Building Science Solutions for Sustainable Buildings

In today's era of heightened environmental awareness, architects, developers and building owners face a dual challenge: creating aesthetically pleasing structures that are also functional, and energy-efficient. This blog explores how Intertek ’s Building Science Solutions offers innovative strategies and technologies to address these challenges, unlocking energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and resilience in sustainable building design.?

Understanding Building Science Solutions?

Building Science Solutions encompasses a holistic approach that integrates principles from engineering, architecture, materials science, and environmental science. These solutions are tailored to optimize energy performance, reduce operational costs, increase the durability and longevity of structures, and minimize environmental impact. Architects and building owners can rely on Building Science Solutions to achieve energy efficiency goals while maintaining design integrity and functionality.

Common Project Issues and Solutions?

The increasing stringency of building energy codes require an integrated approach to the design of building enclosures, as well as HVAC and lighting systems. Further, the expanded adoption of Building Performance Standards (BPS) by state and local jurisdictions is requiring many building owners to monitor, maintain and improve energy performance and reduce operational carbon emissions over time. In short, building professionals need to look at energy performance from the outside in, and over the life of the building, not just at the time of design and construction.??

Building enclosures are also the primary line of defense against thermal and moisture issues in buildings, preventing indoor air quality issues and preserving occupant health and comfort. Additionally, more frequent and severe natural hazard events require greater resilience of building enclosures to protect the health and safety of occupants and reduce damage to the building. The experts at Building Science Solutions help project teams to design and construct sound building enclosures from the start and can assess existing building enclosures and advise on opportunities to maintain and improve them.? By implementing optimized building enclosures, owners benefit from enhanced energy performance and optimized HVAC functioning to reduce operational cost, and create more sustainable and resilient buildings, prioritizing occupant well-being.?

Better Building Enclosures:?

Architects and building owners often need help with high-performance building enclosures to address the issues outlined above. Building Science Solutions helps with the design, installation, and maintenance of better building enclosures for new and existing buildings.??

• Energy codes for building enclosures traditionally focused on minimum R-values for insulation and U-values for windows, however thermal bridging and air infiltration significantly diminish the effectiveness of insulation. To meet performance requirements, from minimum code compliance to net zero standards, careful detailing and specification of thermal and moisture control layers, and oversight and testing during construction to ensure proper installation, are necessary to achieve high-performance buildings.???
• Before an expensive retrofit of HVAC systems in existing buildings to reduce operating costs or meet BPS mandates, evaluating building enclosures with a building science lens can identify opportunities to cut air infiltration and improve thermal performance. This can significantly reduce heating and cooling loads and thus the size and cost of new HVAC systems, providing an integrated retrofit solution.?
• Renewable energy systems such as rooftop and building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) arrays are becoming a common element of high-performance, low-carbon buildings. Building science provides assistance with detailing of renewable energy integration to ensure the long-term performance of PV systems and the building elements where they are attached.?
• Building science can also be applied to avoid condensation and moisture issues in new building enclosures, preventing future indoor air quality and material damage issues. In existing buildings, building science helps with testing and inspection to assess indoor air quality issues and identify solutions.?
• Building codes set minimum standards to protect life and safety in buildings but are not intended to optimize performance and to prevent damage and support continuity of operations during and after hazard events. Extreme weather events like heat waves, high winds, and flooding are now putting stresses on buildings not anticipated in codes. Building science can assess site specific hazard vulnerabilities and identify resilience measures to reduce risks.?

Addressing Design Challenges?

In the realm of building science solutions, architects face the critical task of overcoming design constraints while prioritizing energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, resilience, and sustainability. They accomplish this by balancing aesthetic aspirations with functional requirements and regulatory standards. One practical approach involves integrating passive design strategies and high-performance enclosures to reduce energy demand and enhance indoor comfort.??

Architects can optimize energy performance by strategically incorporating passive design principles into building projects without compromising design integrity or occupant comfort. Ultimately, these innovative solutions not only mitigate environmental impact but also contribute to the creation of healthier and more sustainable built environments.?

Maximizing ROI and Sustainability?

Maximizing ROI and sustainability through Building Science Solutions offers economic, environmental, and social benefits. Economically, investing in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices yields substantial cost savings through reduced energy consumption and operational expenses, ultimately bolstering the bottom line.??

Environmentally, embracing sustainable building practices mitigates carbon emissions, conserves natural resources, and fosters environmental stewardship, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.??

Socially, energy-efficient buildings prioritize occupant comfort and well-being, enhancing productivity, satisfaction, and overall quality of life. By embracing Building Science Solutions, stakeholders can achieve a harmonious blend of economic prosperity, environmental responsibility, and social well-being, creating a more sustainable and resilient built environment.?

Economic Benefits:?

• Energy-efficient buildings offer significant savings through reduced energy bills and lower maintenance expenses.?
• Building Science Solutions helps architects and building owners maximize return on investment (ROI) by optimizing building performance and minimizing operational costs.?

Environmental Benefits:

• Energy-efficient buildings contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and minimizing resource consumption.?
• Building Science Solutions are crucial in mitigating buildings' environmental impact, helping combat climate change, and preserving natural resources.?

Social Benefits:?

• Energy-efficient buildings prioritize occupant comfort, health, and productivity, enhancing overall quality of life.?
• Building Science Solutions promotes indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and daylighting, creating healthier and more enjoyable indoor environments for building occupants.?

Building Science Solutions offers architects and building owners a comprehensive toolkit to unlock energy efficiency in sustainable building design. By addressing common project issues, leveraging advanced technologies, and incorporating innovative design strategies, architects can create buildings that meet energy efficiency goals, enhance occupant comfort, reduce environmental impact, and maximize long-term sustainability.??

As the demand for energy-efficient buildings continues to grow, Building Science Solutions will play an increasingly critical role in shaping the future of sustainable architecture and construction.?

Intertek’s BSS Group? ?

As the premier provider of testing, inspection, and certification services worldwide for the built environment, Intertek’s BSS Group offers unmatched capabilities as a tester and certifier of building products, components, and assemblies. This expertise grants us a unique perspective and allows our customers immediate access to knowledge and cutting-edge, in-house testing capabilities, setting us apart from competitors. With the convenience of conducting various tests under one roof, we deliver a more comprehensive and efficient solution to our customers.?

Intertek's Building Science Solutions (BSS) group specializes in building enclosure consulting, commissioning, and field performance testing for new and retrofit projects. Backed by over 160 BSS team members nationwide and a network of testing labs within the broader Intertek Building and Construction division, our robust engineering and consultancy network ensures our customers receive complete and integrated solutions tailored to their needs.?

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Intertek Author: Alan Scott, FAIA, LEED Fellow LEED AP BD+C, O+M, CEM, WELL AP?

Director of Sustainability?

Building Science Solutions?

Building & Construction?