Webinar

Fenestration Replacement: Identifying Clear Design Solutions for Existing Buildings

Fenestration Replacement: Identifying Clear Design Solutions for Existing Buildings

Owners of existing buildings may often need to revitalize their building enclosures to improve performance, particularly to address air and water leaks at fenestrations. Although there are always challenges when designing within the constraints of an existing building, different types of buildings encounter their own unique challenges to consider. They can include limiting disruption to ongoing operations inside the building, meeting more stringent interior environmental conditions, or changing the functionality of the fenestration system itself. Identifying these obstacles and anticipating difficult construction conditions during design can reduce delays later in the project schedule. In this webinar, we will review several fenestration replacement case studies to discuss their distinctive conditions and the proposed solutions developed by the design team. In particular, we will share best practices for detailing watertight enclosures—especially regarding air and water leakage—including how to maintain continuity at interfaces between adjacent enclosure assemblies. Additionally, we will review key measures that can be taken early in design to better prepare project teams for varying existing perimeter conditions encountered during construction.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize building enclosure design best practices for detailing watertight enclosures, especially regarding air and water leakage.
  • Understand when and how to use non-destructive testing procedures, such as air leakage and water penetration testing, to better inform the overall design, including the need for window replacement.
  • Develop an investigative opening plan to help inform the design and better prepare for varying existing perimeter conditions encountered during construction.
  • Identify possible obstacles during construction and how to design strategic solutions in advance.

Participants will earn 1.0 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the live webinar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register. 

About the Speaker

Scott  Bondi
Scott Bondi | Senior Principal

Scott Bondi has extensive experience in building enclosure design, specializing in building science and numerical analysis. Scott consults on both new construction and historic renovation projects, from conceptual design through construction administration, applying his specific expertise in curtain wall and custom glazing systems. In addition, he is experienced in providing forensic engineering services and expert witness support for both building enclosure and mechanical systems. Scott uses a variety of advanced tools, including computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis, to support his design and investigative work. Scott is an adjunct professor at The Cooper Union, where he has lectured and developed courses in finite element techniques, computational fluid dynamics, and solid mechanics since 2007.

Leonidia Garbis
Leonidia Garbis | Senior Project Manager

Leonidia Garbis specializes in designing and evaluating new and existing building enclosures. She has extensive experience designing and detailing custom curtain wall assemblies from design through construction administration. Her new design experience includes commercial projects, multifamily residential high-rises, and infrastructure projects. In addition, she has experience in enclosure forensic engineering, including investigating curtain wall and custom glazing systems. Leonidia’s background is in building science, including computer simulations of buildings and building components. She has experience with a variety of facade, roofing, and waterproofing systems. Leonidia actively participates in the Commercial Real Estate Women Network and the Association of Medical Facility Professionals. She co-leads SGH’s Glass and Glazing practice area.