Building Science Digest

The Pacific Northwest is facing a new generation of environmental challenges, and the way we design homes is changing with it. Host Stan Gatland sits down with Chrissi Antonopoulos, a Chief Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to discuss what residential resiliency looks like in one of North America's most demanding climates. From managing relentless moisture and preventing enclosur...

What does resiliency really mean in a hot and humid climate? In this episode of Building Science Digest, host Rémi Goulet sits down with Ryan Atlee to explore how homes perform under the unique demands of the Gulf Coast climate. Recorded in Houston, Texas, the conversation dives into the daily challenges that heat, humidity, and moisture create for residential buildings, and why traditional buildi...

In the Rocky Mountains, building resiliency means managing multiple climate risks at once. Homes must withstand wildfire exposure, extreme cold, heavy snow loads, and year‑round moisture challenges, often within the same structure. In this episode of Building Science Digest, host Galen Burrell sits down with Teran Foster, Director of Building Science and Innovation at Cornerstone Management Servic...

In the Southeast United States, residential resiliency isn’t only about preparing for extreme weather. It is about managing moisture, humidity, and system performance every day. In this episode of Building Science Digest, Stan Gatland is joined by Theresa A Weston, President at The Holt Weston Consultancy, to explore how homes in the Southeast perform under constant environmental stress. From high...

New England’s residential buildings are under increasing stress. Heavier rain events, wetter snow, rising temperatures, and an aging housing stock are exposing durability weaknesses that often go unnoticed. In most cases, water sits at the center of the problem. In this episode of Building Science Digest, host Lucas Hamilton is joined by Kohta Ueno of Building Science Corporation to examine how ra...

When it comes to building science, resilience starts below the surface. In this episode of Building Science Digest, Christian Kennedy sits down with Lisa Semling, Product and Innovation Manager for GCP, to explore what it really takes to design and protect a building’s foundation. From pre-applied vs. post-applied waterproofing to understanding geotechnical reports, hydrostatic pressure, and later...

In this episode of Building Science Digest, we chat with Dennis Wilson, VP, ESG & Managing Director, Circular Economy Solutions North America at Saint-Gobain North America, to unpack one of the most important shifts in sustainable construction: the move from a linear economy to a circular economy. Dennis explains what the circular economy really means, how it reduces waste, recirculates materi...

What makes a roof truly resilient? In this episode of Building Science Digest, we sit down with James White, Senior Product Manager for CertainTeed Residential Roofing, to break down everything you need to know about impact-resistant shingles—how they work, why they matter, and what’s driving their rapid rise across the country. From the science behind polymer-modified asphalt (SBS) and granule ad...

What does the future of offsite construction look like—and how can it transform the way we build? In this episode of Building Science Digest, Christian Kennedy and Dennis Michaud - Managing Director, Offsite Solutions - dive into the evolving world of offsite manufacturing and prefabrication. From speed and scale to labor challenges and the growing demand for efficiency, our guests break down the...

What exactly is a “cool roof,” and why are building codes and communities across the country paying so much attention to them? In this episode of Building Science Digest, host Christian Kennedy sits down with CertainTeed Product Manager for Low-Slope Roofing, Ted Winslow, to break down the science, benefits, and future of cool roof technology. Together, they explore: The fundamentals of heat trans...

Andrew Wickham, Senior Director of Solar Products at CertainTeed, joins Christian Kennedy to unpack the evolution of solar energy—from early inefficiencies to today's high-performance, cost-effective solutions. They explore rooftop and utility-scale solar, energy storage, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and emerging tech like solar shingles and agrivoltaics.

Ever walk into a restaurant, school, or office and feel overwhelmed by the noise? You're not alone—and there's a science behind it. This week's episode of Building Science Digest discusses what it takes to optimize sound and enhance comfort in all kinds of buildings. Listen in as Stan Gatland, Manager of Building Science & Comfort at Saint-Gobain North America, guides us through the fundamenta...

Galen Burrell, Building Science Strategist at Saint-Gobain North America, sits down with Christian Kennedy to discuss how thoughtful design and advanced technologies can shape healthier, more sustainable spaces for both people and the planet. The duo explores smart thermal control strategies like cool roofs and electrochromic windows, balancing views of daylight and heat control, and ways to reduc...

This episode features Dr. Ahoo Malekafzali, Building Science Manager at Saint-Gobain North America, as she explores the complex relationship between daylight, glare, views, and occupant well-being in buildings.  Discover practical insights and innovative strategies—from electrochromic glass to interior lighting and finishes—to help create more pleasing indoor environments. 

How can builders enhance fire safety and lower a building’s environmental footprint? In the latest episode of Building Science Digest, we sit down with Remi Goulet—a specialist in heat transfer with over 12 years at Saint-Gobain—to explore more sustainable, science-backed approaches to fire safety.  Remi highlights how a systems-thinking approach—evaluating entire assemblies rather than isolated p...

Stanley Gatland - Manager of Building Science & Comfort at Saint-Gobain North America - joins Christian Kennedy to discuss the role that building materials play in creating a healthy, comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Touching on active and passive solutions, the duo discusses everything from reducing allergens to a customer that called about "rain coming out of their soffits."

Lucas Hamilton - Manager, Applied Building Science at Saint-Gobain North America - joins Christian Kennedy to discuss mold and moisture management in the built environment. The topic is far reaching with the conversation centering around the interiors and exteriors of both residential and commercial buildings.