Typical industry standard recommendation for slate replacement is at a 20% or more failure threshold. There are no field or lab tests that currently predict the remaining lifespan of existing weathered slate. However, ASTM C406 Standard Specification for Roofing Slate establishes the “grade” of new roofing slate, associated with projected life expectancy. Peter Meijer Architect PC sent slate samples to several labs to conduct C120 Standard Test Methods of Flexure Testing of Slate, C121 Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate, and C217 Standard Test Method for Weather Resistance of Slate. These test results gave a gauge to the existing slate’s performance. A critical aspect of determining the life expectancy of archaic/older material is understanding the limitations associated with modern ASTM test methods. ASTM standards are not always accurate predictors of slate quality but are good sources of empirical data. Peter Meijer Architect PC used our experience and broadened our research into longevity by including testing means and methods from Europe and other countries with a longer history of slate testing. The standards in use on the market to certify slate are the British Standard Institute, BS EN 12326-1:2014, Slate and Stone for Discontinuous Roofing and External Cladding, and the United States ASTM C406.

Peter Meijer. principal, has over 30 years of professional experience with an emphasis on the preservation and assessment of older, existing, and historic buildings. As a professional architect with a background in scientific research, He has developed his career with a focus on the unique building sciences associated with existing and historic resources. He has become a well-regarded expert on the diverse issues affecting older buildings both regionally and nationally.

Hali Knight has 10 years of professional experience, primarily with a focus on restoration and building enclosure design for existing and historic structures. While at Peter Meijer Architect PC (PMA), she has led many projects that include assessments and repair recommendations for historic materials such as masonry, slate, and terra cotta. Many of PMA's projects use material testing and on-site evaluation as tools to direct building enclosure repair methodologies and priorities. In addition to restoration work, she has worked on several large-scale renovation projects that include seismic upgrades and tenant improvements.  

1 AIA LU/HSW

For our March 4, 2025 Portland BEC meeting, we are excited to extend an invitation to you for a guided tour of General Sheet Metal’s state-of-the-art sheet metal fabrication facility located at 16345 SE Evelyn St, Clackamas, OR 97015. This will be a great opportunity for you to explore their manufacturing processes, see their cutting-edge equipment, and understand how the various specified sheet metal fabrications are produced.

To take advantage of an active manufacturing facility and the see the fabrication process in action, we will be starting the tour at 1:30pm. The tour will be approximately 1-hour long. During the tour, you'll have the chance to ask questions and learn more about how they transform raw materials into high-quality sheet metal products for your projects.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required to be worn during the tour in the form of long pants, Closed toed shoes, Safety Glass (provided by GSM), and Ear Plugs (provided by GSM). Due to space and safety constraints, this tour is limited to 35 attendees. While we recognize that this tour will be in high demand, we would ask that corporate BEC members limit participation to two (2) attendees from your organization.

This presentation is a technical discussion about using field measurements to validate thermal assumptions for existing buildings and help make energy models more accurate. In deep energy retrofits, the thermal performance of existing building envelopes is often difficult to determine with a high level of accuracy. For older buildings, the records of existing assemblies are often incomplete or inaccurate. To obtain greater baseline performance accuracy for energy models, in-field measurement tools can be used to obtain data on the thermal performance of the existing assemblies. Using case studies, this presentation will summarize non-destructive methods utilizing a set of various field tools to measure the baseline U-factors for a range of existing buildings with various wall assemblies. The lessons-learned covers what can be achieved, the limitations of these approaches and tools, and ideas on improving the accuracy and precision of measurements. The key factors include the weather conditions, the interior conditions, thermal mass of the measured assemblies, and thermal profiles of the assemblies in question.

A highly-motivated building enclosure consultant with RWDI’s Philadelphia team, Shibei possesses experience in detail design development specific to high-performance buildings, construction documentation, energy code compliance, assembly performance analysis, and site observation. With a background in architecture design, she brings a fresh perspective to our clients along with effective modelling skills for a new generation of technology. Shibei has experience in a broad range of project types and across all project phases. Her analytical skills and knowledge of building science contribute to an understanding of building performance and help inform building designs

1 AIA LU/HSW

This course examines the restoration and transformation of two of the earliest buildings on the University of Oregon's campus, dating back to 1876. These structures, listed in the National Register, are undergoing a comprehensive renovation with multiple objectives. The initiatives are aimed to preserve their historical integrity, address deferred maintenance, modernize systems, enhance accessibility, and provide a new home for the math department.

The presentation will delve into the complexities encountered, particularly in maintaining the buildings' historic charm while ensuring a high-performing building envelope. The speakers will elaborate on the comprehensive approach undertaken, from evaluating existing conditions to implementing advanced enclosure design practices. We will showcase how these strategies harmoniously aligned with the pursuit of LEED Gold certification while safeguarding the unique character of the historic buildings.

Nick Byers incorporates sustainable design principles, comprehensive knowledge, technical proficiency, and strong graphic skills into his academic projects, finding cohesive and efficient ways to communicate design concepts between designers and contractors. As an Associate Design-Build Professional and past Chair of the DBIA Oregon Chapter, he demonstrates the best practices for building strong team relationships and collaboration. As a project architect, he explores design options and develops high-performance learning environments, drawing from his experience on higher education STEM projects focused on science labs and healthcare training facilities.

Leader of Hennebery Eddy’s Historic Resources Group, David Wark is widely recognized as one of the Northwest’s leading historic architects, bringing more than 40 years of experience preserving and restoring many of the region’s most significant buildings. He communicates the intent behind preservation criteria with clarity and engages effectively with community members, stakeholders, and agencies such as the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. When working on culturally significant buildings, his goal is to integrate change in a way that maintains historic integrity and character while supporting long-term use. David excels at creatively and sensitively incorporating repairs, updated systems, additions, and new uses. His inclusive, thoughtful approach consistently results in responsive, innovative, and award-winning solutions.

1 AIA LU/HSW