Past Meetings

The fluorocarbon-based polymer ethylene tetrafuoroethylene (ETFE) is quickly gaining popularity in North America and is being used on some of the continent’s most prominent projects. Through review of multiple case studies of current ETFE installations, Morrison Hershfeld will review lessons learned and provide an understanding of limitations as well as benefits of the material from a building science perspective.

Stéphane joined Morrison Hershfield in 1994 and currently holds the position of Senior Building Science Specialist. With Master’s studies in historic restoration that combines structural engineering, building science and architecture, Stéphane brings a well-balanced consulting approach to the conservation of the building envelope; blending scientific analysis with an understanding of aesthetics considerations. He has consulted on several historic restoration projects. He is particularly adept at providing innovative design concepts and construction alternatives that provide value by improving durability and increasing energy efficiency.

As a key technical leader, Stéphane has worked on projects throughout North America and led the expansion of Morrison Hershfield’s Building Science practice in the United States. He now leads their Façade Engineering Group focusing on conceptual design of cladding and glazing systems. As a senior member of the team, his knowledge and skills are leveraged throughout the firm. The breath of his knowledge and experience is often called upon to troubleshoot and help resolve issues on both new and existing buildings.

This presentation will examine recent window and curtain wall assembly failures and performance issues for Insulated Glazing Units (IGU), aluminum coatings, gaskets, and associated water and air leakage issues. With the advent of globalization in the construction industry, façade glazing systems are beginning to experience new types of failure in the components (seals, coatings, sealants, etc.) used to assemble the complex systems and result in performance issues of today’s high rise projects. Various components and systems will be examined regarding their potential for air and water intrusion, coating issues, glass breakage and/or IGU failure.

Karim P. Allana is the CEO and Senior Principal of Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABBAE) a leading Architectural-Engineering firms specializing in the Building Envelope and Sustainable Construction for new and rehabilitation projects. Karim earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University and is a licensed professional engineer in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Washington. He is a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) and Registered Waterproofing Consultant (RWC) through RCI, Inc.

Mr. Allana has been in the A/E and construction fields for 30+ years, specializing in forensic analysis and sustainable construction of roofing, waterproofing and the building envelope. At ABBAE, Mr. Allana has for 31 years provided technical leadership and design review, while directing the company. Mr. Allana has acted as a consultant and expert witness in 400+ construction defect projects, as lead plaintiff or defense expert, or in defense of sub-contractors and manufacturers. He is a frequent speaker and presenter at professional forums.

This course will discuss the different types of roofing membranes and systems available for low slope/commercial installations and the benefits each brings to the building envelope. Over the past 25 years, there have been many changes in not just the materials available but also the installation methods used to install roofing systems. In addition to the materials, installation methods will be discussed as well as a practical discussion of how to evaluate which option may be better than others for several different scenarios.

Helene is Vice President of Technical Services, Codes, and Industry Relations for GAF. Helene has spent over 37 years in the roofing industry and has been very active in many of the industry’s organizations. She received the ASTM Award of Merit and title of Fellow from ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing, Waterproofing and Bituminous Materials in 1998, the James Q. McCawley award from the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association in 1999 for contributions to the roofing industry, and the title of Fellow of the Institute from the Roof Consultants Institute in 2005.

Helene serves as the current Chair for the PIMA Board of Directors and is a director for SPRI, RCMA, and the RCI Foundation. Helene is also Vice Chair of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing.

The number of passive houses and buildings meeting the stringent PHIUS+2015 Passive Building Standards has increased exponentially over the past two years: first single family residential projects were built, then multifamily projects and now the trend is moving towards commercial structures. Many municipalities such as NYC have already incentives in place for residential passive buildings or are evaluating to implement incentives as a solution to meeting their climate action plans. This presentation takes a look at three completed case studies of low and midrise multifamily projects across the country that were constructed at 0-5% additional cost over an EnergyStar baseline. Successful construction techniques and lessons learned will be discussed.

Katrin Klingenberg is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). In 2003, Ms. Klingenberg designed and completed the first home to meet passive house standards in the United States. She has designed and consulted on numerous successful passive house and building projects across North America’s varied climate zones since. In addition to her executive role at PHIUS she is the lead instructor for PHIUS Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC®) training. In that role she directs curriculum development. She also directs the technical and research programs of PHIUS, and is a licensed architect in Germany. She frequently presents on the passive building topic nationally and internationally.

