AIA New York is thrilled to introduce you to the newly established AIANY Building Science Committee.
We invite you to register and attend the committee’s monthly meetings, which are meant to foster an environment for all professionals working in the cross-section of building science.
For this month’s meeting, we will be hosting a conversation based on the following question: How can we improve the thermal performance of existing masonry building facades?
Throughout New York, there is a large stock of uninsulated masonry buildings of various typologies, including residential, commercial, arts and culture, and educational. With global efforts to dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and considering that buildings contribute to 40 percent of global carbon emissions, leaving these structures uninsulated has become increasingly untenable. These existing envelope systems could be insulated from the interior or exterior. depending on their landmark status, zoning regulations, and occupancy type. In both cases, retrofit feasibility, the durability of materials, installation cost, and overall envelope performance, such as condensation and freeze-thaw damage, could become issues.
This meeting will address the unique challenges of improving the thermal performance of exterior masonry walls, emphasizing New York code requirements. We will also discuss various assembly options and materials as part of the exterior envelope improvement.
