PRL Learning Objectives
NKBA Professional Resource Library
Learning Objectives
An NKBA requirement for building a kitchen and bath curriculum is to incorporate all learning objectives and body of knowledge content found in the NKBA Professional Resource Library (PRL) multi-volume set of books into appropriate courses. It is required that these NKBA materials are incorporated into an existing degree program or be used to create a new kitchen and bath certificate or degree program.
For easy reference, the learning objectives for the recently updated second edition books (Kitchen Planning, Bath Planning, Kitchen & Bath Residential Construction and Systems, Kitchen & Bath Business and Project Management) are listed below by chapter
Title / Chapter / Learning Objectives /Kitchen Planning, 2nd Edition / 1 Kitchen History, Research, and Trends / 1. Describe how evolving lifestyles have affected trends over time.
2. Explain how kitchen design research has contributed to the NKBA Planning Guidelines.
2 Infrastructure Considerations / 1. Identify infrastructure needs assessment issues that can be posed by floors, wall, windows, and plumbing.
3 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations / 1. Identify and discuss sustainable products and practices for the kitchen.
2. Identify and discuss policies and practices for the efficient management of energy, water, and waste in the design and construction of the kitchen.
3. Identify and discuss policies and practices for healthy housing.
4 Human Factors and Universal Design Foundation / 1. Define and describe universal design.
2. Define and describe anthropometry and its relation to universal design
3. Identify and list basic components of universal design as outlined in the Principles of Universal Design.
4. Recognize some of the sources of information on access available in laws, codes, and related standards.
5 Assessing Needs / 1. Identify and list the needs of a client in preparation for the development of a design plan for a kitchen.
2. Describe the purpose and elements of a design program.
6 Kitchen Planning / 1. Identify the right kitchen type for your client and their home.
2. Describe the various centers (sink, refrigeration and cooking, serving, and dining) and space planning considerations that combine to create the kitchen layout.
3. Describe how the kitchen planning guidelines and access standards can be used to design kitchens that meet building code requirements and human factors recommendations.
4. Describe the planning considerations that will influence the design of specialty kitchens.
7 Mechanical Planning / 1. Explain the mechanical systems that should be considered in kitchen planning.
2. Describe important considerations for planning ventilation and lighting systems for a kitchen.
8 Accessibility in Practice / 1. Describe the differences between universal design and accessibility.
2. Provide examples of the universal design principles that apply to variation abilities, grouped as follows: sensory, cognitive and perceptual, and physical characteristics and needs.
3. Identify kitchen design concepts for addressing sensory, cognitive and perceptual, and physical characteristics and needs.
9 More Than a Kitchen / 1. Discuss auxiliary spaces that are adjacent to or within the kitchen that include a foyer, planning center, laundry area, craft/hobby area, gardening area, and other social spaces.
10 Putting It All Together / 1. Describe and explain the stages of the design process.
2. Identify and describe the parts of a typical design program.
3. Use a design program to develop a completed design drawing.
Bath Planning, 2nd Edition / 1 Bathroom History, Research, and Trends / 1. Describe how evolving lifestyles and technologies have impacted bathroom trends over time.
2. Describe new trends in present-day bathroom design.
2 Infrastructure Considerations / 1. Identify infrastructure needs assessment issues that can be posed by floors, walls, windows, and plumbing.
3 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations / 1. Identify and discuss sustainable products and practices for the bathroom.
2. Identify and discuss energy and water efficient policies and practices in the design and construction of the bathroom.
3. Identify and discuss policies and practices for healthy housing.
4 Human Factors and Universal Design Foundation / 1. Define and describe universal design.
2. Define and describe anthropometry and its relation to universal design.
3. Identify and list basic components of universal design as outlined in the Principles of Universal Design.
4. Recognize some of the sources of information on access available in laws, codes, and related standards.
5 Assessing Needs / 1. Identify and list the needs of a client in preparation for the development of a design plan for a bathroom.
2. Describe the purpose and elements of a design program.
6 Bathroom Planning / 1. Identify the right bath type for your client and their home.
2. Describe the various centers (grooming, bathing, toileting) and space planning considerations that combine to create the bathroom layout.
