Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/549108
august 2015 | 23 Building Envelope photography courtesy bildtec building systems inc. Besides saving time and money, the exterior skins in a Kingspan barrier wall system contain a substantial amount of recycled content, and the panels themselves are recyclable. KarrierPanel is the first step on the path to net zero as this commercial wall system reduces a building's carbon footprint. Owners appreciate the reduced oper- ational costs for energy and maintenance. Kingspan's commercial wall systems, exterior wall systems and barrier wall systems last as long as the service life of a typical commercial building. They also meet or exceed various industry standards and building safety codes. These commercial wall systems feature a strong thermal performance with an R-value of 7.5 per inch, which is needed to form an optimal building envelope. The exterior wall systems serve as a moisture and air barrier, and provide the best thermal envelope while reducing thermal bridging. So, where does the building envelope sector go beyond 2015? If Bildtec Building Systems Inc. is any indication, the path is towards yet more innovation. Toronto-based Bildtec was established as a stra- tegic partnership alliance with Butech Building Technology S.A. of Spain, a division of Porcelanosa Group. Bildtec, whose ongoing and upcoming proj- ects include 02 Maisonettes on George in Toronto and Shenzhen Zhongzhou development in Shenzhen, China, specializes in a Ventilated Facade System (VFS), a multi-layered building envelope consisting of an outer layer mechanically connected to an inner layer (new or existing) through a substructure. A ventilated air gap of varying width is created between the layers, typically containing the thermal insulation in contact with the inner layer. Bildtec pan- els are installed using an invisible fixing clip system, attached directly onto the vertical support frame. In addition to desirable esthetics, VFS improves a building's energy efficiency by offering excellent resistance to atmospheric agents. The energy savings through the thermal conditioning of a building is esti- mated to be 20 to 30 per cent better than other conven- tional materials. Bildtec VP of operations David Scola says the build- ing envelope sector is growing "and expected to grow exponentially." A Shenzhen Zhongzhou development exterior; detail of Bildtec's Ventilated Facade System. Building Science Structural Engineering Structural Restoration Parking Facility Design Structural Glass & Façade Engineering Kettle on Burrard: Vancouver, BC Building Envelope and Structural Engineering University of British Columbia Asian Studies Library: Vancouver, BC Building Envelope Engineering New Oakville Hospital: Oakville, ON Building Envelope and Structural Engineering Rendering credit: designstor