Letter from the Chair, 2018 to the members of the Building Performance KC:
2017 was a great year for the Building Performance Knowledge Community under the strong leadership of our outgoing chair Pamela Sams and the hard work of the KC team. Note that the name of the KC has been shortened from Technical Design Building Performance KC to Building Performance KC. The purpose of the KC remains the same as stated on our web page:
The goal of the Building Performance Knowledge Community is to promote architects as leaders in the application of technical design for building performance; in the use of high-performance design criteria, codes, and standards; and in programming, designing and managing building performance. To advance, disseminate, and advocate—to the architecture profession, AIA members, building owners, the construction industry, the academy, and the public—design practices that create buildings that are healthy, energy efficient, and durable.
Through our Techniques’ Newsletter and our Education Committee, our members contribute articles that:
- Discuss techniques to use in the design of higher performance buildings
- Inform members of industry developments such as the information generated from The National Institute of Building Sciences Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) and the Building Enclosure Council (BEC) conference that was just held in Philadelphia
- Review the performance of existing buildings developing lessons learned and potential strategies for improving the performance of the built environment
- Review the performance of materials used in our building assemblies
The Definitions project BP subgroup has developed a glossary of Building Performance terms defined with the assistance of outside researcher Emily McGlohn, Visiting Assistant Professor, Auburn University. This glossary is being completed and the project is determining the appropriate venue for publication.
This KC is also working to develop sessions for upcoming AIA conferences.
The KC looks forward to your participation in 2018. An easy way to participate is through the Latest Discussion section of our web page: www.aia.org/askbuildingperformance
Please respond to members’ questions and comments and enliven the discussion. Also, please complete the Building Performance member survey to allow us to get a better idea of your interests and the direction you think this KC should take. And check for Upcoming Events on the web page.
For those who have signed up for the A'18 Opening Night Celebration in New York on Wednesday, June 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., members of our KC look forward to meeting you there.
Best regards,
Brad Gellert
(E.B. Gellert)