For the November 2026 monthly meeting the Air Barrier Association of America and the Portland BEC will be collaborating on a partial-day, in-person only symposium. The event will be at the EcoTrust Building in our usual space. 4 AIA HSW continuing education credits will be provided by the ABAA. This event will include lunch and some afternoon snacks. Attendance is limited and there will be a $25 registration fee.

10:00 - 10:30 PM - Registration & Welcome

10:30 - 11:30 AM - Presentation
Laverne Dalgliesh
Groundhog Day: Recurring Field Installation Issues with Air Barriers
Everyone knows that air barriers are important, they know what they do and that they need to be installed correctly. We have heard it for 20 years and no longer need a presentation to remind us of that. With that being said, how do we give them a chance of success?

One of the most common risk management strategies used is a robust quality assurance program in the specifications that requires certified contractors, trained and certified installers, evaluated materials and on-site third-party audits. This presentation will discuss the role of the quality assurance audits, and point out what to look for when doing site observation and quality control. It will also provide real life examples that can help you identify installation issues on your project, what caused them, and what corrective action can be taken. 1.0 LU/HSW

11:30 - 11:45 AM - Break

11:45 - 12:45 PM - Presentation
Denali Jones
Looking Beyond Code Language: Practical Limitations of Air Tightness Testing
There have been air barrier requirements in IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 for almost 20 years, but until recently field testing of the installed air barrier has only been an option and not a requirement throughout most of the United States, although there are several jurisdictions that have required testing for many years. Both IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 now require some type of testing for many buildings, but there is some flexibility in what testing should be done and little guidance on what type of test is appropriate. These options include different test standards such as ASTM E779, ASTM E1827, or ASTM E3158. Within these test standards there are different procedural options relating to data collection and building preparation, and different limits on weather conditions. There are also options within the codes that allow for testing the entire building, representative portions of the building, or a sampling of dwelling units for Group R or I occupancy types. This ambiguity sparks questions among specifiers, contractors, owners, and testing agencies. Are all of the ASTM test standards listed in the codes for whole building testing interchangeable? Should buildings be tested under pressurization or depressurization? Or both? Should intentional openings be sealed or not? Should office buildings be tested differently than multifamily buildings of similar size? Should high rise buildings be tested as a whole building or floor by floor?

These questions are not addressed in code language, leading to inexperienced testers using test methods that are not appropriate for their specific scenario. The various testing options listed in the current versions of IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 will be explained in detail, diving into the specifics of each test method and why it may or may not be suited to certain building types. While some test methods may be possible in certain building types, there are practical limitations which make these methods exceedingly difficult and expensive to produce meaningful results. The differences between the code-referenced ASTM whole building test standards will be explained in practical terms, showing the limitations of each standard and what scenarios might require alternate methods. 1.0 LU/HSW

12:45 - 1:45 PM - Lunch

1:45 - 2:45 PM - Presentation
Scott Wood
Optimizing Performance with a Continuous Air Barrier
Modern high performance buildings demand more than independent envelope components. They require a coordinated air control strategy that begins with the details to the final building air leak testing. This course examines the role of continuous air barriers in improving energy efficiency, durability, and occupant comfort in commercial construction. Participants will explore how air leakage increases condensation risk, reduces thermal efficiency and impacts long-term building performance.   This course will review best practices for detailing critical transitions such as roof-to-wall and wall to below-grade connections, where discontinuities often lead to failures. Special attention will be given to vapor permeable air barrier systems and their ability to maintain airtightness while supporting drying potential within the assemblies. 

Through discussion of real-world projects across mission-critical facilities, large-format industrial buildings, multi-family housing, and commercial construction, attendees will learn how integrated, permeable enclosure strategies support long-term resilience, effective moisture management, and reduce building failure risk. 1.0 LU/HSW

2:45 - 3:00 PM - Break

3:00 - 4:00 PM - Presentation
Laverne Dalgleish
It’s Not Raining – Where is the Water Coming From?
Roof leaks and even water in wall assemblies is not good for the building. The first reaction is let’s fix the leak, but then you realize that it is not raining. If there is no rain, you should not get bulk water entry. We overlook the real reason for water in building assemblies because we do not consider all means of moisture transport. Many people then jump to the conclusion that the material used as a water restive barrier does not have a high enough Perm rating. This presentation will cover all the ways that moisture moves in a building, show why you should not rely on the Perm rating of a single material, and show you where you will get thousands of gallons of water into the building envelope. 1.0 LU/HSW