3. Describe how the Bathroom Planning Guidelines and Access Standards can be used to design bathrooms that meet building code requirements and human factors recommendations.
7 Mechanical Planning / 1. Explain the mechanical systems that should be considered in bath planning.
2. Describe important considerations for planning ventilation and lighting systems for a bathroom.
8 Accessibility in Practice / 1. Describe the differences between universal design and accessibility.
2. Provide examples of the universal design principles that apply to variations in abilities, grouped as follows: sensory perception and cognitive and physical characteristics and needs.
3. Identify design concepts for sensory perception and cognitive and physical characteristics and needs.
9 More Than a Bathroom / 1. Discuss auxiliary spaces that are adjacent to or within the bathroom that include clothes closet, dressing area, linen closet, laundry area, exercise area, and home spa.
10 Putting It All Together / 1. Describe and explain the stages of the design process.
2. Identify and describe the parts of a typical design program.
3. Use a design program to develop a completed design drawing.
Kitchen & Bath Products and Materials / 1 Cabinetry / 1. Describe the differences between frame and frameless cabinetry as it relates to case construction material and sizing differences.
2. Recognize some of the sources offering interior storage systems.
3. Explain the difference between cabinet doors or fronts constructed from solid woods versus veneer surfacing materials.
4. Provide a comprehensive listing of planning concerns when working with vendors.
5. Outline the key categories of the KCMA Certification Program process and the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program.
6. Identify typical cabinet configurations and available sizing for kitchens, bathrooms, and other home storage centers.
Code 4103 / 2 Appliance Types and Planning Considerations / 1. Provide comprehensive information about energy efficiency ratings available for appliances as well as ways users can reduce the energy consumed when operating various kitchen appliances.
2. Explain how the major appliances function in the three primary work centers in a residential kitchen. This review provides the foundation knowledge needed when selecting from various manufacturers’ offerings.
3. Identify and categorize what types of heat transference methods ae available for the home cook.
4. Describe the differences between the major categories of ventilation systems, and explain the interconnected specification requirement of appliance plus location plus duct path planning.
3 Fixture Materials / 1. Describe the different materials that kitchen and bathroom fixtures are made of, comparing their durability attributes.
2. Provide examples of specialty materials used for bathroom lavatories.
3. Identify which materials are most appropriate for sanitary fixtures, such as toilets and lavatories.
4 Fixture Design and Planning Considerations / 1. Identify the different configurations available for kitchen sinks and bathroom lavatories.
2. Describe the various toilet-flushing systems as they relate to water-saving attributes and high-performance standards.
3. Explain the planning considerations appropriate for the residential installation of a bidet versus a bidet/seat combination.
4. Describe how jetted bathtubs aerate water for a restful and invigorating bathing experience.
5. Understand job site planning considerations for all kitchen and bathroom fixture installations.
5 Fitting Materials, Engineering, and Configuration / 1. Describe the differences in construction materials and finish options as well as various configurations available for kitchen and bathroom faucets.
2. Explain the differences among manual, sensor, and electromagnetic contact faucet controls.
3. Categorize the various configurations of kitchen and bathroom faucets.
4. Provide a comprehensive list of operational attachments available for kitchen sink and bathroom lavatory areas.
5. Explain how fitting design impacts the temperature and volume controls of the faucetry.
6 Bathtub and Shower Fitting Design and Engineering / 1. Detail the water delivery and removal fitting and system component parts for bathing and showering.
2. Explain how fittings can protect the user from scalding hot water.
3. Provide a description, with detailed drawings, of popular types of multi-head shower enclosures.
4. Review basic planning considerations for steam showers and saunas.
7 Surfacing Materials / 1. Discuss attributes of primary surfacing materials, with a focus on how the materials are fabricated and what their recommended uses are.
2. Detail specific design considerations when specifying the materials discussed.
3. Explain the different categories of product offerings within broad groupings of surfacing materials.
Kitchen & Bath Residential Construction & Systems, 2nd Edition / 1 The Building Team / 1. Describe the areas of expertise of those who may interact in the design of a residence.
