Integrated design is at the heart of the high performance, sustainable building. A high performance building is much more than the myriad of components that are utilized to construct it. Integrated design is the way these construction elements come together to ensure long-term performance of the building enclosure.
Eliminating the Gaps…Ensuring Continuity Throughout the Building Envelope
In order to achieve sustainability, the building enclosure must be addressed in a holistic way by considering all aspects of design that can affect energy efficiency, durability and occupant comfort. There are literally hundreds of decisions during the design process. Each choice about material selection and detailing add together to provide either higher or lower overall performance.
Recognizing the elements critical to the success of projects, Tremco’s Building Envelope Solutions Team (BEST) gets involved with the local Tremco field sales representative at the outset of projects, working with the design and construction team to respond to design challenges. This team of building science specialists collaborate with window fabricators; the architectural team; the construction management team; the glazier, air barrier, waterproofing contractors; wall manufacturers; building envelope commissioning firms and others involved with the project across the country to ensure appropriate choices and detailing to achieve the desired long-term outcomes. These outcomes today include buildings able to perform for 100 years, that require little maintenance and reduce energy consumption up to 50% over comparable facilities.
Large, complex projects require consolidated scope, coordinated approach
Large and complex projects require large and complex teams. Consolidating scope and responsibility with manufacturers that provide a coordinated approach generally leads to higher quality outcomes.
This includes:
- Review of construction documents including specifications and drawings
- Application and shop drawing review
- Evaluation of connection points and compatibilities
- Appropriate selection of products meeting performance requirements
- Assistance with on-site testing protocols/in-house testing
- Installation assistance/training to ensure quality of field installation
 |
|
The translucent silicone extrusion
incorporated in Tremco’s patented
Proglaze ETA Engineered Transition
Assembly provides a “stressless”
connection, eliminating movement as a
design consideration. |
|
| |
|
Longer facility life, energy reduction is dependent on the integrity of the building enclosure – minimizing air infiltration
Building envelope repair and replacement in North America remains a multi-billion dollar expenditure. Most of the problems are moisture-related and caused either by air leakage or exterior moisture penetration and occur within the one percent of the building exterior containing the terminations and transition detailing. Furthermore 70% of all construction litigation is related to façade leakage.
| |
 |
| |
Innovation + an integrated, holistic approach to design can yield whole building air leakage rates below even USACE standards of 0.25cfm/sq. ft. @75 Pa.
|
Even modest improvements at any of these transitions can have a significant impact on the building’s energy use. In some cases, combining innovation with integrated design and the involvement of Tremco’s Building Envelope Solutions Team can take performance to dramatic new levels.
View our case study for Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery
View our case study for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