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Networking & Event Conclusion

This presentation will cover all things steel tolerances. Understanding how straight a beam should be to how much lean a column can have is essential to producing a good design that avoids field fixes and compromise in the architectural design. The presentation will cover the AISC 303 “Code of standard practice for steel buildings” which is the document that the steel specifications reference for allowable fabrication and installation tolerances of steel members. Understanding this document is essential to being able to produce a design with the appropriate amount of tolerance so there are not clashes between the steel elements and architectural finishes. The presentation will also cover how steel tolerances can impact the ability to have flat floors and how to best set up the design documents to get the best product for the owner.

Seth Thomas, P.E., S.E., works at KPFF Consulting Engineers and is a licensed structural engineer. Seth has been involved in the code development process his entire career and currently is a voting member of the tsunami, flood, seismic and main committees for the ASCE 7-28 while serving as the Vice Chair of the seismic subcommittee. Seth has been involved in multiple performance based seismic design projects including OSU Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building, the Portland International Airport PDXNext Project, Multnomah County Central Courthouse (MCCCH), and the VA Portland Hospital Seismic Retrofit.

1 AIA LU/HSW

Join RAINA at their 2026 conference held in Portland. Offering 5 HSW credits over 5 presentations featuring multiple Portland BEC members.

Presentation 1 Tyler Smith, BEE Engineers
Why Building Owners Don’t Buy Rainscreens: The Human Side of Resilient Construction

Presentation 2 Emma Mahoney & Jeffrey Kerr, SGH
Finding Closure: Integrating Architectural Cavity Closures into the Rainscreen Assembly for Durable Design

Presentation 3 David Young, RDH Building Science Inc
Rainscreen Reality Check: Designing for Movement, Resilience, and Real-World Performance

Presentation 4 Corey Zussman, AECOM Hunt
Rainscreen backup wall design considerations and lessons learned for better coordination between trades

Presentation 5 Jake LaManna, Walsh Construction Company, Brian Nelson, Knight Wall Systems, Geoff Duck, Cascadia and moderated by Paul Grahovac
Look Before You Leap: An Inside View of Rainscreen Retrofits

From solar and optical properties to thermal performance, from structural and safety to acoustic performance, glass selection is one of the most important decisions you will make for a façade. But with a large variety of coatings, substrates, glass treatment options, cavity fills, and spacer options to choose from, where do you begin? And how do you protect your design intent through tender and procurement? Felix Weber, Principal and Glass and Façade Specialist, will guide the audience through a roadmap for glazing selection and procurement using different case studies and decision tools.

Felix advances complex façade and glass design at RDH out of the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a highly creative engineer and experienced team leader with over 15 years of experience in façade consulting and structural engineering. Trained as both a structural engineer and an architect, Felix has a passion for solving complex challenges, engaging with innovative technologies, and conducting research and development. He is comfortable working on all stages of a project, from conceptual design to detailed design and engineering through to realization. He has also worked on the development and testing of new products for the building industry and is an experienced lecturer.

Felix enjoys designing structures and façades influenced by individual materials or products. He has worked with many cladding types and specializes in structural façades, structural glass, complex geometry structures, and uncommon building materials such as ETFE and fiber-reinforced polymers.

Prior to joining RDH in 2021, Felix led the San Francisco façade group at Arup and worked on a broad variety of projects in the Bay Area and London. He served as team leader on many award-winning projects with renowned architects and contributed to more than 250 international projects.

1 AIA LU/HSW

General Information

The Portland Building Enclosure Council is pleased to announce the 2026 Symposium. This year’s Symposium will focus on building enclosure innovation.

The symposium is a full day event, comprised of presentations, speakers, and opportunities for sidebar conversations.

