B is for Building Science

—a field of knowledge that draws upon physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture, and the life sciences. Understanding the physical behavior of buildings as systems and how this impacts energy efficiency, durability, comfort and indoor air quality is essential to high-performance buildings. Building Science works with numerical models to apply empirical findings to the effective solution of design problems.
More specifically, contemporary building science is a broad discipline that is concerned with the full life cycle of buildings, including: policy (codes and standards); planning; design; construction; commissioning; facilities management; forensics and rehabilitation; restoration and retrofit; preservation and conservation; demolition (deconstruction) and recycling.
Innovation, in this context, is not a trial and error process that relies on gradually refining past precedents. Typically it presents a significant departure from normative practices and relies on the scientific method to advance an agenda. Modern Building Science is born of integration and innovation.

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