Should institutional and commercial buildings be built to last 100 years? Why not? There are plenty of examples—religious structures, university buildings, train stations, and so on—that have performed well for a century or more.
The principles behind their success should inform new buildings for long-term owners like higher education, government agencies, school districts, judicial systems, and commercial developers with long-term disposition horizons.
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- DESCRIBE how heat, air, and moisture can compromise the building envelope and undermine energy efficiency and durability.
- LIST key systems and components for proper enclosure performance.
- DISCUSS how design and construction practices can affect enclosure performance, sustainability, and durability.
- COMPARE two novel technologies that can be used to improve the energy efficiency of building enclosures.
TAKE THE FREE AIA COURSE AT BDCUNIVERSITY.COM
Related Stories
| Oct 3, 2011
Balance bunker and Phase III projects breaks ground at Mitsubishi Plant in Georgia
The facility, a modification of similar facilities used by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc. (MHI) in Japan, was designed by a joint design team of engineers and architects from The Austin Company of Cleveland, Ohio, MPSA and MHI.
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Jul 22, 2011
Air barrier systems: Your guide to optimal performance
Expert advice on how to control wasteful air leakage in the building envelope.
| Jul 22, 2011
Five award-winning modular innovations
The Modular Building Institute's 2011 Awards of Distinction highlight fresh ideas in manufactured construction projects.
| Oct 13, 2010
Community college plans new campus building
Construction is moving along on Hudson County Community College’s North Hudson Campus Center in Union City, N.J. The seven-story, 92,000-sf building will be the first higher education facility in the city.
| Aug 11, 2010
Morphosis builds 'floating' house for Brad Pitt's Make It Right New Orleans foundation
Morphosis Architects, under the direction of renowned architect and UCLA professor Thom Mayne, has completed the first floating house permitted in the U.S. for Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation in New Orleans.The FLOAT House is a new model for flood-safe, affordable, and sustainable housing that is designed to float securely with rising water levels.
