In this presentation, Richard will share the design principles being developed for the ASTM Structural Use of Glass standard, how they were implemented on the Seattle Space Needle, and how these new standards will allow architects and engineers to achieve bolder designs with lower risks.
Building envelope standards and practices have evolved over the past few decades in response to increased energy efficiency goals and a better understanding of Building Science. New materials, systems, and methods have been developed that reduce air leakage through building envelopes. Thermal protection requirements have increased and continuous insulation is often detailed better to avoid thermal bridges.
The building envelope is an integral part of architectural expression and is quickly becoming the innovative system utilized to realize carbon emission reduction goals. More and more the building envelope’s roofing, glazing, and waterproofing assemblies include Mass Timber. These assemblies are critical for ensuring durability but challenged to increase envelope performance without creating environmental barrier deficiencies.
Water-Resistive Barriers (WRBs) have evolved to serve compound forms and functions. Despite these advances, performance expectations still reflect over-simplistic assumptions and problematical testing methods. Interfaces with modern wall components also remain ill-defined with respect to the WRB’s primary function of liquid water resistance. Industry trends toward component integration have further strained the WRB’s intended role.
Sometimes the glass that was part of the building envelope ends up on the street. Nobody is happy. Buildings age and fail when the properties of the materials change. Currently, there is no effective method of determining the design life of materials used in building enclosures. Materials are thus selected based on first cost. This transfers the benefit of lower cost materials to the specifier, but the risk associated with that decision on the building owner. When there is a way to determine the accurate design life, economically efficient materials selection decisions are possible.
The Portland Building Enclosure group will be organizing a tour of the in-progress renovation of the Portland Building. The project is located at 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204. Touring guests will need to check-in, sign-in, and fill out waivers prior to the tour; please congregate under Portlandia at fifteen minutes prior to the tour Thursday, April 4th.
DLR Group and Howard S Wright are working on the new renovation of this iconic building. We ask that guests bring their own PPE, including: 1. Hard hats 2. Vests 3. Pants 4. Shoes w/ankle support 5. Safety glasses.
Louis Kahn’s Stainless Steel Glazing System: Performance Upgrades in the Richards Building
Building owners that maintain facilities must contend not only with the upfront costs of construction, but also with the long-term costs of maintenance and repairs. Often times, there are lessons to be learned about long-term building envelope performance from facilities that are held by the same owner for long periods of time. However, the lessons learned often are not readily available to designers, contractors, and managers when a new building is being designed and built.
The materials and systems used in buildings have changed dramatically over time. Understanding how old buildings work from a building science perspective will lead to better maintenance and retrofit decisions. Sarah Gray and David Young will discuss how traditional materials and construction practices managed heat transfer, air flow, vapor diffusion and moisture absorption in old buildings. We will also discuss how performance can be maintained or improved. Case study examples will illustrate challenges and solutions for old buildings.
The Portland Airport Concourse E extension extends Concourse E more than 800 feet. The project adds several new gates, passenger concessions, and other amenities while creating improved regional flight ground loading facilities and airline operational spaces.