The session is a Case Study driven review of façade details for transparent systems. Where many education provide a review of the basic stock details the critical design issues often occur at the atypical conditions. The basic "rules of thumb" do not apply when the geometry or material choice require more from the design. This session will review the atypical conditions that do not occur in the idealized conditions. The course is crucial to those designing the enclosure of buildings that do not fit the mold of a common box. The case studies will include both transparent and opaque façade systems. Most importantly the discussion will include the junction of the transparent and opaque assemblies, where most facade failures occur. Important topics will include continuous insulation, mitigation of thermal bridges, condensation, waterproofing and structure.

Studio NYL, a Boulder, Colorado-based structural engineering and facade design firm known for its exemplary skills, has earned the trust and respect of architects around the world for delivering truly innovative design-led solutions that exceed the conventional.

Founded in 2004 by Chris O'Hara, PE and Julian Lineham, PE, Studio NYL's vision is rooted in the founders' belief that all architectural design can be elevated through the inventive use of structures that enhance rather than limit design. It is this passion for raising design standards through the "artful use of structure" on every project—whether humble or grandiose in scope—that drives their distinctively poetic approach.

Chris launched his career in New York City where he worked on many unique structural engineering projects as well as signature architectural buildings. From theatrical rigging and amusement park rides, to floating structures, huge facades and challenging structural glazing projects, Chris' training is rooted in one-of-a-kind initiatives like the Rose Center for Earth and Space, the Rolling Stones 'Bridges to Babylon Tour' and the Starlight Theatre.

Over the last few years, Studio NYL has grown rapidly from a firm focused primarily on smaller scale Front Range residential and institutional projects, to being known more broadly for its higher education, law enforcement, arts and other sector work throughout the Western Mountain Region. Today, in addition to its extensive portfolio of conventional building types of all sizes and complexity, Studio NYL is overseeing an expanding number of ground breaking global projects which allows the principals to explore new structural and architectural technologies, skin applications, environmental solutions and more. Chris and Julian also continue to seek out opportunities to reinvent existing traditional systems on landmark buildings around the world.

1 LU/HSW

Air Barriers are an extremely important component of a high-performance building enclosure system. For the most part, these systems are non-maintainable components and repairs can typically only be made with the removal of the exterior cladding system. To ensure a performing system, proper design, detailing and ultimately the proper installation of these systems is extremely important. You have one chance to get it right. Come learn about important design considerations, how to properly detail critical interfaces, key items to include in your specifications and the proper installation techniques, quality control and testing parameters for a variety of air barrier systems in use today.

Todd Parrott has been involved in the construction and building materials industry for more than 20 years. Mr. Parrott has been an architectural consultant and conducted years of education to the architectural community. He has spent the last two decades in the fenestration industry in roles such as window contracting owner, territory manager, architectural representative and sales in both the commercial and residential markets. Todd brings with him a depth of technical aptitude and knowledge in construction materials, 3rd party testing of building enclosures and AAMA installation methods. Todd is currently the sales and marketing manager for the Air Barrier Association of America or BPC. Todd spends considerable time consulting and educating the architectural community nationally on ABAA’s Quality Assurance Program specification (QAP). He also conducts many air barrier symposiums and lunch and learn education events annually for ABAA providing valuable air barrier education to design building teams across the US.

The tragic fire in London, UK, raises issues with respect to claddings and continuous insulation in high performance buildings as well as retrofits. The first part of this session addresses the physics of the fire in London and why such an occurrence is unlikely in the United States and Canada.

Billions of dollars worth of hard coat stucco litigation have been filed within the last 12 months. What is driving the stucco failures? The patterns are eerily reminiscent of the failures of EIFS claddings in the 1990’s. The second part of this session addresses the changes in materials and construction practice leading to the failures.

JOSEPH LSTIBUREK, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is a principal of Building Science Corporation. He is a forensic engineer who investigates building failures and is internationally recognized as an authority on moisture-related building problems and indoor air quality. He is an ASHRAE Fellow, a member of ASTM and past chairman of ASTM E241 - Increasing the Durability of Building Assemblies from Moisture Induced Damage. Dr. Lstiburek received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Doctorate in Building Science at the University of Toronto. Dr. Lstiburek has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 1982.

2 LU/HSW