Event Description

Every building tells a story about how it will perform, how long it will last, and how comfortable it will be for the people who inhabit and use it. This multi-part learning experience will enable AEC professionals to see and understand the elements of that story that aren’t obvious. Through engaging, example-driven sessions led by local RDH Building Science specialists, you’ll explore the fundamentals of how heat, air, and moisture relate to the building enclosure and how those loads shape durability, efficiency, and comfort. Participants will develop the ability to identify enclosure performance drivers and challenges and learn to build from the lens of the local climate, code requirements, and construction realities of New England. Participants will also leave with an understanding of how design choices affect comfort, durability, and efficiency long after occupancy, allowing them to implement these principles into their projects.

Learning Objectives - 

Module 1: Introduction to Building Science
1. Explain the key principles of building science and justify its importance for professionals involved in building design, construction, and operation.
2. List the four primary building control layers according to their significance in building performance.
3. Describe examples of high-performance building enclosure assemblies and their suitability for local climate zones.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the current local codes and standards influencing the design of building enclosure systems.

Module 2: Moisture Management
1. Describe the major forms and sources of moisture that affect building performance.
2. Understand the concept of moisture balance and how to apply the moisture management principles of deflection, drainage (or storage), and drying.
3. Implement design strategies to reduce condensation risk in building assemblies.
4. List and distinguish strategies for rainwater control in building enclosures.
5. Appreciate the importance of architectural details and recognize common errors that increase rainwater risk.
6. Explain the importance of effective water management strategies in building enclosure assemblies.

Module 3: Airtightness and Air Barriers
1. Describe an air barrier and explain how it differs from vapor and water barriers in building enclosures.
2. Identify the essential characteristics of effective air barrier materials and how they contribute to airtightness.
3. Understand how to design and install effective air barrier systems, including where to locate the air barrier within the system.
4. Define local air leakage performance and testing requirements.

Module 4: Heat Transfer and Thermal Control
1. Explain how airtightness, thermal mass, and reduced thermal bridging can contribute to better thermal control.
2. Evaluate insulation options based on design requirements and material properties.
3. Identify common thermal bridges, such as steel studs, wood framing, slab edges, parapets, and cladding attachments, and assess their impact on overall thermal performance.
4. Apply calculation methods to quantify the effects of thermal bridging and optimize/enhance building enclosure performance.
5. Explain the function of continuous insulation and differentiate it from cavity-only insulation in terms of thermal performance, material selection, and code compliance.
6. Evaluate scenarios where continuous insulation is essential to mitigate thermal bridging, enhance energy efficiency, and meet local building codes without disrupting structural needs.

Module 5: Advanced Building Enclosure Design
1. Describe the effect of fenestrations and shading on building energy performance, occupant comfort, and visual performance.
2. Identify key energy performance metrics, types of fenestrations, and insulated glazing unit (IGU) components.
3. Recognize the climate-dependent role of fixed and operable shading on building energy performance.
4. Understand the principles behind local energy code requirements for fenestrations.