Apart from aesthetics, when brick is selected for new construction, test data provided by the manufacturer is often reviewed for strength, saturation coefficients, and perhaps efflorescence. Unfortunately, another important characteristic—the initial rate of absorption (IRA)—sometimes receives little attention.
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One of the most treasured awards I have from CSI is the Ben John Small Memorial Award—only 11 people have received this accolade since it was first presented in 1996.
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The control and management of rainwater on and within a curtain wall assembly is critical for long-term performance and durability. Water-control strategies—most commonly drainage or barrier (exclusion)—can vary by system type and glazing technique.
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Some view mentorship as a formal process where two people are set up to connect and learn from each other. This can feel contrived and awkward, or even sound scary. My personal definition of mentorship is simply ‘learning from anyone farther along the path than I am.’
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In modern buildings, there tends to be moderate tolerance for design/construction errors affecting thermal performance, air leakage, and moisture migration. This is primarily due to the typically low interior moisture levels found in these types of projects and seasonal variation in exterior conditions.
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Many specifiers grumble about the typical architect’s lack of knowledge of how things work and how building materials and assemblies go together—there is that perceived belief, “If I can draw it, someone can build it!”
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Using a mortar harder than adjacent stone or brick can affect the adjacent masonry, from localized spalls along the edges of the mortar joints to severely deteriorated masonry units surrounded by intact pointing mortar.
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Corporate conference and meeting rooms started to receive increased attention from designers a few years ago, and now the same thing is happening to commercial restroom spaces, particularly for Class A office and high-end hospitality buildings.
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When designing repairs to existing buildings and structures, emphasis is typically on durability, with the goal of achieving the longest-possible service life. However, there are some cases in which it is desirable to design repairs that are reversible or removable.
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Last year, CSI’s senior manager for marketing and communications, Christine Tanner asked her Twitter followers to complete the sentence, “Because of the CDT...” My response? “I’m a better architect and better able to serve my clients & industry partners.”
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