Unbuild It | Episode 156: Building Standards for Building Professionals?
"Badges, we don't need no stinking badges!!" This famous (mis)quote from the film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre pretty much sums up our discussion on this topic!
Throughout our industry—whether it is product manufacturers and ASTM standards, or architects and their professional certifications—standards don't translate into better buildings. Perhaps, as Steve states, our industry has a cultural problem with all the changes that are necessary to achieve better buildings. The long and the short of it is this: It is only through rigorous education — for both clients AND building professionals — that building-science-based design and construction will become an industry-wide phenomenon.
I do have to include yet another gem from Steve: "chase friction." Great expression for always looking for a better approach to what we do...
Huge thanks to our episode sponsor, North Atlantic. Learn more at: https://www.archconceptsllc.com/
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- YouTube clip from the movie cited above - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iP_LTDggATU
NOTE: We three do NOT have completely aligned perspectives on this topic, and the resources below are simply EXAMPLES of industry approaches to this issue!
- Quality Standards for the Construction Industry (ISO) - https://www.nqa.com/en-us/certification/sectors/construction
- One cut on construction industry education and certifications - https://nawic.org/why-do-construction-education-credentials-matter/
- One interesting article on chasing friction: https://medium.com/@sonalaggarwal2/designers-who-innovate-dont-chase-innovation-they-chase-friction-65ba95177442
Episodes
Unbuild It | Episode 158: The Doctor is In - Retired building scientist and pulmonary physician Nathan Yost
Episode 158
Steve and Pete welcome Nathan Yost to discuss Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), exploring how building materials, indoor environments, and evolving medical understanding can impact those living with sensitivities. Nathan shares insights from years of working with clients, while Steve recounts recent projects where MCS dramatically influenced design decisions, specifications, and material choices—including one project in a surprising "dead zone."
Unbuild It | Episode 155: ZIP-R on the roof?
Episode 155
Plenty of folks in our industry have been talking about using Huber's ZIP-R panels on roofs, and certainly, Huber has been working on this as well. But Steve, Jake, and Nick Sabol (lead on Huber's Technical Team) take a deep dive into all the considerations: structural, hygrothermal, and long-term durability. And Pete's leading resource on this topic? Call Steve
Unbuild It | Episode 154: Wall Details That Actually Work (Part II): Wildfire Zone Rainscreens & Innovative Use of ZIP Sheathing
Episode 154
Nick Sabol (Huber Product Engineering Team) is back to work with Steve & Pete on rainscreen details in wildfire zones and Steve's cool perspective: use building materials in ways that work well but don't follow convention. Lots of GREAT resources!
Unbuild It | Episode 153: Wall Details with Nick Sabol, Huber Product Engineer
Episode 153
UBIP loves tech folks like Nick Sabol of the Huber Product Engineering team. Pete, Jake, and Nick dive into exterior wall details to manage water and air. Big focus on bottom-of-wall-to-foundation details and rainscreen details at windows. Pretty cool to learn about RAINA as well (see Resources). And for better or worse--no Dad joke!
Unbuild It | Episode 152: Thermal & Structural Load Issues with Insulation, Wood, and Concrete
Episode 152
Whoa--the boys go super technical and wonky on structural loading of rigid insulation, thermal bridging with concrete and wood, and innovative framing systems, EcoSmart and Tolko. This leads to an interesting discussion of how often in residential buildings we unknowingly way over-engineer. Steve closes out with a design issue for certain beehives...
Unbuild It | Episode 151: Where Matters: Climate (I)
Episode 151
Pete kicks off a three-part series on how Climate, Site, and Extreme Events influence building design. This episode focuses on climate and why building strategies must change depending on location—just like packing differently for Minneapolis, Honolulu, or New Orleans. Drawing on research from the Building America Solution Center and Joe Lstiburek’s “Perfect Wall,” the discussion highlights the importance of climate-driven building science.
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