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February 19, 2008

For information: Bob Miller 202 789 2800 or 202 631 7124
rmiller@nibs.org

NIBS’ BETEC, Cosponsors Launch Building Enclosure Conferences

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first in a new series of biennial, international conferences, BEST 1: Building Enclosure Science and Technology will take place June 10-12, 2008, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

The three-day program explores related aspects of building enclosure performance:  Energy Efficiency in Buildings, including separate presentations on Fenestration; and Bugs Mold and Rot IV, continuing topics from earlier conferences on indoor air quality, moisture control, and building durability, especially walls, windows, and roofs. Updated program and registration information appears at www.thebestconference.org .

BEST 1 grows out of the nationwide Building Enclosure Council (BEC) network of regional knowledge and research chapters, a joint project of the Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).  With BEC-Minnesota and AIA Minnesota as hosts, three BETEC Research Coordinating Committees—BEC-National RCC, Heat Air and Moisture RCC, and Fenestration RCC—organized Best 1. Other supporters include the U.S. Department of Energy and the Oak Ridge National Laboratories.

Future conferences hosted by other BEC chapters will alternate with conferences of the Canadian National Building Enclosure Council (NBEC) to encourage collaboration between the two research and knowledge communities.

“This new conference program continues the vital mission of BETEC in a holistic way that recognizes today’s opportunities and focuses on today’s needs,” said David A. Harris, FAIA, NIBS president.  “We are in the early stages of both Building Information Modeling, and the High Performance Building Standards sponsored by Section 914 of the 2005 Energy Policy Act.  For the design of building enclosures, the system that endures more complex and varied stresses than perhaps any other part of today’s buildings, the combination of high performance standards and BIM holds great promise.”

Created as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to spur new technologies and processes through research and education, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is charged with helping to improve building construction and operation to benefit all Americans.