Course Overview
Building on BLDG 3100, this second course in the progression presents an overview of the design of durable, healthy, and sustainable built enclosures. Based on the applications of fundamental best practice principles, the content is delivered through lectures, problems-solving sessions, and lab sessions. Topics include building envelope assemblies and details, boundary conditions for building envelope analysis, diagnostic techniques, energy performance, and regulatory requirements related to building environmental separation systems. Major activities include a design assignment and a research project that is presented to a panel of industry members. Students may also participate in one or more field trips.
Prerequisite(s)
- 50% in BLDG 3100
Credits
8.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify common material components of building envelope assemblies for walls, roofs, foundations, and windows while identifying their roles and functions.
- Understand the use of wood in construction as it relates to changes in moisture content attributing to dimensional changes at interface with building systems as well as common deterioration mechanisms.
- Analyze building envelope assemblies of material components into functional elements based on critical barrier concepts for control of thermal transfer, air leakage, vapour diffusion, and precipitation ingress.
- Design interface details between common types of building envelope assemblies for functional continuity.
- Analyse the one-dimensional, steady-state hygrothermal performance of building envelope assemblies.
- Incorporate window, wall, roof, and foundation assemblies into the design of a building envelope systems.
- Apply visual and other non-destructive techniques to assess building envelope performance and to diagnose deficiencies.
- Search for building science information from a variety of sources for accessory components inclusive of membranes, sealants, insulation, flashings, fasteners, etc. with a focus on material compatibilities.
- Determine compliance with regulatory requirements for aspects of building system performance.
- Evaluate the regulated energy efficiency and emission performance of a simple building envelope system.
- Account for characteristics of climate and human occupant behaviour in building envelope design.
Effective as of Fall 2025
Related Programs
Building Science 2 (BLDG 4100) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Architectural and Building Technology
Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.