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June 23, 2008

For information: Bob Miller 202 789 2800; 202-632-7124 (cell)

NIBS’ Council Launches Building Enclosure Conference

WASHINGTON, DC — The first in a new series of biennial, international conferences, BEST1: Building for Energy Efficiency and Durability at the Crossroads took place June 10-12, 2008, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

The three-day program explored 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. The program and access to the papers presented at the conference appear at www.thebestconference.org .

Topics included thermal performance of building enclosures, managing moisture in cladding, airflows and the building enclosure, commissioning, performance of the building enclosure, foundations, fenestration systems, indoor environment, interior rehabilitation, and healthy homes.

Oldcastle Glass was the primary conference sponsor; other sponsors included Sto Corporation, Glass Association of North America Viracon.   In addition 15other companies exhibited at the conference. Approximately 250 participants attended.

BEST (Building Enclosure Science and Technology) 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, other supporters included The American Institute of Architects, 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.  BEST2 is scheduled for the spring of 2010 in Portland, Oregon.

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.