The Building Science Podcast — Positive Energy

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The Building Science Podcast

The Building Science Podcast

Posts by Positive Energy
Ventilation & Virus Transmission Prevention (And Other Topics Too)

How well do we understand the behavior of the novel coronavirus in our homes? What can we do to make our homes healthier? What is a CERV? These questions open the door to a rich exploration of the role of ventilation in healthy indoor environments. And you’ll be surprised to find how intimately connected ventilation is to a future powered by solar PV. Join Kristof as he interviews Ty Newell in a broad exploration of topics relevant to any building science aficionado.

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The Westford Summer Camp Blues

For the first time in its 24 year history, the Westford Symposium on Building Science was forced to take a hiatus by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (it would have began as of the release of this episode). If you’ve never heard of this conference, you’ve been missing out. It’s one of the most incredible hubs of building science knowledge exchange and community building in North America. Obviously, we were sad about missing it so we decided to ask the founders and hosts of the conference for an interview. Join us as Kristof interviews Joe Lstiburek and Betsy Petit about the history, meaning, and impact of “Building Science Summer Camp.”

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Obsessed With Humidity

The world’s climate is changing and so the way we think about design needs to change with it. But before we know what that looks like, let’s dig into the science and understand how it might change. And as we think about expanding humid climate zones in the era of climate change, what does the cutting edge dehumidification technology look like? You’re going to find out. Join us as Kristof interviews Pamela Cabrera about the expansion of humid climate zones in the future and the development of passive, membrane-based dehumidification.

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Positive EnergyComment
Constructal Law Meets Building Science - Flow Systems Are Everywhere

Have you ever wondered why the architectural Golden Mean has its characteristic ratio? Why do flow systems like lungs, lightning bolts, leaves, river deltas and well design duct systems have similar shapes? It’s not often that you get to have a discussion with someone who has uncovered a fundamental physical law of the universe, but that’s exactly what we got to do in this unmissable episode. The breadth of this law is staggering. Prepare to never see the world around you quite the same again. These ideas, once they sink in, change the way you'll experience traffic, airports, power lines, the news as well as the way you relate to how you design and build. In a very entertaining and fascinating departure from our usual discussion of building science, we dive deeply into the concepts underlying Contstructal Law with its discoverer, Professor Adrian Bejan of Duke University.

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Stewardship & The Future of Engineering

Engineers can fulfill a vital role in their communities through civic activism, proactive engagement in shaping public policy and leading in the civic realm. This segment of the Ideas Institute will explore the future of civic activism and leadership in the public realm for engineers. It is time for the engineering community to contribute to this re-examination in the spirit of technological and environmental stewardship. Increased leadership from the engineering community is needed to help society prepare for future crises. Join Kristof in an interview with members of the Engineering Change Lab USA as they explore the future of engineering.

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Passive House Accelerator

If you’ve never heard of the Passive House Accelerator, that all changes now. For too long, there has not been a centralized place to find information on all the Passive House resources and efforts. The Passive House Accelerator changes the game by aggregating the already fantastic content from other existing sites while also creating a new platform for people to share new ideas. Join Kristof as he interviews Zack Semke and Michael Ingui of Passive House Accelerator on all the great work they’re doing to build community in the building science field.

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Positive EnergyComment
A House Needs To Breathe... Or Does It?

Allison Bailes is writing a book! Allison also writes the popular Energy Vanguard Blog. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re in for a treat. With a PhD in physics and thousands of hours spent in attics and crawl spaces, Allison definitely knows a thing or two about houses. Join Kristof in a discussion with his old friend and colleague as they explore common myths about houses and talk about your next book purchase.

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Death Of The Suburbs: An Urban Manifesto

It’s time to fundamentally reevaluate the way we build - not just at the level of detailing, but at the scale of the city. What are the decisions we make about density and how do they affect our daily lives? Why do we orient our urban infrastructure around cars when they’re incredibly inefficient ways to move people around? Why can’t you get to 90% of your daily needs within a 15 minute walk? Join Kristof as he interviews Ruchi Modi of the architecture and urbanism firm, PAU on a range of topics exploring how urban environments (can and will) actually benefit the entire planet.

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Carbon Fluency

Architects and engineers have great power because they make decisions that influence resource and energy use in their buildings. With great power comes great responsibility and now is the time to become fluent in the language of embodied carbon. In this episode Kristof has a lively conversation with Z. Smith and Kelsey Wotila fromEskewDumezRipple on this and some adjacent topics.

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