Course Overview
This course presents a thorough introduction to the physical relationships between buildings and their interior and exterior environments. Topics include the terminology used to describe building envelope materials and components, the scientific principles and practical applications of critical barriers, and building envelope subsystems such as foundations, walls, windows, and roofs, and how these systems each manage water and moisture, air and thermal control, and condensation.
Prerequisite(s)
- 50% in BLDG 2050
Credits
2.5
- 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
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
- Describe the field of building science and define building envelope.
- Identify the functions of the building envelope, and the assemblies that make up the building envelope of typical buildings.
- Describe the properties of materials that relate to their performance in building envelope assemblies (thermal conductance, vapour permeability, mass, rigidity, etc.)
- Describe the properties of indoor and outdoor environments, and key properties of air and water that relate to building envelope performance.
- Describe the key requirements for rain penetration, the driving forces, and strategies for controlling rain penetration through building envelopes.
- Discuss the history, codes, standards, regulatory bodies, and industry programs and liabilities governing building envelopes and their design, construction, and rehabilitation.
Effective as of Fall 2025
Related Programs
Introduction to Building Science (BLDG 2100) 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.