Join BEC for the lunch program, Not Your Average Toolbox: Instrumentation and Processes for Verifying Aesthetics and Performance of Architectural Finishes this February! When designing bespoke facades, the project team often has one shot to bring a unique concept to fruition. Creating a process to achieve both the Architect’s aesthetic vision and specified performance for exterior finishes requires material expertise, precision manufacturing, and tools for collecting measurable and comparative data. This presentation explores innovative methods used to verify material conformance across a variety of materials (metal, concrete, terracotta, glass, etc). Using real-world case studies, we will highlight the tools and processes created to evaluate and exterior materials during various phases of design and construction. Examples include accelerated freeze-thaw durability testing for architectural precast,spectrophotometry to assess color consistency in rainscreen cladding, and electron microscopy, gloss metering and profilometer readings to ensure a repeatable custom finish on stainless steel. The technologies and lessons learned shared in the presentation aim to empower designers, builders, and owners to move beyond subjective assessments to achieve reliable, data-driven results to ensure durability, aesthetics, and long-term performance. Attendees will gain insights into how the results of these case studies can be applied to solve design challenges, mitigate risks, and align with project goals while designing custom facades.

Continuing Education Credits: Pending

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand tools and methods used to measure aesthetic conformance and material performance of exterior finishes.

2. Learn how non-destructive test methods combined with accelerated freeze-thaw testing was used to ensure the durability of architectural concrete finishes.

3. Explore the use of petrography, spectrophotometry, gloss meters, and profilometers to verify/control color consistency and define acceptable variations in finish materials.

4. Discuss the lessons learned from real-life examples and how the results impact design and specification criteria (performance, delegated design, tolerances, etc.).

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