Adventures in Hygrothermal Modeling

AIAU25-BPKC02

Included in subscription

1.0 LU|HSW

Live course date: 08/19/2025 | 02:00 PM

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Description

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 2:00-3:00pm ET

Hygrothermal modeling, the analysis of heat and moisture transport through building enclosure assemblies, reveals many of the climate-specific building science secrets that are key to durable design of walls and roofs and other assemblies. Debunking rules of thumb and avoiding answers of “it depends” – data and analysis can reveal exactly how many inches of a certain insulation are required, exactly what perm-rating will optimize an assembly, and what kind of havoc a reservoir cladding system can create. Case studies will be shown that demonstrate when perm rating matters and when it does not, the impact of roof membrane color and the risks of “cool roofing,” and when HT (high-temp) rated membranes are actually required. This presentation’s ulterior motive is to convince the audience that every architecture firm should be doing in-house hygrothermal modeling as an integral component of climate-specific, durable, and resilient design.

Learning Objectives

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Identify climate-specific design strategies for durable construction using hygrothermal modeling.

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Describe common mistakes in building enclosure design that can lead to moisture-related issues such as mold, rot, and corrosion.

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Explain how hygrothermal modeling can be utilized within the architectural design process to ensure building durability and improve indoor air quality.

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Discuss the impact of material properties (permeability, heat capacity, density, conductivity, and porosity) on the hygrothermal performance of wall assemblies.

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

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Instructors

Guanzhou Ji

Guanzhou Ji is a board member of the AIA - Building Performance Knowledge Community. He works at the Illumination and Imaging Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University - Robotics Institute, where he focuses on indoor photometry, computational photography, and physics-based rendering. He serves as a technical committee member for the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).

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Keith Simon

FAIA, CPHC, BECxP, CxA+BE, LEED AP, CEI

An expert in building enclosure technology, Keith Simon addresses the critical and often unmet need for ensuring and improving building performance, resilience, and durability by guiding design teams, educating future architects, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchange. Keith is the VP of Design Phase Services at Salas O’Brien and is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). He is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), Legacy LEED AP, and Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP and CxA+BE) with over 20 years of experience in architectural design and building enclosure consultation. His experience includes peer review, design assistance, durability analysis (hygrothermal modeling), construction administration, testing, and forensics of building envelope issues. Keith was the founder of the AIA Austin Building Enclosure Council (BEC: Austin) and currently serves as a board member for BEC: Austin and the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) Alliance Austin Chapter. He also serves as the Vice Chair for the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) executive committee and Scholarships Chair for the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). Keith has been adjunct faculty at UTSOA since 2011 teaching Environmental Controls, Building Science, Construction Detailing, and Design Studio.

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Andrea W. Watts

Andrea Wagner Watts is the Building Science Education Manager for GAF | Siplast Building & Roofing Science, engaging with industry professionals to provide guidance, technical support and education for roof and wall assemblies. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Andrea strives to improve the overall performance of the building enclosures through application innovation, product development and building science research. Andrea has published on building science, assembly interfaces, durability and resilience and holds multiple patents. She serves as an executive board member of ABAA, is the co-chair of their Technical Committee and chairs the ASTM E06 and D08 Task Groups on air barriers assemblies.

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