• Meet with local representatives of leading building product manufacturers
• This all day event includes continental breakfast and seated buffet lunch.
• Anticipated 6 AIA /CEU - LU/HSW

Brochure

Schedule

Registration Information

Registration will close Friday, May 29

• Members: $100
• Non-Members: $125

Speakers & Sessions

Session order subject to change

Josh Stein & Will Babbington
Session 1 - Portland Art Museum Facade
1 AIA LU/HSW

This course will focus on the development of the custom glass rainscreen design for the project's south addition. A design assist procurement process was used that focused heavily on collaboration, design and construction team expertise, and iterative mock-up development to arrive at the final design. This process, the design of the rainscreen components, and the many lessons learned will be discussed.

Julian Safford
Session 2 - Modern High Performance Curtain Wall Design
1 AIA LU/HSW

As architecture evolves due to global, societal, and sustainability factors, the technologies within this field are evolving with it. The purpose of this course is to convey how advancements in curtain wall systems are responding to modern-day architectural requirements such as increased thermal performance, structural spanning capabilities, and stronger embodied carbon standards. It is important for designers to understand new advancements in the industry in order to make more informed decisions for an overall higher performing building skin.

Christian Schoewe, Christopher Pitt, Steven McBride, & Tom Wharton
Session 3 - PDX Main Terminal Skylights Panel Discussion
1 AIA LU/HSW

This course presents a detailed case study of the skylight system developed for the Portland International Airport (PDX) Terminal Redevelopment Project. Participants will learn how architectural daylighting goals were integrated with rigorous water-management detailing to improve occupant comfort and maintenance worker safety while reducing long-term maintenance and operational costs for the Port of Portland.

The panel discussion and presentation explore the interdisciplinary collaboration required to design and engineer a skylight system that achieved Oregon OSHA certification as a compliant hole cover—the first known application of glass as hole cover—an uncommon designation for architectural glazing not designed as an occupied floor. Attendees will learn how structural performance criteria, glass selection, and assembly design informed the first application of this skylight glass system with OSHA approval in an airport environment.

The course also reviews the development of a project-specific testing methodology that validated safety assumptions and demonstrated compliance with performance-based regulatory requirements. Emphasis is placed on decision-making processes that improve building safety, durability, resilience, and lifecycle performance and the challenges and opportunities associated with first-of-their-kind glazing applications.

Chris O'Hara & Will Babbington
Session 4 - Populus Hotel
1 AIA LU/HSW

The course is a case study of the enclosure of the Populus hotel which features a high-performance panelized weather wall including performance layers and glazing clad with a large format GFRC panels designed in a biophilic manner to emulate a grove of Aspen trees. The course will cover the process of the system selections, modular detailing, fabrication and erection methods, thermal break technology and performance of the system. The course will discuss how these techniques can be used on similar projects seeking a high-performance modular envelope and complex form GFRC cladding systems.

J-F Robert
Session 5 - Balancing Design and Performance: Lessons from Complex Façade Enclosures
1 AIA LU/HSW

This presentation will examine façade design through a series of case studies drawn from projects in the Pacific Northwest, where wet, cool, and seismically active conditions create a uniquely demanding design environment. The session will explore how ambitious architectural expression and structural performance requirements informed enclosure strategies, material selection, and delivery planning across a range of complex façade systems.

The discussion will focus on the strategic use of steel, timber, and aluminum systems; glass selection decisions involving coatings, heat treatment, and laminated assemblies; and the importance of clearly defining divisions of scope and coordination responsibilities across the project team. Particular emphasis will be placed on the value of early-stage planning in aligning design intent, constructability, and technical performance. Attendees will gain practical insight into lessons learned, common coordination challenges, and key considerations for delivering high-performance façades in demanding project conditions.

Blair Payson
Session 6 - New Heights: Transforming an Icon - The Renovation of Seattle's Space Needle
1 AIA LU/HSW

In 2019, the renovation of the Space Needle’s upper levels was completed. Learn how the building’s visitor experience was completely transformed without dramatically altering its iconic profile in a presentation by the architectural and engineering team. From the building’s original 1960’s era inspiration in technical dancing to the incorporation of the world’s first revolving glass floor to supporting a construction project 500’ in the air, the Space Needle story is one of the richest creative, historical and technological architectural stories of its time. The renovation is continuing with the current phase replacement of the elevators.

