Originally published on June 21, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. Over the past century, advances in infrastructure and the quality of the built environment have contributed to a drastic reduction in infectious diseases in the U.S. However, a coinciding shift toward a more sedentary lifestyle for a majority of Americans has spurred a similarly sharp increase in chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes – which are now among the most common, costly, and….
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Open Space and the Public Realm on a University Campus
Imagine you are walking along the path of your routine commute from point A to point B. What does it look like? Why did you choose that path to your destination? Is it safe? Is it inviting? Is it scenic? As designers, we incorporate our stakeholders’ comments and our expertise of landscape architecture to create a vision that captures a space’s sense of purpose, beauty and function. We believe that in addition to a college or university’s architectural components, the….
Read MoreEffective Insulation R-Values in Steel vs. Wood Framing Types
Also published on May 29, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. . The value of continuous insulation is a source of contention among some building design and construction professionals. Increasingly stringent energy code requirements are calling for minimal amounts of continuous insulation that some claim are prohibitively expensive, structurally complicated, or marginally impactful versus increased cavity insulation. Professionals are generally aware of the potential for thermal bridging in construction assemblies – the phenomenon by which heat conducts….
Read More5 Essential Books for Designing with Nature
Originally published on April 3, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. With Earth Day right around the corner, nature starting to bloom, and summertime travel plans coming together, it is a great time of year to reflect on the intrinsic affinity we have for nature in all its wonder and beauty. Perhaps you’re a design professional who finds instruction and inspiration from nature? The emergence of biophilic design and biomimicry as widely revered design influences speaks to….
Read MoreEmbrace the Data
Originally published on March 7, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. In work as in my personal life, I am often thought of as “a data guy.” Whether it is a personal activity tracker, a vehicle dashboard that provides a breakdown of fuel efficiency, a home energy monitor, or my daily perusal of MLB box scores, I tend to be immersed in numbers constantly. I often like to lean on numbers because they can provide some measure….
Read MoreStages of Design and Types of Energy Models
Originally published on February 13, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. . The publication An Architect’s Guide to Integrating Energy Modeling in the Design Process is a comprehensive (and free) 86-page document from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) that defines the fundamentals of energy modeling, outlines the current state of various performance and analysis tools, and foretells the direction of an architectural industry increasingly focused on performance-based design. Among other components of the document, the guide….
Read MoreBECx is Coming to a Project Near You
Originally published on January 11, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. . In recent years, a growing demand for high-performance building envelope solutions has been evidenced by the increased attention paid to this topic throughout the building design and construction industry. Building Envelope Council (BEC) initiative Seeing this emerging priority, in 2004 the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Enclosure Technology and Environmental Council (BETEC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) signed an agreement to….
Read MoreHere is Your Elevator Pitch Against “LEED Equivalent” Projects
Originally published on December 6, 2016 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. Have you ever been asked to design or construct a project “to LEED’s standard” without actually submitting for certification? This can initially sound like an attractive idea to a client. After all, as long as the owner knows the project is aligned with LEED, why pay the funds to get a plaque on the wall? Lack of Accountability with LEED Equivalent The problem is, an….
Read MoreSustainability Redefined through Resilient Communities
Originally published on November 7, 2016 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. The discourse regarding resilient design is evolving. It has been a year since the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) adopted three LEED pilot credits on resilient design and I am excited to see the discussion expand from coastal urban centers and geographical locations on the front-line of climatic extremes to populations with more nuanced threats emanating from shifting climate. For example, the City of Indianapolis’ Office….
Read MoreUSGBC State of the Climate Event at the Indianapolis Central Library
State of the Climate This year’s USGBC State of the Climate appeared on its surface to be a review of the alphabet. Between LEED, LBC, GBCI, WELL, PHIUS, BABC, BREEAM, and ENERGY STAR, it is clear that the green building industry loves acronyms. After discussing each of these green building rating systems, it was easy to conclude that while they are all attempting to solve the same problem of reducing negative impacts of climate change, they each go about it….
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