Arc Interiors

Synopsis

Foodservice environments are among the most technically complex spaces within a building, yet they have a profound impact on the guest experience, operational success, and overall design narrative. This session explores how architects, interior designers, and foodservice consultants can work collaboratively from the earliest stages of planning to create hospitality, retail, and dining environments that seamlessly balance aesthetics, functionality, accessibility, and operational efficiency. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of foodservice programming, space planning, bar design, front-of-house concepts, and the critical building systems that support them.

Through real-world examples and practical design strategies, attendees will learn how to effectively allocate space for back-of-house operations, design efficient and engaging bar and service environments, incorporate open kitchens and retail food concepts, and understand the implications of ventilation, refrigeration, and beverage systems on the built environment. By bridging the gap between technical requirements and design intent, this course equips design professionals with the knowledge needed to create foodservice spaces that are both highly functional and thoughtfully integrated into the overall architectural vision.

Synopsis

Light is the most powerful invisible force in the built environment, yet one of the most underused. We spend 90% of our lives indoors, yet most artificial lighting quietly works against the body rather than with it. For designers committed to practicing at the highest level, that gap represents a missed opportunity.Purposeful, human-centered lighting elevates every project beyond form and function into something more fundamental: the felt experience of a space that supports us. It shapes how we move through time, from morning clarity to afternoon focus to evening relaxation. It influences sleep, mood, cognitive performance, and the ease that comes from inhabiting a space that simply feels right. Imagine an environment that seamlessly supports across the full arc of a day, not through technology you notice, but through the quiet power of what you don’t.Together, we’ll examine how the circadian system works, why light is its primary signal, and how that biological reality shapes spaces that clients can see, feel, and articulate as value. Real-world projects will anchor the discussion throughout.You’ll leave with a research-informed framework for recognizing where dynamic, wellness-focused lighting has the most potential to transform a project, and the language to make that case to clients and collaborators alike. Understanding the power of dynamic light is the first step toward designing spaces that transcend form and function, they truly support the way we live, work, feel and learn.

Synopsis

Today’s workforce is experiencing a significant generational shift as Millennials and Generation Z become the largest and fastest-growing segments of the professional landscape. As organizations adapt to changing workplace expectations, many leaders find themselves navigating new challenges in recruiting, retaining, motivating, and developing emerging talent. This session explores the characteristics, values, and career priorities that shape younger professionals, while examining common disconnects between traditional workplace cultures and the expectations of the next generation.

Through research, industry insights, and practical examples, participants will gain a deeper understanding of what attracts young professionals to organizations, what drives long-term engagement, and why retention has become increasingly difficult across many industries. The course will examine topics such as career development, workplace culture, mentorship, flexibility, communication styles, purpose-driven work, and leadership opportunities. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for creating environments where younger employees feel valued, empowered, and invested in their professional growth. By understanding the motivations and aspirations of the workforce of tomorrow, organizations can strengthen talent pipelines, foster greater collaboration across generations, and build resilient teams prepared for the future.

Synopsis

Your clients are asking. Your project teams are navigating. And the certification landscape keeps growing. For interior architects and commercial designers, sustainability frameworks have become both a competitive differentiator and a daily operational reality, yet few resources translate those systems into clear design guidance.This session does exactly that. Drawing on direct experience leading certification strategy with the U.S. Green Building Council and the International WELL Building Institute, Ara will compare LEED, the WELL Building Standard, and Green Globes side by side, clarifying what each system actually demands of interior design, where they overlap, and how to align certification pathways with project scope, client priorities, and budget realities.The session goes beyond the scorecard. Attendees will explore how specific design decisions around materials selection, air quality, lighting, acoustics, and biophilic integration can satisfy certification requirements while also delivering measurable gains in occupant performance and long-term asset value. For commercial interiors especially, these outcomes increasingly matter to owners, tenants, and investors alike.Whether you are steering a client toward their first certification or managing concurrent frameworks across a portfolio, this session gives you the strategic clarity to lead that conversation and the design vocabulary to back it up.