...the design and construction industries are notoriously resistant to change, putting them on a collision course with the many cities, states, and provinces that are moving ahead of national standards in keeping with declared intentions to dramatically cut their carbon emissions this decade.
This article explores the need for measurement and verification of building envelope and mechanical systems.
Ever-increasing performance requirements in the latest version of the energy codes are compelling project teams to consider the thermal performance of the building envelope more rigorously than ever before.
Thermal bridging through building facades have been overlooked or over-simplified by designers and building energy codes and standards in the past, which has led to higher space heating and cooling loads, occupant discomfort, and higher risk of condensation.
Dr. Helen Sanders adds context to the Simulation vs. Reality dialogue.
The Simulation vs. Reality Forum proved to be the most popular yet hosted by FTI, in person or virtual, emphasizing the importance and sensitivity of this topic in our professional work and its impact on the built environment.
Hamid Vossoughi talks facade retrofits: the importance of and how to
This month, our content is focused on how buildings impact people and their well-being. How does their shape, look, and design impact how we function? How are our daily lives, our culture, and our society influenced by the built environment around us?
Technoform recently embarked on a research project with the University of Massachusetts Amherst and are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with academia. We believe that building strong partnerships and networks that lead to shared results progresses the industry.
The concept of research has been hashed and rehashed by the architectural profession for decades, but the dialogue has failed to provide a systemic platform for implementation. Akšamija cuts through the confusion and controversy like a sharp blade through soft fruit in a book released last month.
Today the design professions still struggle to understand the nature of research in our work. There is a systemic lack of clarity in defining research in design and developing metrics to evaluate the value behind design interventions and applications
This article is based on an interview with two of my current PhD students, Sunčića (Sunny) Milošević and Hossam Mahmoud. Sunny is an architectural designer and Hossam is a practicing mechanical engineer.
Being part of the European Façade Network efn, an association of ten research and education entities throughout Europe, I would like to share my experiences of last year’s conferences and research activities with this brief contribution.
Research is an essential part of innovation. Our industry has seen an increased interest in research over the last fifteen years, driven by the multifaceted challenges facing our profession—environmental concerns, increasing complexity in building design and construction, necessity to improve...
Pushing Change: R&D Innovation Processes in Construction Building Products, the second installment of the FTI Dialogues: Suppliers & Contractors Series, took place virtually on Friday, March 26th.
The Facade Tectonics Institute kicked off their first installment of FTI Dialogues: Suppliers & Contractors Series virtually on Friday, March 19th. High-performance facade systems are recognized as a key element in achieving sustainable building performance while also being tasked with providing
Here we are, a full year after the initial COVID-19 surge rocked the United States. It’s hard to believe we’ve been living through the pandemic for a full year at this point; and yet it also feels like it’s been multiple years. We are beginning to see glimmers of hope on the horizon as more people..
In this Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Richard Powers a series of fables is woven through a narrative populated by an expansive cast of unlikely characters, trees paramount among them; one a giant redwood named Mimas. Redwoods can live for thousands of years and grow to well over 300 feet tall.
Okay, okay; I have a tree-thing going on. This issue was supposed to be about green facades, but it morphed on me as I laid it out. But here’s the thing: if you don’t have a tree-thing going on, you should. I read The Overstory (graciously reviewed here by our Val Block) followed by a viewing of...
