Kaz gives lectures on the subject of building enclosures. The lectures are continually developed and updated as the author remains active in the field and adds new stories or replace the old ones in constant pursuit to better clarify the subject. The lectures are elementary in nature but  intended as a discussion as opposed to a monologue to optimally address the average professional audience. 

Participants are encouraged to ask questions and explore their respective areas of interest even at the risk of a lecture wandering off the main topic.

The topics listed below are available immediately. Others may be custom prepared.

1. Principles of Facade Design is the oldest of the lectures. The lectures focus on areas typically overlooked by architects and engineers in the process of building envelope design. The topics are chosen on basis of observations derived from both forensic investigations of failed assemblies and peer reviews of architectural documentation. Primary façade design principles are classified and demonstrated with emphasis on a structural safety and a holistic approach. Read more.

2. Curtain walls presents curtain walls, their fundamental classification, and challenges and solutions associated with them. The structural role of curtain walls, fundamental classification of curtain walls, glazing types and their modes of failures are analyzed, relevant building code requirements, tests of curtain walls, and main sources of water leakage are discussed. Read more.

3. Thermal Engineering in Building Envelope Design describes the means and goals of energy engineering with respect to building envelopes: heat transfer and condensation risk assessment procedures and presents the basic thermodynamics concepts with special focus on the areas typically overlooked by architects. Read more.

4. Sloped glazing presents typical challenges and solutions associated with sloped glazing and skylights. Read more.

5. Hurricane Country, developed recently, presents non-obvious aspects of building enclosure design in hot and humid climates frequented by hurricanes. Requested most often by foreign architects planning to design in the Gulf region. Read more.

Press

The lecture at the BEST2 Conference. Link to the USGlass press release.

Testimonials
The lectures solicit great interest, as they let architects peek into the world of building science, long absent from the architectural curriculum, and seen through eyes of an independent expert.

It was quite scary. You suddenly realize how much there is to know (...)

John Preece, AIA, LEED-AP
President
90ten Architects

I have recently had the pleasure of attending one of Karol’s recent lectures on curtain walls and the thermodynamics of facades and I was impressed by the extent of his technical knowledge and experience.

Karol presents an unbiased, factual approach to facade systems based upon their actual engineering merits. Of particular value for architects is his explanation of the systematic design methodology, illustrated by “lessons learned” examples from his forensic practice.

As an architect, it is beneficial to hear from an independent consultant who has actually worked in the industry and to hear what the common enclosure issues/ problem areas are. (...)

Michael J. Ritus AIA

(...)Your experience with facade design, inspection of facade construction in progress, and forensic investigation offered a perspective on what to avoid. Your lecture was very informative and illustrated the kind of practical approaches to overcome typical design issues.

My colleagues also enjoyed the lecture as well due to the fact that you were able to convey your knowledge in a clear and understandable manner, with hints of humor which made the transfer of the highly-condensed technical information easier to understand.(...)

Matilde E. Reyes, AIA, LEED Accredited Professional
Associate/ Senior Architect
Corzo Castella Carballo Thompson Salman, P.A.

(...) I am delighted to recommend Karol. I had attended his lecture on curtain walls. When it comes to questions about façade engineering, energy conservation, curtain walls and sloped glazing, I recommend Karol’s expertise.

I liked the interactive mode in which the lecture was delivered, focusing and drifting in a direction of audience’s questions to optimally suit our needs. (...)

Victoria P. Sim, Registered Architect, MS in CM, NCARB, AIA, USGBC, LEED AP