Past Meetings

November 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Air Barrier Conference
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Andrew Dunlap
Craig Westmore
Ryan Dalgleish
Roy Schauffele
Description

5.00 HSW learning credits

Schedule

  • 8:00 – 8:30 Sign In & Welcome
  • 8:30 – 8:45 Introductions: ABAA
  • 8:45 – 10:00 “By Others”: The Elusive Subcontractor Responsible for Transitions Andrew Dunlap 1.25 HSW
  • 10:00 – 10:15 Break
  • 10:15 – 11:30 Through Wall Flashings Compatibility Sustainability & Performance Craig Wetmore 1.25 HSW
  • 11:30 – 12:15 Catered Lunch
  • 12:15 – 1:30 Air Barrier Specifications & Quality Assurance Ryan Dalgleish 1.25 HSW
  • 1:30 – 1:45 Break
  • 1:45 – 3:00 Oh no! What did I miss? How to properly specify an air barrier system Roy Schauffele 1.25 HSW

Presentation Overview

“By Others” The Elusive Subcontractor Responsible for Transitions Andrew Dunlap

This course will take you through a multitude of details with a review of assembly environmental separators that will show common enclosure assembly discontinuities and provide an education on common system transition methods.


Through-Wall Flashing Compatibility Sustainability and Performance Craig Wetmore

Understanding the performance characteristics, the recycled/recyclable content, ability to survive installation, and life cycle costs of the different through-wall flashing materials.


ABAA Quality Assurance Program & Field Quality Control Ryan Dalgleish

The QAP ties the manufacturer, the contractor and the installer together to ensure that the products are installed properly. It is based on ISO 9000 and ISO 12576‐2 standards. The presentation defines exactly what quality assurance is, how it is different than quality control, the impact of poor quality on a building system and a review of the key components of the quality assurance program for air barriers.


Oh no! What did I miss? How to properly specify an air barrier system Roy Schauffele

Design and Construction documents are one of the first steps towards achieving an effective layer of airtightness to manage moisture and air movement. The importance of a proper specification cannot be understated and a well-articulated document will ensure that the owner is provided with materials, performance and quality. The presentation will review some of the consideration and language that should be reviewed prior to developing a specification and will outline code requirements, performance requirements, what can be done for quality and ensuring material selection meets the intent of design and for crucial coordination with other components of the enclosure.


Cost

This event is free to Portland BEC Members. For non-members the cost is $50, which includes membership.


Registration

The registration form is here Attendance is limited to 70. All membership information will be verified and non-members will be invoiced.

October 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Multnomah County Central Courthouse
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Dave Young
Steve Vinci
SRG Partnership
Description

Multnomah County’s central courthouse was built between 1909 and 1914, when the county had only 250,000 residents and long before modern building code standards for the region’s risk of earthquakes were in place. The new Central Courthouse Project is a swiftly rising, 17-story-structure at Southwest First Avenue and Madison Street, and is slated for completion in the spring of 2020.

The beginning of the exterior envelope can be observed as the installation of the façade exterior window is ongoing. Leading up to the current stage of construction, the team engaged in numerous studies for cladding systems and curtain wall assemblies. During the design phase, 3D modeling was used not only to design and conceptualize the project but also to create prefabricated materials and choreograph different systems.

A free-standing mockup has been used extensively by the team to coordinate transition of the panels forming the moisture barrier with the fenestration systems and cladding.

The Architect, Exterior Envelope Consultant, and Building Envelope Commissioning Authority will present as a panel to offer insight into the design of the envelope and also methods used to verify installations in the field.

SRG Partnership
SRG Partnership, Inc., was founded in 1972 as the dream firm of three young and ambitious architects: Jon Schleuning, Dave Richen and Fred Gast. The three principals began their practice in the basement of the Portland Art Museum, adjacent to the outdoor sculpture court. Their first project was the John’s Landing Master Plan, establishing precedence for SRG’s planning expertise that continues to this day. Within several years, SRG added numerous K-12 public school projects to its portfolio. These projects served to establish a niche in the education market which has today grown to include more than 40 community colleges and public and private universities. In 2002 SRG teamed with Rick Zieve, Dennis Forsyth and Ralph Belton to start the Seattle office, which began with large-scale public projects such as Bellevue City Hall and the Washington State Capitol Building historic restoration. Today SRG is a regional practice with projects across the western United States and beyond.