Sponsors

Symposium Sponsor

• Soprema

Meal Sponsors

• Carlisle Syntec
• International Masonry Institute

Bag Sponsor

• RWDI

Exhibitors

• AVM
• James Hardie
• Siplast
• Henry
• 3M
• Hydrotech/Emseal
• Protecto Wrap
• GCP
• Sika Roofing
• Exterior Product Solutions
• Prosoco
• Rocky Mountain Reps NW
• Window Tech
• 13 Elements
• Cascadia Windows
• Neogard
• Elemex
• GAF
• Tuff Industries
• Summit Windows & Doors
• DeaMor
• Dow

Join us to examine the movement characteristics of different masonry materials. Learn how to accommodate or restrain this movement with control, isolation, or expansion joints. We’ll provide common placement of these joints to prevent buildings from cracking and explore options to make movement joints more aesthetically pleasing.

Cole is an architectural designer with a demonstrated history of working in the architecture and planning industry.

Before joining IMI, he worked for a variety of architecture firms in Oregon and Washington. In addition to project design and construction administration, he has served in project management and BIM leadership roles.

1 AIA LU/HSW

Maximizing Envelope Performance with IMP-Integrated Components explores an advanced insulated metal composite panel building envelope system, components that have been engineered to integrate with the system – including windows, sunshades, accent fins and louvers – and how the IMP system and integrated components combine to create a high-performance building envelope.

Michael Naughton was previously a Senior Territory Sales Manager for Associated Materials, a window and siding manufacturer. In addition, Michael has over twenty years of experience in residential and commercial construction serving in leadership roles for distribution and manufacturing organizations.

Michael's primary focus is assisting architects, engineers, owners and design build general contractors with specification, application, and design for Centria in the Pacific Northwest.

1 AIA LU/HSW

As the saying goes, when nature is at its worst, buildings need to be at their best. Roofs at their base level are designed to keep weather out. As weather gets more extreme, roofs are being asked to withstand even more to do just that. During this webinar, you will learn about the new wind requirements in ASCE 2022, best practices for designing for very severe hail, and ways to manage water from large rain events.

Kristina Sigmund is the Specified Solutions Advisor for GAF | Siplast in the West Region of the US, bringing eighteen years of experience in the engineering consulting and construction industries to the team. Kristina is a licensed Professional Engineer in California, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Boston College and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. With a background in building enclosure consulting, construction management, and owner’s representation, Kristina combines strong technical building enclosure experience with the ability to collaborate with designers, consultants, contractors, and building owners.

1 AIA LU/HSW

The mass timber Founders Hall project at the University of Washington stands as an exemplary model for air barrier performance in design and construction. This presentation will delve into the innovative strategies and collaborative approach that led to the project's exceptional success, with a focus on how attendees can apply these lessons to their own projects.

Michael is a licensed Architect who joined Hoffman Construction in 2007 after practicing for 9 years in Seattle and the surrounding area. In his years of practice, he developed the firm’s Quality Plan and executed internal Quality Reviews as a Project Architect, Project Manager, and Partner.

At Hoffman, he began working on project sites, coordinating subcontractors and installations, learning the ways the details he had drawn as an architect were actually being installed. Since 2019, he has been helping devise and implement a company-wide quality system that focuses on planning as the strategy to ensure materials are installed correctly the first time. He leads preconstruction drawing and specifications reviews to ensure complete, coordinated, and constructable documents are issued for construction. As the project transitions to construction, he collaborates with project site teams to identify and mitigate risks, provides technical guidance to help provide solutions to complex details, and communicates quality goals as construction progresses.

Michael has experience in many building types, high rise towers to below grade transit stations, and with GCCM and Design Build project delivery methods, as both an architect and contractor. A proud building science and sustainability geek, he completed the design and build of his own net-zero house in 2021.

1 AIA LU/HSW

Join Mike Poirier, Vice-President of QED Lab for a presentation on air leakage and water penetration testing of window systems in the field. This presentation focuses on testing at the Portland Airport terminal expansion project and covers everything from specifications, to test planning, site logistics, and actual testing. The PDX airport project is known for its unique complexities and impressive appearance and highlights the need for proper test planning.

Mike has over 20 years in the construction consulting and testing industry with emphasis on enclosure performance, specifically air and water leakage. As VP of an AAMA certified test lab, certified blower door technician, and certified thermographer, testing & diagnosing building enclosures have become second nature. The "science nerd" of QED's office is pleased to present at the Portland Building Enclosure Council.