Advancing Deep Energy Retrofits: Solutions for Improving Building Efficiency

AIAU25-ROCK02

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1 LU|HSW

Live course date: 09/11/2025 | 03:00 PM

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Description

Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 3:00-4:00pm EST

In major cities, existing buildings contribute significantly to overall energy demand and CO2 emissions. As a result, these cities implement polices and laws aimed at drastically reducing the carbon footprint of their building stock. Deep energy retrofits are a key strategy for meeting these goals, and we are seeing an increase of such projects in these cities and beyond. However, fire safety cannot be overlooked in these retrofits, especially in older buildings lacking sprinklers. Additionally, modifying the hygrothermal properties of older buildings presents risks that must be carefully managed in both the design and execution of retrofits of any scale. Buildings that have historically been energy-inefficient require special attention and considerations when retrofitting to ensure durability and resilience for the long term. The last thing we want is to have our newly retrofitted buildings fail or pose safety or health risks to their occupants. This program will explore several case studies of large building retrofits - both interior and exterior approaches - where fire safety and building science were critical factors in the solutions implemented.

Learning Objectives

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Examine the integral role of retrofitting and renovation in a building's energy strategy, and gain insights on how retrofitting existing building stock contributes to achieving greenhouse gas emission–reduction targets.

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Learn about essential design considerations for retrofitting projects that ensure building safety, tenant health, and enclosure durability.

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Discuss case studies that showcase innovative retrofit solutions and highlight critical design considerations, the management of these criticalities, and the resulting assembly designs.

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Find out how building enclosure retrofits can enhance resilience to extreme weather events as well as the principles of designing for passive survivability.

This free live course is brought to you through a partnership with ROCKWOOL. By registering for this course, you grant AIA permission to share your name and email address with ROCKWOOL.

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Instructors

Todd Kimmel

Todd Kimmel has over 20 years of experience working on facade systems and the building enclosure, holding technical and business development leadership positions for multiple leading product manufacturers. He is a certified passive house designer and currently sits on the board of directors for New York Passive House (NYPH). Todd was part of the working group to develop the AAMA 509 testing standard for drained and back ventilated rainscreen.

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Ryan Martin

As a Senior Product Manager at ROCKWOOL North America, Ryan Martin specializes in building insulation, overseeing product strategy for thermal and acoustic batts, exterior walls, and EIFS and Stucco applications. Ryan ensures the ROCKWOOL product portfolio aligns with customer and market demands while staying attuned to competitive trends. Ryan also serves on the Board of Directors for the EIFS Council of Canada and as a member of EIMA.

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