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.
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.
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.
Louis Kahn’s Stainless Steel Glazing System: Performance Upgrades in the Richards Building