Mike Steffen of Walsh Construction Co. will present a number of case studies to illustrate the application of enclosure design principles on several recent projects. This presentation will build on the discussion of thermal barriers and other critical barriers covered at the November 2008 meeting. Construction types represented will include steel frame, concrete frame and wood frame buildings.

Mike Steffen, AIA, CSI is Vice President and General Manager of Walsh Construction Co./OR. Walsh is a Pacific Northwest general contractor specializing in all types of multi-unit housing, renovation, educational facilities, and resorts - with a commitment to being a leader in the construction of energy-efficient, healthy and durable buildings. Prior to joining Walsh in 1999, Mike spent 13 years working in the fields of architectural and urban design. His experience on both sides of the construction fence provide him with a useful and unique perspective on both design and construction issues. Mike is also an adjunct faculty member with the University of Oregon’s Department of Architecture in Portland where he teaches building enclosure theory and practice.

This presentation takes a look at the brief history of commissioning to help the BEC determine what course of action it could take to prepare its membership for achieving professional status as commissioners of the building enclosure. NIBS has charted a course in developing: NIBS Guideline 3-2006 Exterior Enclosure Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process that breaks new ground in a field driven by traditional commissioning methods. In this era of Integrated Design, placing a premium on public/private partnerships and Teams with a common goal makes sense as we move toward meeting the 2030 challenge and addressing climate change. The train has left the station but who is out there laying the track? ALL ABOARD!

This month, the Portland BEC continues our series of presentations regarding High Performance Buildings with a discussion of the inter-relationship of the building envelope and mechanical systems. Architects see the envelope as part of the Architecture, while mechanical engineers see the envelope as part of the mechanical system. They are both right.

Conrad Brown, Senior Associate at PAE Engineers will be presenting this month and will be discussing the relationship between the building envelope and the mechanical systems. Mr. Brown will be looking specifically at issues such as the impact of air-tightness on mechanical system design, how air leakage affects whole building energy performance and how to ensure indoor air quality in air-tight buildings. Specific strategies for providing make-up air within multi-unit residential buildings and the relative cost of such options will be discussed along with the impact compartmentalization has on mechanical system effectiveness and efficiency.

Mike Steffen of Walsh Construction Co. will discuss the thermal barrier as it applies to enclosure design and construction. Insulation approaches and materials will be reviewed and the problem of thermal bridging will be discussed. Several case studies will be presented to illustrate the application of thermal barrier design principles on recent projects.

High energy costs are placing increased emphasis on energy conservation within the built-environment driving the need for high performing building assemblies. Air barrier systems are critical to fulfilling these requirements and yet critical transitions often compromise their performance. This month's presentation will build on last month's discussion on air barriers and explore the importance of properly interfacing the air barrier at key building transitions as well as other building conditions where the continuity of the air barrier system may not be self evident.

Time permitting, considerations for retrofitting existing buildings to limit air leakage will also be addressed.

High energy costs are placing increased emphasis on energy conservation within the built-environment; hence there is an increasing need for high performing building assemblies. The building envelope, which separates the indoor controlled environment from the exterior natural environment, must adapt to fulfill these requirements. Are the available codes and standards adequate? This month's presentation will provide an overview of current codes and standards and will discuss the updates and changes that are being applied to design and construction practices. Specifically, Claude Louvouezo of Morrison Hershfield and Rob Kistler of The Facade Group will discuss current directions in building performance.

The May program will feature a panel discussion of the current City of Portland's requirements for veneer on metal studs. This typical construction of metal studs and sheathing, clad with metal panels or brick veneer, must document how the system will accommodate the buildings seismic movement without having material falling off the building. This seemingly simple requirement has significant architectural implications.

The panel will be comprised of: Jed Sampson - Section Manager of the City of Portland's Structural Engineering Group Amit Kumar - Structural Engineer with the Bureau of Development Services Dave Bugni - Structural Engineer and member of the Structural Advisory Board Steve Mortensen - Architect with YGH. The panel will be moderated by Rob Kistler

If you are planning to design a brick veneer building in the city of Portland, this meeting will provide direction on how to meet the current structural requirements during the process.

Dan Braun - Vice President, Regional Operations, Architectural Testing will be presenting information regarding Curtain Wall and facade Performance Mock-Up Testing and Field Testing. The presentation will discuss reasons for testing and cover specific methodology and information to help you better understand testing as a quality control tool.

Design criterion is a term that is often used when establishing how a new building should be designed and constructed based upon the use and function of the building. A similar process is practiced when considering individual components and assemblies that cover a building, including roof systems. This presentation is intended to offer information that should be considered vital when determining the selection of a roof system for new construction, as well as replacement of roof systems on existing buildings. Ten general categories will be presented which represent criteria that can impact decision making, including geography, code requirements, budget, aesthetics and established system performance.

Steven L. McBride, President of Professional Roof Consultants, Inc. will be presenting the topic of Key Considerations in Roof System Selection. Primary responsibilities, aside from corporate management, include investigation and design for roof, waterproofing and building envelope projects, organizing and implementing roof management programs, performing detailed investigations and evaluations and managing office standards.

Most cities develop in very similar ways, regardless of climate. Vegetation and soil are removed and covered with impervious surfaces in the form of rooftops and pavement. These surfaces then facilitate the undesirable effect of storm water runoff, which carries urban pollutants swiftly to receiving waters and infrastructure systems. The basic things we design, build and do in our cities are the cause of many health, economic and environmental concerns. These contribute to air quality degradation, urban heat island affects, human health impairment, energy consumption, water pollution and the loss of fauna, flora and aquatic life. Designing with and re-introducing natural elements such as soil, water and vegetation on rooftops, streets, sidewalks and parking lots is showing promise in Portland, Oregon. These design techniques are being tested on city streets and private development. Monitoring results show efficient management of precipitation and storm water runoff. Other attributes have been observed including and perhaps most important, public acceptance.

Tom Liptan is a registered Landscape Architect and Environmental Specialist for the City of Portland, OR, Bureau of Environmental Services, Sustainable Storm water Management Program. He has been the impetus behind the research and development of new urban design techniques, codes and policies in the city. The success and recognition of these approaches has spread internationally. Tom has lectured at conferences in Sweden, Denmark, England, New Zealand and many cities throughout North America. In 2004 the U.S. Embassy in Denmark sponsored his participation at the Union of Baltic Cities Environmental Workshops for cities preparing to enter the European Union. He has assisted numerous municipalities, developers, consultants, multi-state corporations and government agencies with acceptance of Eco-roofs and other Landscape Approaches used for storm water management and healthy city development. He has presented papers at several universities and symposiums including Harvard University, School of Design. His work has been recognized in various media and he has received numerous awards. He contributed to; Handbook of Water Sensitive Planning and Design, Robert France ed. (Lewis Publishers, 2002) and Green Roofs, Ecological Design and Construction, Earth Pledge, Siena Chrisman, ed. (Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2005).