Building Science Corporation

Building Science Corporation
Name	Building Science Corporation
Founded	1990s
Headquarters	Westford, Massachusetts
Industry	Architecture, Engineering, Consulting

Building Science Corporation Building Science Corporation is an American consulting firm known for applied research in high-performance building enclosure design, energy efficiency, and moisture control. The firm collaborates with architects, contractors, manufacturers, and institutions to translate building science research into practice for residential and commercial projects. Its work intersects with standards, codes, and professional practice across the building industry.

History

Building Science Corporation was established in the 1990s amid rising attention to energy policy and sustainable design, intersecting with movements such as Energy Star and programs by the U.S. Department of Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Early collaborations connected the firm to practitioners influenced by the work of figures associated with Passive House research and the ASHRAE community. The company grew through involvement in demonstration projects and technical consulting tied to initiatives like the Building America program and partnerships with regional laboratories such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Services and Specializations

The firm provides consulting services spanning enclosure design, hygrothermal analysis, retrofit strategies, and resilience planning, often informing compliance with codes and standards promulgated by International Code Council and ASHRAE. Services include building envelope diagnostics, forensic investigations for moisture and mold issues, and guidance for high-performance certifications such as LEED and Passive House. They employ simulation tools and testing methods used in projects associated with institutions like National Institute of Standards and Technology and collaborate with manufacturers participating in programs administered by Environmental Protection Agency and industry consortia like Insulation Manufacturers Association.

Notable Projects and Case Studies

The firm has contributed to numerous case studies involving residential retrofits, multifamily developments, and institutional buildings, often showcased in conferences such as Greenbuild and publications linked to Architectural Record and Journal of Building Physics. Projects have demonstrated airtightness and ventilation strategies coordinated with mechanical systems compliant with ASHRAE Standard 62.2 and have been cited in work related to storm resilience after events like Hurricane Sandy and regional initiatives in New England. Collaborations with design firms and contractors that have experience with Katerra-style prefabrication and manufacturers like CertainTeed and Owens Corning have produced applied research used in building science curricula at universities including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Research and Publications

Building Science Corporation produces technical papers, design guides, and hygrothermal research reports that have been referenced alongside scholarship from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and journals such as Building and Environment. Their publications address topics comparable to research by scholars at Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley on heat transfer and moisture dynamics. The firm has presented findings at professional gatherings of ASHRAE, American Institute of Architects, and International Energy Agency workshops, and contributed case studies to handbooks used in continuing education by institutions like Royal Institute of British Architects.

Industry Impact and Partnerships

The company has influenced practice through partnerships with code bodies and advocacy organizations including US Green Building Council and collaborations with utilities engaged in efficiency programs like Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Their guidance has been used in pilot programs administered by state energy offices and federal initiatives with agencies such as Department of Housing and Urban Development. Partnerships with materials manufacturers and test laboratories fostered cross-sector knowledge transfer involving entities like Underwriters Laboratories and regional research centers such as Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The firm operates with a team of building scientists, engineers, and technical staff who interact with professional bodies including ASHRAE and American Society of Civil Engineers. Leadership includes principals who have lectured at universities such as Harvard University and participated in standard-setting committees linked to the International Code Council. The organizational model blends consultancy practice with ongoing research collaborations involving national laboratories and academic partners.

Category:Building engineering companies Category:Energy efficiency