles and associated millwork will be presented.

Presented By: John Pepe
Available Credit(s): 1 LU/HSW