Login Designing & Constructing an Airtight Building
From theory to construction, learn from experienced practitioners who are involved with the design, construction and testing of airtight buildings in the Pacific Northwest. Discover key insights learned from years of hands-on experience to ensure your next project truly (not just on paper!) delivers the air performance you need to achieve an energy efficient building envelope. Following the 60-minute seminar will be a 30-minute Q&A.
Brian Lenz, Quality Assurance Manager, Walsh Construction
Brian has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry in the areas of multi-family housing, ultra-high-end single family residential, and commercial tenant improvements. He is currently with Walsh Construction Seattle where as a Quality Assurance Manager he is responsible for building envelope constructability reviews, construction phase inspections and detail troubleshooting. He also coordinates on and off-site qualitative material and assembly testing in the pursuit of airtight, energy efficient projects. Walsh primarily builds multi-family apartments for non-profit housing organizations serving the low-income, senior and homeless populations, who are heavily vested in owning energy efficient low maintenance buildings.
During the preconstruction phase Brian works collaboratively with the architect and envelope consultant to review and help fine tune simple, cost effect details that can be consistently well executed in the field. He is trained in thermal imaging and smaller scale use of blower door testing for use in diagnostics, often during and after an RDH whole building air leakage test. He oversees training for the Walsh window and weather barrier installation crew, as well as for subcontractor preconstruction mockups to ensure that the transitions between trades are as seamless as possible.
Brian has a Masters of Architecture from the University of Washington where he has been an instructor for design-build studios working on load bearing straw bale projects on the Crow, Northern Cheyenne and Lakota Sioux reservations. He is also a strong advocate for Walsh’s project specific mockup being designed as “Tiny Houses” that at building turnover can be donated to Walsh’s non-profit clients for use in one of Seattle’s Nickelsville homeless communities.
James Higgins, Building Science Technologist, RDH Building Science
James’ focus at RDH is building enclosure design, forensic investigations, building monitoring, thermal analysis, field review, and testing services. James combines his theoretical expertise with a practical approach to solving complex design and construction problems. His testing work includes large-scale qualitative airtightness testing in new and existing buildings by using blower fans with theatrical fog and thermographic cameras to identify air leakage pathways. James also helped develop the Illustrated Guide – Achieving Airtight Buildings, produced with BC Housing, BC Hydro, and the City of Vancouver.
