Wagdy Anis Symposium on Building Science 2024

Call for Abstracts

Controlling HAM* Transfer
Through the Building Enclosure

*Heat, Air and Moisture

As ever-stricter performance and sustainability targets are established for the built environment, members of the design and construction industry must work together to reduce the energy demands of new and existing buildings. We aim to produce and retrofit exciting, beautiful buildings – and at the same time achieve and even exceed energy code requirements. How does balancing these goals impact the design process? What new tools for problem solving are available to assist in navigating code requirements? Wagdy's lessons on the control of Heat, Air, and Moisture control are ever more important in practice today. In this year’s symposium we will explore successful approaches to meeting these aspirations.

The symposium planning committee seeks submission of 200-word abstracts on the theme Controlling HAM Transfer through the Building Enclosure. We encourage participation by representatives from a wide range of perspectives including: building ownership and operations; design, engineering and construction at each phase of a project; and research & development of construction methods, materials and products. The structure of the symposium will include a mix of 30-minute talks and 60-minute panel presentations including case studies. We recommend that each panel include no more than 4 speakers. Additionally, ideas for workshops and student papers will be welcomed.

Topics of interest include:

• Impact of Energy Code and Stretch Code on the design process and the resulting building designs

• Methods for achieving airtightness

• Special challenges of heat, air and moisture control through and around fenestration

• Maximizing effectiveness of insulation by minimizing thermal bridges

• Strategies for approaching code requirements as a whole

• Detailed review of code requirements including backstop calculation, understanding TEDI

• Decoupling HAM management and aesthetic choices for cladding

• Impact of panelization on meeting code requirements

• Balancing HAM performance goals with life-cycle impact of construction materials

Click on the link in the box above to submit an abstract.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Friday, 24 May 2024: Abstract submissions due

• Friday, 21 June 2024: Committee will finalize program and notify presenters

• Friday, 20 September 2024: Presentation slides due

The Boston Building Enclosure Council (B-BEC), a non-profit led by architects and building enclosure experts, fosters technical excellence in building design and construction. Through monthly meetings, special events with panels and discussions, and knowledge sharing on materials and methods, B-BEC provides a forum for the design and construction industry to address common challenges. Our ultimate goal: promoting the informed application of building science to create high-performing commercial and residential buildings.

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About Wagdy Anis FAIA (1941-2018)

Wagdy Anis served the architectural profession as a skilled problem solver, teacher, and advocate for the integrity and performance of the building enclosure in a career that spanned more than five decades.

During his 40-year tenure at Shepley Bulfinch Richardson & Abbott, Anis became a leader in the application of building science principles to the practice of building enclosure design. In 2008 he joined Wiss, Janney, Elstner as a building enclosure consultant. Seven years later he established his own practice, Anis Building Enclosure Consulting. To view his full bio, please click here.

About the Building Enclosure Council

The Boston Building Enclosure Council (B-BEC) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote technical excellence in the design and construction of the building enclosure. B-BEC is led by architects and building enclosure experts, to provide a forum where members of the design and construction industry can discuss common issues and share information on materials and methods, with the goal of promoting the well-informed application of building science to construction of commercial and residential buildings. We support this mission through monthly meetings and periodic special events, featuring panels, presentations, discussions and related activities.