Dave Young
Dave is a Senior Building Science Specialist and principle of RDH Building Science, working within its Portland office. He specializes in enclosure consulting for both new buildings and existing building investigation and rehabilitation projects. Dave has extensive practical experience with exterior wall, window, above-and below-grade waterproofing and roofing systems from conceptual design through the building enclosure commissioning process. Prior to his nearly 20 years practicing in this arena with RDH, Dave practiced for 10 years as a structural engineer in Ottawa, with the last 3 as manager of that firm’s Restoration, Investigation, and Retrofit Division.

Steve Vinci
Stevan Vinci joined Morrison Hershfield in 2002 and is a Building Science and Building Envelope Commissioning Specialist in the U.S. Building Consultation Group. He serves as the Building Envelope Commissioning Practice Lead for MH. Stevan has over 19 years of building science experience. His many years of experience completing forensic investigations have informed his recommendations for new construction projects.

September 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Carbon Based Lifeforms Creating Zero Carbon Buildings
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Eric Corey Freed
Description

In the last decade, carbon levels increased 20 parts per million (from 380 to 403), the population grew by one billion, global temperature increased by half a degree Celsius, and 25 percent more people moved into our cities.

The world is rapidly changing and will be a very different place by 2030. In this talk, we’ll explore dozens of disparate trends in technology, sustainability and the construction industry and connect the dots to get a glimpse into how we can save the world AND save our businesses at the same time. You’ll learn how to stack emerging trends to forecast opportunities in the green building space.

Climate change is redefining the design parameters and project demands for building design. Uncertainty in the future will require solutions that measure and manage energy, water and health outcomes in innovative ways.

During this energetic and entertaining session, we’ll train and engage attendees in a collaborative process to better address systemic barriers to healthy, high-performing, sustainable, resilient buildings. Together, we’ll acknowledge the challenges and complexities facing project teams pursuing net zero / zero carbon projects and how to identify the risks amplified over and above a conventional development.

Hear from an award winning architect in a lively discussion that will change how you look at the future, regardless of how bleak it may be!

Eric Corey Freed is an award-winning architect, author, and global speaker. As Sustainability Disruptor for Morrison Hershfield, he identifies solutions to problems most teams didn't know were holding them back. He was Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, a visionary design leader in biophilic and regenerative design.

His past roles include Vice President of the International Living Future Institute and Chief Community Officer of EcoDistricts, both nonprofits pushing innovative new paradigms for deep green buildings and communities.

Eric is the author of 11 books, including "Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies.” In 2012, he was named one of the 25 "Best Green Architecture Firms" in the US, and one of the "Top 10 Most Influential Green Architects." In 2017, he was named one of Build's American Architecture Top 25. He holds a prestigious LEED Fellow award from the US Green Building Council.

May 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
The Science of Modular Construction
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Nathan D. Young
Description

This lecture will focus on the benefits of building in a dry, controlled environment and how this helps to build better buildings. Focusing on the science of construction, specifically the thermodynamic relationship of a building from inside to outside. Speaking on product integration and the importance of understanding how all the different WRBs, tapes, and sealants work together as well as the importance of mechanical systems and building pressures.

Nathan started working in the construction industry in 1991 at the age of 16. He started Nathan D. Young Construction, Inc. in 1998 and focused on residential remodels and custom homes. In 2008 Mr. Young started MODS PDX INC with a focus on sustainable modular buildings with an emphasis on the science behind construction. For the last 15 years they have focused on building envelope failures and how to prevent them through proper construction techniques and product integration. They work closely with manufacturers to assure that their buildings are built with products that will work together to assure that the thermodynamics of the building are in balance.

April 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
ETFE Roofing
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Stephane Hoffman
Description

The fluorocarbon-based polymer ethylene tetrafuoroethylene (ETFE) is quickly gaining popularity in North America and is being used on some of the continent’s most prominent projects. Through review of multiple case studies of current ETFE installations, Morrison Hershfeld will review lessons learned and provide an understanding of limitations as well as benefits of the material from a building science perspective.

