R-value is a starting point, not the whole answer.
On May 21, we're bringing together four of the best in high-performance building for a live conversation about what durable, comfortable, efficient assemblies actually look like in the real world.
Ben Bogie, Builder and COO, Building Performance Cooperative
Connor Malloy, Designer, Builder, and Educator, Passive House Canada
Chris Briley, Architect and Principal, BRIBURN
Holly Mumford, Architect and Founder, Hereabout
Free webinar. May 21 at 2 PM ET. Link in bio to register.
#buildingscience #highperformancehomes #passivehouse #buildbetter #architect #builder #timberHP #woodfiberinsulation
Building into bedrock is equal parts opportunity and responsibility.
To achieve the architect’s vision, we had to blast and set this home directly into solid rock. That creates incredible alignment with the landscape—but it also demands serious planning. Water doesn’t drain through rock, so every rainfall, every snowmelt event has to be anticipated.
What looks like a simple gravel strip with fieldstone is actually part of a comprehensive drainage and waterproofing strategy below the surface. Layers of control, insulation, and drainage move water safely away to daylight, protecting the foundation and keeping the basement dry.
The result is this terrace carved from natural bedrock—beautiful, grounded, and fully engineered behind the scenes. #Edgecraft
WHEN THE CLIENT SAYS " well, our site is kinda away from EVERUTHING" I wasn't thinking wagon trail.....I am jealous, it is gorgeous out here....and I'm not talking the people free environment only, the mountains and landscape is pretty much untouched.......could you live in a place like this?#longliveourbuildings #lovewhatyoudo #lovethisstuff #architect #country
Notice the steel reinforcement around @stevenbaczekarchitect and the cant strips in the corner of the wall after @catalystbuilt plays Vanna White.
Did a little light research and this is a G.F.R.P. System (glass fiber reinforced polymer) a wet set fiberglass mat laid in an epoxy-like bedding compound.
This is the repair after the 2020 5.7 earthquake.
@jordansmithbuilds This was a stop on my floor remediation tour. Eras ain’t got nothing on me!
“Fun” is relative. When you have a seriously hard time not looking at the built environment around you, these are the things you observe.
Now I know there’s another technique out there that may help someone solve a problem.
If anyone knows what product they might be using to stabilize this, I’d love to know.
#fieldnotes
One number doesn't tell you whether your walls will last, whether your clients will be comfortable, or whether moisture will cause problems down the road.
Beyond R-Value is a free live webinar on May 21 featuring Ben Bogie, Connor Malloy, Chris Briley, and Holly Mumford in conversation about the building envelope details that actually matter.
Register at the link in bio.
#buildingscience #highperformancehomes #passivehouse #architect #builder #timberHP #woodfiberinsulation
This week on BS + Beer, we’re talking deep retrofits, wellness, carbon, and cost with Kyle Macht, CPHC and Principal at Macht Architecture. 🍻🏠
Kyle brings a thoughtful, practical perspective shaped by architectural engineering, energy audits, building science, and custom residential design.
We’ll look at retrofit decisions through a wider lens:
💰 upfront costs
🛠️ future maintenance
🌎 embodied + operational carbon
🌬️ indoor environmental quality
🏡 comfort, durability + performance
👥 long-term impacts on people and buildings
Can deeper retrofits be more sustainable, healthier, and more cost-effective when we move beyond simple payback? Let’s get into it.
📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026
⏰ 6pm ET • 5pm CT • 4pm MT • 3pm PT
Bring your questions, your beverage, and your best “it depends” energy. 🍺
Register to watch live, link in bio.
#BSandBeer #BuildingScience #DeepRetrofit #RetrofitForWellness #PassiveHouse #HighPerformanceHomes
ASTM E970- Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
Say that ten times fast!
I feel that it's incredibly valuable for us to understand how our materials are tested. For me, it allows me to make much informed judgments for our projects. Some @astmintl feel as though they have no real bearing on the work we do, and others, like this one, are clearly relevant to protecting occupants and structures from harm.
Big thanks to @timberhp.insulatebetter for opening their doors to share education!
Reclaimed materials carry a story. Making them perform takes intention.
This cladding is salvaged barn board, repurposed from structures that stood for decades. Instead of forcing those boards to fit tight, we install them as an open joint system, allowing for natural spacing that respects the material.
That approach comes with challenges. Sunlight can degrade typical weather barriers, so behind this we use UV-stable layers designed to handle exposure. The boards are also installed over a rainscreen, creating airflow and drainage so any moisture can escape and the wood can dry.
That’s the key to longevity. These boards lasted a century because they could breathe. We’re giving them that same environment again—so they’ll continue performing for decades to come. #Edgecraft
