Building Envelope

and Assemblies
 Introduction
•The building envelope includes all the building components that
separate the indoors from the outdoors.
•Building envelopes include the exterior walls, foundations, roof,
windows, and doors.

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 Introduction
•Building Envelope and Assemblies focuses on the application of
building science principles to the design of building enclosures.
•The building envelope is a physical separator between the exterior and
the interior of the building and fenestration systems. The building
envelope is the physical barrier between the exterior and interior
environments enclosing a structure.

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 Introduction
•Generally, the building envelope is comprised of a series of components
and systems that protect the interior space from the effects of the
environment like precipitation, wind, temperature, humidity, and
ultraviolet radiation.

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 Introduction
•The internal environment is comprised of the occupants, furnishings,
building materials, lighting, machinery, equipment, and the HVAC
(heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system.

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 Introduction
•Opaque components include walls, roofs, slabs on grade (in touch with the
ground), basement walls, and opaque doors.

•Fenestration systems include windows, skylights, ventilators, and more than

one- half glazed doors. The envelope protects the building’s interior and
occupants from the weather conditions and shields them from other external
factors e.g. noise, air pollution, etc.

•Envelope design strongly affects the visual and thermal comfort of the
occupants, as well as energy consumption in the building.

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 Building Envelope

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 Building Envelope

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 Functions
•Support: to ensure strength and rigidity; providing structural support
against internal and external loads and forces.
•Control: to control the exchange of water, air, condensation and heat
between the interior and exterior of the building.
•Finish: this is for aesthetic purposes. To make the building look attractive
while still performing support and control functions.

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 Physical Components
•The building envelope includes the materials that comprise the
foundation, wall assembly, roofing systems, glazing, doors, and any
other penetrations.
•The connections and compatibility between these elements are critical
to ensure that the building envelope functions as intended.

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 Foundation
•The foundation is the structural component that transmits the loads from
the building to the underlying substrate.
•Typically, some combination of reinforced concrete walls, slabs, and
footings constitute the structural components of the foundation.
• However, the foundation must also be designed to control the transfer of
moisture and thermal energy into the interior space.

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 Foundation
• The transfer of thermal energy through the foundation can be
controlled by providing insulation between the interior and exterior
environments

• Drainage around the perimeter of the foundation must be provided to

prevent long-term underwater submersion of the waterproofing
membrane.

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 Foundation
• Waterproofing the foundation is typically completed by applying a
liquid applied asphaltic damp proofing. Additional waterproofing
products such as sheet-applied membranes, liquid membranes,
cementitious waterproofing, and built-up systems are also viable
options.

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 Foundation Drainage

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 Foundation Drainage

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 Wall Assembly
• The wall assembly consists of a system of components that fulfill the
support, control, and finish the function of the building envelope.
• Components:
a. Exterior cladding
b. Exterior sheathing membrane Exterior sheathing
c. Insulation
d. Structural components Vapor barrier
e. Interior sheathing

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 Wall Assembly

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 Roofing System
• The roofing system is an important part of any house, as it keeps the weather out.

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 Roofing system

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 Glazing
• Glazing refers to the panels in windows, doors, and skylights - usually
glass - that let light through.

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 Door
• Doors are included in the housing envelope as they tend to be the biggest
holes in the envelope. Having outer doors that seal well drastically
improves the thermal efficiency of a house.

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 Fundamentals of Performance
• The performance of the building envelope is impacted by a number of
sub‐systems, such as heating, cooling and ventilating equipment,
plumbing, and electrical systems.

• The interaction of the sub‐systems with the components of the building

envelope, as well as certain activities of the occupants, can affect the
performance of the building envelope.

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 Fundamentals of Performance
• The building envelope should keep out:

a. temperature extremes;
b. moisture, as vapor or liquid;
c. dust; and
d. wind.

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 Fundamentals of Performance
•Additionally, to maintain durability, the building envelope should not
permit weather elements to be trapped inside the walls. This may cause
wall components to deteriorate and continue to decay. In the early stages,
it can usually be remedied relatively inexpensively.

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 Considerations of the fundamentals of
performance:
• Axis. It is a line established by two separate points in space. It
defines the points at which shape and spaces can be set in an
asymmetrical and a balanced way.
• Symmetry. It is the balanced division and collection of all equivalent
forms and spaces on also sides of the separating plane or regarding
its center axis.
• Hierarchy. It articulates the importance and significance of a shape
or space by the assist of its size shape as well as placement.

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 Considerations of the fundamentals of
performance:
• Rhythm. It is a unifying movement that is characterized by a
patterned repetition or an alteration of the formal elements.
• Datum. It defines a line plane or volume that serves together,
measure, as well as organize a pattern of form and spaces.
• Transformation. It is the principal of retaining an architectural
design idea or association and strengthening as well as building it
through a sequence of discrete transformations.

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 Fundamentals of Performance
•One of the most important aspects worth considering when discussing the
building envelope is part of the country the building is located.

•Products, best practices, building methods, and construction theories that

are the best in one part of the country are not likely the best practices in
another part of the country.

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 Fundamentals of Performance
•In many areas, local government ordinances and building codes are trying
to bridge the gap between the universal standard and the local standard.
•However, these codes are often just the minimum acceptable standards,
and may not be the best procedures possible.

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 Fundamentals of Performance
•Further variance in building envelope requirements can even occur within
the same climate.
•Two homes in the exact same region, state, county, or even neighborhood
may need different kinds of building envelopes.
•One home may see more direct sunlight, while the other may be at the
bottom of a hill and prone to flooding. Even the direction the home is
plotted can have some bearing

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 Fundamentals of Performance
•This makes it important to rely on experts that understand how all these
things can be applied and work together.
•More importantly, it is important to discuss how these things do not
work against each other as well. When the right people with the right
knowledge get behind the wheel, a truly proper building envelope can
be created.

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 Aesthetics
• The fundamental goals of a successful building, regardless of location,
aesthetics, program, owner, and building type, are essential to keep water
out and allow thermal control within.

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 Aesthetics
• Weaknesses in the building envelope can result in several undesirable
results, from moisture infiltration, often leading to mold and mildew;
damage caused by wind loads, high energy costs, ongoing maintenance
problems, and failure of one or more architectural and engineering
building systems.

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 Aesthetics
• Any of these scenarios, and the numerous ripple effects that may ensue,
can potentially increase risk and liability concerns for architects, design
professionals, building owners, and occupants.

• For these reasons, and the desire to promote sound professional design
standards, a thorough understanding of building envelope design
methods and construction techniques are critical aspects of architectural
practice.

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 Aesthetics
• "The building envelope is more than a façade−it is the poetic mediation
between an internal spatial realm and the outside world." -Antoine
Predock, FAIA, 2006 American Institute of Architects Gold Medalist.

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 Aesthetics
• Innovative architectural design is enhanced by careful attention to
detailing, selection, and specification of compatible materials and related
component systems. At the same time, architects, specifiers, and design
professionals must be aware of component installation methods and
construction techniques.

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 Aesthetics
•With so many advances in manufacturing processes, emerging new
materials, and enhanced technology in the marketplace, along with
ongoing updates of building codes and industry testing criteria, and an
often unskilled labor force, the required knowledge base for effective
building envelope design is constantly expanding.

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 Insulated Metal Composite Panels
• Innovative building envelope
materials often address several
issues, from promoting
sustainability and energy
efficiency to minimizing liability
and risk stemming from mold
issues.

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 End of Lecture

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