Presentation Overview
Tuesday, MAY 5, 11:15AM – 12:15PM
Nicollet Ballroom
This presentation will be 60 minutes on high performance enclosure design and how to navigate cladding and glazing support while maximizing building energy efficiency and structural longevity. Modern exterior enclosures are complex systems that need to factor in air and vapor control layers, insulation in multiple locations within the assembly, and robust structural support for glazing and cladding. With the variables of climate, energy code, and construction type in the mix, it can be overwhelming to try and put all the pieces together. In this presentation we will look at some ‘good, better, best’ exterior wall assemblies, how cladding type affects vapor control layers, tradeoffs that you may face based on construction type, and finally, what is the difference between a vapor retarder and an air barrier anyway?
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how cladding type affects air and vapor control layers as well as cavity requirements for drainage and drying.
- Understand best practice for where to locate the line of glazing within the wall assembly and how to support glazing and cladding in both combustible and non-combustible construction types.
- Learn the difference between an air barrier, a vapor barrier, a vapor retarder, and a water resistive barrier; and understand how to determine when more than one control layer is desirable and where they should be located.
- Understand best practices for how to flash openings to shed water while creating air tight openings for various claddings (i.e.: rainscreens vs. reservoir claddings, etc.).
Jessica Saravia, DMAC Architecture and Interiors
Jessica’s career has delved into every phase of design and construction, and led to her current role as Technical Director at DMAC where she leads construction documentation, administration, and specification writing across project types, sizes, and programs. Her enthusiasm for design detailing is only rivaled by her investment in code knowledge and constructability. Jessica is passionate about building performance and building science. She is the current Chair of the Leadership Group for the National AIA Building Performance Knowledge Community. In addition, she serves on the National AIA Codes and Standards Committee and as Vice Chair of the Chicago Chapter of the Building Enclosure Council.
She lives in a 100-year-old house in Evanston with her husband, three kids, and two dogs.
