Client
Azad Architectural Millwork

Project Type
New construction

Project Info
Custom-Built Two-Story Wood and Concrete Detached House

Completion Date
2016

Challenge

This contemporary and unique building design incorporates a wide range of unconventional architectural features, some of which posed building envelope challenges for the design team. Among these challenges were the lack of a roof overhang, the use of exposed concrete for the walls and associated thermal bridging at transitions, differential movement between concrete walls and the roof wooden structure, and the associated complexities of achieving air barrier and waterproofing continuity at the roof-to-wall transition. These, in particular, demanded special attention to ensure the moisture and thermal performance of the building envelope are satisfactorily met.

How Did We Help?

When we were contacted by the architect about this project and were presented with the rendering of its design, it immediately became evident that this contemporary building would be an ideal candidate for an integrated design process, without which coming up with an optimum design that encompasses the requirements of all parties would not be effectively achieved.

To facilitate this process, HDB held collaborative design meetings in our interactive lab, in which our building envelope team, the owner, the builder, and the architect participated in exploring viable potential building envelope design options. This integrated design process, enhanced by the review of physical samples in our interactive lab, allowed the team to collectively come up with an optimum design that not only meets the building envelope requirements, but also is in line with the aesthetic intent and practical constructability considerations.