Whole-building commissioning is a process of quality assurance in building construction. It is a systematic process of ensuring, through documented verification, that building systems are installed and perform according to the documented design and the owner's operational needs. The process starts at the project Design Development stage and continues through staff training, pre-warranty inspection and completion of the wrap-up Commissioning Manual.
This presentation has been requested and scheduled for the AIA National Convention June 11, 2010. As an early viewing of the same presentation, we will briefly review the latest version of The Living Building Challenge 2.0, while discussing envelope opportunities within this progressive framework. The Living Building Challenge is a measure of sustainability far more progressive than LEED Platinum or Triple Net Zero alone. This system does not contain points, rather 20 simple but profound imperatives that is performance based, not prescriptive.
A three day event, comprising three tracks (Energy Efficiency/Whole Building/Fenestration) that will provide a focus on specific aspects of performance of building systems with a view to high energy efficiency, good indoor climate and long-term performance. The conference will bring together leading research from Europe, Canada and the United States focusing on existing and future buildings. The academic research will be complimented with "real world" applications and case studies. The program will include panel discussions, featured workshops and plenary speakers.
Many of the 60 million housing units in the United States built before 1960 will soon need major systems replaced. A new web seminar from the National Institute of Building Sciences Building Enclosure Council and the American Institute of Architects offers timely techniques for residential energy retrofit work, particularly applicable for older building stock.
The call for higher energy performance buildings is being heard loud and clear. A new state wide code is being released this summer with changes that affect envelope construction and design by changing critical energy performance criteria. In preparation for the July 1 adoption of the 2010 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC), based on the IECC, Portland BEC will host a presentation that highlights what changes have and haven’t taken place in this code cycle.
This Month’s Meeting: “Measurement of Green Roof Performance”
For the opening presentation of the 2010-2011 Portland BEC season, we thought it appropriate to begin with some building science basics. Mr. Ariel Levy, P.E., of RDH Building Sciences, Inc., will take a somewhat off-directional and (possibly) entertaining twist to this topic. He will present some different perspectives on the classical heat, air, and moisture control functions, including some side commentary on current building code and general industry practice that may not be all that consistent with general building science principles.
The October meeting will continue the theme of Building Science Basics with a look at below grade waterproofing systems, strategies, and details.
Austin Sloat, AIA is a board member of the Portland BEC and is a principal at Neumann Sloat Architects LLP, a firm specializing in building envelope consulting and remedial design.
Practical Tips & Traps for Better Building Enclosures Presented by Lew Harriman Thursday October 28, 2010 12-1PM PST A joint effort of the American Institute of Architects and the Building Enclosure Council