2. Describe the areas of expertise of those who may install or construct all or portions of a residence.
3. Differentiate the roles of each member of a building team.
2 Building Codes / 1. Recognizing the history and objectives of building codes.
2. Differentiate between codes that address specific systems in the building.
3. Identify codes that have developed to address emergent concerns for the environments, energy efficiency, sustainability, and persons with special needs.
3 Designing Healthy Houses / 1. Identify the substances produced by certain building materials that can permeate the interior and pose health risks to occupants.
2. Recognize substances that pose health risks through absorption through the skin or eyes or by ingestion.
3. List measures a designer can utilize to minimize the health risks of building materials to the occupants.
4 Maximizing Energy Efficiency / 1. Explain how to maximize energy conservation in the design of the building envelope.
2. Identify natural energies that can contribute to the heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting of the building.
3. Recognize how specifying efficient equipment can augment the use of natural energies.
5 Using natural Energies / 1. Recognize the potential of natural energies for minimizing a home’s dependence on imported energy.
2. Describe alternate methods of using solar energy for space heat.
3. Use light from the sun to augment electric lighting.
4. Apply the potential of a specific climate region in the design process.
6 Foundations / 1. Differentiate the four categories of foundations.
2. List the parameters that influence the proper choice of foundation type.
3. Describe the suitability of common materials used in residential foundations.
7 Floors / 1. Discuss the pros and cons of framing systems used in residential construction.
2. List the criteria for selecting a framed floor over a slab-on-grade floor.
3. Describe the trade-offs of using engineered lumber over sawn lumber for floor framing.
4. Discuss some common problems encountered in remodeling floors and their solutions.
5. Differentiate the ways to insulate floors.
8 Exterior Walls / 1. Differentiate between the various wall-framing systems used in residential construction.
2. Describe the non-framed wall systems and where they are most suitable.
3. Discuss some of the issues encountered in insulating new and remodeled walls.
4. List some of the common exterior wall finishes and their pros and cons.
9 Doors and Windows / 1. Recognize the criteria that identify each door and window type.
2. Identify the characteristics of each door and window style.
3. Specify the appropriate type of door hardware function.
4. Describe the energy implications of various types of glazing.
10 Roofs / 1. Use the features of a roof form to match it to the requirements of the application.
2. Describe the structural systems for framing various types of roofs in connection with the needs of the space below.
3. Discuss the problems and solutions of controlling the transfer of heat and moisture through roofs.
4. List the pros and cons of various roofing materials used in residences.
11 Interior Walls and Ceilings / 1. Discuss how an interior wall can be designed to meet the needs imposed on it.
2. Recognize the areas requiring special framing and the means of achieving it.
3. Identify the problems and solutions that may be encountered in remodeling walls and ceilings.
12 Interior Surfaces / 1. Match typical wall and ceiling substrates to their appropriate applications.
2. Discuss the pros and cons of floor finishes used in kitchens and baths.
3. Select wall and ceiling finishes to suit their intended use.
4. Recognize the available types of trim for making transitions between finishes.
13 Heating systems / 1. Discuss the environmental conditions necessary for comfort.
2. Compare the pros and cons of common fuels used for home heating.
3. Differentiate between forced-air and hydronic heating systems.
4. Identify heating systems most appropriate to kitchens and baths.
14 Cooling Systems / 1. Recognize the continuum of cooling strategies, from the simplest and least costly to the environment to the most complex and costliest.
2. List ways a house can be designed to maximize cooling load avoidance.
3. Identify the potential and limits of passive cooling strategies.
4. Select cooling systems most appropriate to climate conditions.
15 Maintaining Healthy Indoor Air / 1. Identify the health-impairing gases that can be trapped inside a tightly sealed home.
2. Discuss the need for some and risks of too much moisture in the interior.
3. Describe the requirements of effective point source ventilation systems.
4. Compare whole-house ventilation systems.
16 Household Water Supply / 1. Recognize the infrastructure required to get water from the source to the point of use.
2. Describe the problems and remedies for problems that may be encountered in culinary water.
3. Compare water heating methods.