ABECN Nov Luncheon - Maximizing Insulation Through Envelope-First Design

Join us for our November luncheon at ABEC North! It is the perfect opportunity to learn, network, and enjoy good food! Welcome to the ABEC North November Luncheon! Join us for learning, a delicious meal and networking opportunity at the Highlands Golf Club. This in-person event is a great chance to connect with fellow professionals in the industry. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your network and enjoy a tasty lunch. We look forward to seeing you there! Maximizing Insulation Through Envelope-First Design: This month's luncheon will focus on how envelope-first design turns insulation targets into durable, lower-carbon building performance. This session connects effective R-value, thermal bridging, airtightness, moisture control, energy modelling, material carbon and field verification, helping architects right-size wall assemblies while balancing constructability, cost, resilience, and long-term value. This advanced session uses a concise technical lecture, comparative assembly examples and a field-informed case-study approach. The presenters will begin by establishing performance targets and explaining how early, iterative energy modelling identifies the highest-impact envelope measures. They will then compare nominal and effective R-values, all-exterior and split-insulation walls, and the effects of thermal bridging, air leakage, moisture and attachment systems. Material selection will be examined through Environmental Product Declarations and embodied-carbon comparisons, alongside constructability and durability considerations. The final section will connect design intent to execution through specifications, mock-ups, commissioning and site verification. Our presenters: Stephen Oberlin is an Architect and Senior Project Lead at Ironclad Developments Inc. With nearly a decade of experience across architecture and construction, he specializes in high-performance building enclosure design with an emphasis on durability and long-term value. Andrew Brassington is the Technical Sales Manager for Owens Corning in Western Canada, with over 20 years of experience in the building construction and manufacturing industry. He is known for practical, performance-driven guidance that helps project teams improve building envelope durability, manage risk at critical details, and deliver long-term value. Doors open at 11:30am, presentation starts at 12:00pm