In mid-January, I presented an overview of the significance of thermal bridging in façades and demonstrated how to integrate the programs THERM and WINDOW into the design process. The presentation showed how to utilize the programs to assess the heat flow in thermal bridges.
Common perception of thermal bridges is that they often have a small impact on the R-value of assemblies. However, research has shown that bridges can often decrease assemblies’ R-values by 40-60% and are becoming the dominant source of heat flow in contemporary envelope assemblies. To continue to improve the performance of our enclosures — an accessible, accurate method for heat flow simulations is needed to understand and improve our designs. The presentation covered a method to utilize the program THERM to assess thermal performance. Project examples of the analysis of window and wall assemblies were covered as well, in addition to the impact of thermal bridges on the R-value and building energy usage.
Check out the full presentation here:
Determining the Thermal Performance of Your Building Enclosure: Assessing Thermal Bridges
Cape Cod Community College’s Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center is a net-positive energy building designed to transform the heart of campus.
The project approaches sustainability through a holistic and global approach, implementing a range of moves including passive solar shading overhangs, air-source heat pumps, high performance materials with low embodied carbon and the expansion of the range of thermal comfort and lighting power density. Combined with on-site photovoltaics, the project achieves net-positive energy use.
The project’s thermally modified wood rainscreen façade is a study of the modern expression of vernacular Cape Cod architecture while reducing embodied carbon. Early lifecycle assessments identified the immense carbon savings of wood over fiber cement. The design team did not stop there, furthering reductions by peeling back unnecessary finishes like carpet and ceilings. Together, these decisions enabled a 19% reduction in embodied carbon.
#earthweek #designalways #buildingscience #performalism #netpositive #capecodmodernism #capecod #newengland
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