Advanced Design Strategies for Optimal Thermal Performance in High-Rise Building Envelopes

AIAU25-BPKC01R

Included in subscription

1.0 LU|HSW

Course expires on: 01/20/2028

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Description

This intermediate to advanced-level course delves into the technical design implications of recent energy efficiency codes—focusing on the building envelope’s critical role in enhancing thermal performance and occupant health, safety, and welfare. Explore strategies to meet increasingly stringent energy codes, including how to quantify and mitigate heat loss through thermal bridges using the Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide. Special emphasis will be placed on addressing the unique challenges of high-rise buildings with traditional unitized glazing systems, where the vertical enclosure area greatly exceeds the horizontal area. Gain the tools and insights needed to improve your material choices, design strategies, and construction practices to achieve optimal thermal performance.

This course was recorded live on February 4, 2025.

Learning Objectives

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Learn the design implications of envelope backstops and thermal bridging mitigation measures in recent codes.

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Understand the unique challenges for traditional unitized glazing systems on high-rise buildings.

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Explore how to quantify heat loss through thermal bridges using the Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide.

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Review recent developments to account for thermal bridging and comply with envelope backstops.

Presented in partnership with the Building Performance Knowledge Community (BPKC).

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Instructors

Stéphane P. Hoffman

M. Eng., M. Arch. PE

As a technical leader, Stéphane leverages our Building Science team’s expertise in Enclosure Design, Façade Engineering, Energy Modeling and Envelope Component Modeling to assist our clients design, build and maintain enclosure systems to deliver high performance buildings. Stéphane’s blend of experience in building science, engineering, and architecture guides his well-balanced approach to building envelope design, blending scientific analysis with an understanding of the aesthetics. He is particularly adept at providing innovative design concepts and construction alternatives that provide value by improving durability and increasing energy efficiency. His work experience covers a wide range of building types across North America with a mix of new construction, as well as envelope rehabilitation and historic restoration projects.

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Guanzhou Ji

PhD

Guanzhou Ji is a board member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – National Building Performance Knowledge Community (BPKC). Ji is a technical committee member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), where he contributes to the development of industry standards and guidelines. His research focuses on photometry, image-based rendering, and physics simulation. Ji received Ph.D. in Building Performance and Diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University and worked at the Illumination and Imaging Laboratory and the School of Architecture. He was awarded the Student and Emerging Professionals Scholarship (2022) by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) – USA.

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