Low-Carbon Envelopes: Insights from Moisture Data in Biogenic Material Walls

It is no longer sufficient to provide high-performance envelopes without considering their broader embodied impacts. Thankfully, data helps confirm the durability of enclosures using low-carbon and biogenic materials. This session examines two Western Massachusetts academic buildings that feature cellulose-filled, double-stud walls. We will compare over two years of envelope moisture data, analyzing the impact of detailing approaches and the inclusion or exclusion of "smart" vapor barriers.

Session Chair(s): 

Event Time: 

Friday, March 21, 2025 - 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Room / Location:
Harbor 1

CEU Information: 

Credit pending for AIA, BOC, BPI, GBCI, MA CSL, NAHB, NARI, PHI, Phius, and RESNET certification.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define objectives and priorities for developing enclosure design responding to durability, cost, and climate impact
  • Measure and compare exterior wall assemblies based on durability, cost, and climate impact
  • Describe the vapor movement within a double stud cellulose wall in climate zone 5
  • Identify tools for measuring the embodied carbon of a building, and of wall assemblies

Session ID: 

BOS25-245