Building science is the study of how heat, air, and moisture interact with primary building systems, including the mechanical systems and building enclosure. The interface between the building enclosure, interior space, and exterior climate can have significant impacts on building performance, durability, and occupant experience, and it is critical to consider these factors during design to avoid repeating mistakes from the past. Practical applications of building science principles often manifest in a complex manner, making it difficult to predict how and when certain design choices apply. While the individual scientific principles are seemingly straightforward, their interdependency in practice often depends on a multitude of factors across various design disciplines, meaning that building science solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Informed by both new design practice and failure investigation, this presentation will touch on the fundamentals of applying building science concepts to building enclosure design. The presentation will also explore, through a series of case studies and common industry practices, everyday building science questions and solutions as well as the situationally-dependent factors that dictate their successful implementation.

1. Apply key building science principles to building enclosure design.
2. Identify how codes and standards address building science issues.
3. Recognize the interdependency of building science concepts.
4. Recognize building science-related consequences and performance impacts of building enclosure design choices.