Through a combination of presentations and panel discussions, the presenters will:
- Introduce the concept of airtightness, including airtightness testing of suites and buildings;
- Provide insight on technical and professional decision making;
- Highlight testing standards;
- Discuss airtightness as it relates to energy modelling and in-situ testing;
- Discuss professional responsibility and managing differences between test and model results; and
- Share technical and practical lessons learned.
Sherman Wai, P.Eng.
Passive House Consultant, RDH Building Science Inc.
Sherman supports the RDH energy team by providing his expertise in Passive House design and certification. His primary responsibilities include facilitating design teams from schematic design to design development to certification by building energy models in PHPP and optimizing junction details. Sherman also prepares thermal bridging models for building enclosure assemblies to meet Passive House standards using 2- and 3-dimensional heat transfer simulation software. In the field, Sherman conducts site reviews to ensure Passive House compliance, including thermal bypass review, airtightness testing, and ventilation system commissioning. Prior to joining RDH, Sherman was a Project Manager at a sustainable building consulting firm in Vancouver, BC. During this time, he managed Passive House design projects, conducted whole building airtightness testing, and prepared documentation for Passive House certification.
Jack Cui, P.Eng., LEED AP
Division Manager, JRS Engineering Ltd.
Jack is a senior energy modelling specialist and Division Manager. With his thorough and systematic understanding of energy-saving building designs Jack’s leadership of this division focuses primarily on energy modelling and sustainability services, along with other areas of energy related consulting. He will be JRS’ Team Leader and Professional of Record (POR). Jack has nearly 2-decades of experience working in high-performance green building design, building simulations, and energy assessment, this, combined with a solid theory in energy systems, makes him an experienced mechanical designer and building simulation expert.
Lucio Picciano, Architect AIBC, LEED AP, CPHP
Founder, DLP Architecture
Lucio is the founder of DLP Architecture, a Vancouver-based multi-disciplinary design studio with several areas of expertise, offering a broad range of services. Core values of his include great attention to detail, modern progressive thinking with great emphasis on energy efficiency and socially responsible design. Lucio achieved his professional degree in architecture from the University of Toronto in 1999. He also attended University of Alberta, UNAM, and University of Illinois for both architecture and fine arts. He has also sat on various committees including the Board of Variance in Ucluelet and as Chair of the Building Envelope Committee of the AIBC.
Christopher Black, P.Eng.
Senior Building Science Consultant, LDR Engineering Group
Christopher is a Senior Building Science Consultant. He has been involved in the building science industry for over 18 years. During that time he earned a Master of Applied Science degree in Civil Engineering, specializing in building science engineering, from the University of Waterloo. Since then, he has worked for 15 years in British Columbia, based in the Lower Mainland. He is a registrant of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, a Certified Passive House Designer, and an instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Christopher’s work experience has included a wide range of projects, including managing or contributing to new construction projects, rehabilitation projects for both targeted and complete rehabilitation, warranty reviews, depreciation reports, warranty and insurance claims, building enclosure condition assessments, forensic investigation, research, and both field and laboratory testing. Through this experience, he has diverse experience with various building enclosure elements such as roofing, waterproofing, cladding systems, and window systems.
Allison DenToom, P.Eng., P.E.
Practice Advisor, Engineers and Geoscientists BC
Allison is a Practice Advisor with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Allison is responsible for managing the development of professional practice guidelines and practice advisories for a variety of different areas of practice, providing practice advice services, as well as liaising with industry stakeholders and supporting a number of advisory and working groups for the development of professional practice guidance. Allison is a registered professional engineer with experience in the structural design of buildings. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering from McGill University. Prior to joining Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Allison worked as a project engineer designing a variety of buildings from high-end custom homes to recreation centres to mid-rise concrete towers. The majority of her experience is on the design and project management of custom high-end homes and estates.
