Should institutional and commercial buildings be built to last 100 years? Why not? There are plenty of examples—religious structures, university buildings, train stations, and so on—that have performed well for a century or more.
The principles behind their success should inform new buildings for long-term owners like higher education, government agencies, school districts, judicial systems, and commercial developers with long-term disposition horizons.
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- DESCRIBE how heat, air, and moisture can compromise the building envelope and undermine energy efficiency and durability.
- LIST key systems and components for proper enclosure performance.
- DISCUSS how design and construction practices can affect enclosure performance, sustainability, and durability.
- COMPARE two novel technologies that can be used to improve the energy efficiency of building enclosures.
TAKE THE FREE AIA COURSE AT BDCUNIVERSITY.COM
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| Aug 11, 2010
Special Recognition: Kingswood School Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Kingswood School is perhaps the best example of Eliel Saarinen's work in North America. Designed in 1930 by the Finnish-born architect, the building was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style, with wide overhanging hipped roofs, long horizontal bands of windows, decorative leaded glass doors, and asymmetrical massing of elements.