The future of high-performing buildings is in the hands of evolving codes and standards. Join us for this presentation where we'll explore key aspects of high-performance building enclosures that meet the latest energy standards where thermal bridging mitigation is required. This presentation will provide valuable insights into evolving energy standards and strategies to prepare for future changes in building envelope requirements. Participants will learn best practices for reducing thermal bridging and optimizing building envelope designs. We’ll also identify innovative techniques for designing sustainable and durable facades, including materials and methods to improve the longevity and environmental performance of building exteriors. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay at the forefront of building design and envelope performance!

Edlyn is a Senior Façade Consultant at Stantec, bringing over 18 years of experience in building science with a strong foundation in architecture and a master’s degree in bioclimatic design. Since joining the firm in 2019, she has applied a multidisciplinary and environmentally responsive approach to façade systems, integrating advanced analytics and sustainable design principles. Her project portfolio spans a wide range of building types and complexities, from early-stage material research to comprehensive façade design and performance optimization. Her technical expertise includes thermal and daylighting analysis, shading optimization, dynamic condensation risk assessment, and envelope code compliance. In addition to her consulting work, Edlyn is an active educator, teaching courses on sustainability, façade performance, and building energy efficiency.

1 AIA LU/HSW

For the November 2025 monthly meeting the Air Barrier Association of America and the Portland BEC will be collaborating on a half-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.

11:00 - 12:00 PM - Lunch and Networking

12:00 - 1:00 PM - Presentation
Brian Stroik, FABAA, CABS, CRIS, Performance Excellence & Quality Consultant, American Contractors Insurance Group
Trust but Verify: Quality Control for Your Air Barriers
Modern construction is more complex, with layered systems, tight schedules, and higher expectations. This session outlines how quality assurance programs and trade-specific quality control—starting before installation and continuing through completion—help ensure durable, high-performing air barriers. 1.0 LU/HSW

1:00 - 2:00 PM - Presentation
Andrew Dunlap, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Senior Principal, Building Technology Studio Leader, SmithGroup
Locating That Elusive Point of Condensation: A Review of Hygrothermal Evaluation Fundamentals.
This presentation will review the various types of Hygrothermal modeling tools available to assist designers in developing a building’s exterior enclosure. Variables such as the interior and exterior climate (temperature/humidity), material permeance, wall assembly types, and transitions between adjacent construction will be explored. Understanding the impact of the decision to use various modeling techniques such as 1D/2D/3D and transient versus static modeling will be discussed. 1.0 LU/HSW

2:00 - 2:15 PM - Break

2:15 - 3:15 PM - Presentation
Brian Stroik, FABAA, CABS, CRIS, Performance Excellence & Quality Consultant, American Contractors Insurance Group
A Sticky Subject - Adhesion of Air and Water Resistive Barrier Materials
Adhesion is critical for barriers to resist wind, stack effect, and pressurization. This session reviews 15 years of field research on adhesion performance across materials and substrates, comparing real-world results with lab testing. Attendees will learn how this data informs specifications and quality control on job sites. 1.0 LU/HSW

3:15 - 4:15 PM - Presentation
Andrew Dunlap, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Senior Principal, Building Technology Studio Leader, SmithGroup
Failure is Not an Option: Air Barrier Continuity Strategies for Storefront and Curtain Wall Systems
Critical details that typically cause building performance-related issues will be focused on one of the largest failures of building enclosures: wall-to-window connections specific to curtain wall systems and storefronts. A step-by-step look at each critical detail regarding the sequence of construction and the various connections to ensure airtight/watertight and thermally protected details. Real-life photos and job conditions will highlight the realities of the construction process to show typical errors found and how those errors can be addressed correctly. 1.0 LU/HSW

4:15 - 5:00 PM - Networking

Sponsors

Exterior Product Solutions
3M
Prosoco
Protecto Wrap

For our October 7, 2025 Portland BEC meeting, we have arranged an opportunity to tour the ongoing construction of the PSU Gateway Center project located at 1914 SW Park Avenue. The Art & Design project also known as Gateway Center is set to redefine the campus landscape and elevate PSU's commitment to sustainability, wellness, and excellence in higher education. One of the project's standout features is its use of 4 stories of mass timber construction as opposed to the conventional use of concrete/steel. The total project is approximately 98,000 SF. This project will be PSU's first building constructed with this sustainable and resilient construction method, championing both environmental responsibility, occupant wellness, and connection to local community. The exterior enclosure that will be visible and discussed during the tour is composed of aluminum and glass curtain wall, fiberglass punched openings, ribbed metal panel and vegetated roofs over a modified bitumen roofing system.

As this is an active construction site, our tour will need to start at 3:30pm after most trades have left the site. The tour will be approximately 1-hour long starting with a brief intro to the project at the Swinerton site office at 1850 SW 6th Ave, then breaking into groups each visiting various locations throughout the building to view/discuss the variety of enclosure systems and detailing. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required to be worn during the tour. Street parking is available in the neighborhood. Additionally, the project is a block from the PSU South Station on the MAX Green/Yellow lines for those wishing to take light rail. More information regarding PPE requirements and parking will be distributed in the days before the tour.

Due to space and safety constraints, this tour is limited to 30 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. Please follow this link to register for the event.

This presentation is an overview of the environmental and economic benefits of a properly designed, installed, and maintained vegetated roof. We will review the generic components that comprise typical green roof systems, and we will address concerns in-depth including wind uplift considerations and how to treat drains to avoid flooding. We will also review local case studies ranging from thriving systems to outright failures, and how the design and maintenance of the systems affects the outcomes.

Liz Morris is the president of Green Up LLC, the firm she founded to work with architects, building owners, contractors and municipalities to develop and restore on-structure vegetation and amenity spaces. Liz has been working with green roofs across North America for nearly 15 years, with the majority of her project experience on commercial roofs in Portland, Washington and California. She is experienced in all phases of green roofing, from conceptual development and specification, through procurement and installation, as well as maintenance and restorations. She has presented hundreds of continuing education sessions to architects, and has trained dozens of installers in green roofing. Liz is the co-founder and past president of the Green Roof info Think-tank (GRiT) and is the Green Roof Professional Education Chair on the Board of Directors of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC).

1 AIA LU/HSW