Stéphane joined Morrison Hershfield in 1994 and currently holds the position of Senior Building Science Specialist. With Master’s studies in historic restoration that combines structural engineering, building science and architecture, Stéphane brings a well-balanced consulting approach to the conservation of the building envelope; blending scientific analysis with an understanding of aesthetics considerations. He has consulted on several historic restoration projects. He is particularly adept at providing innovative design concepts and construction alternatives that provide value by improving durability and increasing energy efficiency.

As a key technical leader, Stéphane has worked on projects throughout North America and led the expansion of Morrison Hershfield’s Building Science practice in the United States. He now leads their Façade Engineering Group focusing on conceptual design of cladding and glazing systems. As a senior member of the team, his knowledge and skills are leveraged throughout the firm. The breath of his knowledge and experience is often called upon to troubleshoot and help resolve issues on both new and existing buildings.

March 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Curtain Wall Failures
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Karim Allana
Description

This presentation will examine recent window and curtain wall assembly failures and performance issues for Insulated Glazing Units (IGU), aluminum coatings, gaskets, and associated water and air leakage issues. With the advent of globalization in the construction industry, façade glazing systems are beginning to experience new types of failure in the components (seals, coatings, sealants, etc.) used to assemble the complex systems and result in performance issues of today’s high rise projects. Various components and systems will be examined regarding their potential for air and water intrusion, coating issues, glass breakage and/or IGU failure.

Karim P. Allana is the CEO and Senior Principal of Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABBAE) a leading Architectural-Engineering firms specializing in the Building Envelope and Sustainable Construction for new and rehabilitation projects. Karim earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University and is a licensed professional engineer in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Washington. He is a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) and Registered Waterproofing Consultant (RWC) through RCI, Inc.

Mr. Allana has been in the A/E and construction fields for 30+ years, specializing in forensic analysis and sustainable construction of roofing, waterproofing and the building envelope. At ABBAE, Mr. Allana has for 31 years provided technical leadership and design review, while directing the company. Mr. Allana has acted as a consultant and expert witness in 400+ construction defect projects, as lead plaintiff or defense expert, or in defense of sub-contractors and manufacturers. He is a frequent speaker and presenter at professional forums.

February 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Evolution of Roofing Membranes
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Helene Hardy Pierce
Description

This course will discuss the different types of roofing membranes and systems available for low slope/commercial installations and the benefits each brings to the building envelope. Over the past 25 years, there have been many changes in not just the materials available but also the installation methods used to install roofing systems. In addition to the materials, installation methods will be discussed as well as a practical discussion of how to evaluate which option may be better than others for several different scenarios.

Helene is Vice President of Technical Services, Codes, and Industry Relations for GAF. Helene has spent over 37 years in the roofing industry and has been very active in many of the industry’s organizations. She received the ASTM Award of Merit and title of Fellow from ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing, Waterproofing and Bituminous Materials in 1998, the James Q. McCawley award from the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association in 1999 for contributions to the roofing industry, and the title of Fellow of the Institute from the Roof Consultants Institute in 2005.

Helene serves as the current Chair for the PIMA Board of Directors and is a director for SPRI, RCMA, and the RCI Foundation. Helene is also Vice Chair of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing.

January 2018 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Lessons Learned from Three Multifamily Passive Buildings
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Katrin Klingenberg
Description

The number of passive houses and buildings meeting the stringent PHIUS+2015 Passive Building Standards has increased exponentially over the past two years: first single family residential projects were built, then multifamily projects and now the trend is moving towards commercial structures. Many municipalities such as NYC have already incentives in place for residential passive buildings or are evaluating to implement incentives as a solution to meeting their climate action plans. This presentation takes a look at three completed case studies of low and midrise multifamily projects across the country that were constructed at 0-5% additional cost over an EnergyStar baseline. Successful construction techniques and lessons learned will be discussed.

Katrin Klingenberg is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). In 2003, Ms. Klingenberg designed and completed the first home to meet passive house standards in the United States. She has designed and consulted on numerous successful passive house and building projects across North America’s varied climate zones since. In addition to her executive role at PHIUS she is the lead instructor for PHIUS Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC®) training. In that role she directs curriculum development. She also directs the technical and research programs of PHIUS, and is a licensed architect in Germany. She frequently presents on the passive building topic nationally and internationally.