Pushing the Envelope

Get ready for a masterclass in building science filled with hilarious anecdotes, blunt truths, and profound wisdom. In this episode, Matt Copeland sits down with the legendary Dr. Joe Lstiburek , a founding principal of Building Science Corporation and an icon in the industry. Dr. Joe shares his unconventional journey from aspiring aerospace engineer to a leading voice in building physics, a path...

Episode Summary Architects Michael Proscia and Jake Springer of Jones Architecture join Matt Copeland and Gert Guldentops of CopelandBEC to discuss practical impacts of the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code. They cover the code's primary goals, the challenges of implementing it for both new and existing buildings, and how it's shaping the future of building design and technology. Key Topic...

Summary In this conversation, Greta Bajrami , CEO and founder of Golden Group Roofing and Rootless shares her unique journey from hospitality to the roofing industry. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of building her brand, the importance of customer service, and her commitment to mentoring women in construction. Greta emphasizes the need for transparency and education in the industry, as...

Despite decades of knowledge, buildings continue to fail for many of the same predictable reasons . Why? In this episode, Matt Copeland sits down with world-renowned building science expert Dr. John Straube to explore why gaps in knowledge about high performance construction still remain—and how we can fix it. From air barriers vs. vapor barriers to the myth of industry-wide know-how, this convers...

When it comes to moisture control, what you don’t know can definitely hurt you—and your building. In a time of evolving building codes and increasingly complex facade systems, moisture management demands a sophisticated integration of building science and design. This presentation reveals essential strategies for creating resilient exterior wall assemblies by understanding the four barriers—water,...

Melissa Wenzel is the Built Environment Sustainability Administrator and has worked for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for over 2 decades. Her current focus is on creating system-wide change within the building material management system. Working with key stakeholders across the state, Melissa focuses on reuse of buildings and building materials, and works to prevent building materials fro...

In this bonus episode, CopelandBEC Principal and Atlanta Unit Manager Arjun Bir gives a crash course on low-slope commercial roofing including actionable tips for owners to reduce costs and prolong the lifespan of roofs.

On this episode, we’re joined by Patrick (Pat) Huelman for a thoughtful conversation on the evolving world of building science. We touch on everything from walleye fishing to the influence of AI in education, but the heart of the discussion is about the importance of foundational building science knowledge—and why it needs a stronger presence in architectural education. Pat highlights a critical p...

In this episode, hosts Matt Copeland and Chelsey Line are joined by roofing industry pioneer Heidi Ellsworth. With over 25 years of experience, Heidi shares her inspiring journey in roofing, her passion for empowering women, and her vision for a collaborative, innovative future. As a founder of National Women in Roofing (NWIR) and a partner at RoofersCoffeeShop, Heidi is dedicated to creating spac...

Join us as industry icon Samir Ibrahim shares standout moments from his 40-year journey at Carlisle Construction Materials. With his profound expertise, Samir offers fresh insights into roofing and waterproofing solutions, along with captivating stories from his early days in Egypt and major projects like the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. He analyzes in detail into the critical need to resolve design 'g...

In this episode, we explore the innovative world of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Infrared technology, and Artificial Intelligence. Our guests, Peter Brooks and Mike Cioffi from IR Analyzers, discuss how they dedicate their work to predicting and solving building envelope problems before they become destructive. By utilizing advanced technologies, they ensure structures maintain their integrity a...

In this episode Matt, Chelsey, and Andrew dive into the world of leadership. In this episode, our hosts share how they each define and face the challenges of guiding others, offering different perspectives that reflect their individual experiences and philosophies. From the essential characteristics that make a great leader, to the inherent powers of effective leadership. Discover how mentalities...

Join us in this episode as we explore how women are transforming the building envelope industry. We share our unique stories and diverse backgrounds, highlighting the innovative ways we’re shaping the future of engineering. Discover the inspiring journeys of women engineers and gain insights into our contributions to this traditionally male-dominated field. Whether you’re an experienced profession...

In this episode I walk through the building science fundamentals of controlling bulk air flow and water vapor diffusion using air barriers and vapor barriers. Check out copelandbec.com/podcast for the full show notes.

In this episode we dive into various aspects of unmanned aerial photography (aka "drone" photography) including the use of drones for infrared (IR) inspections and photogrammetry. Full show notes at: https://copelandbec.com/podcast/

Why do some roofs end up in the parking lot? Learn the answer to that question and much more in this this information-packed episode where I discuss the ins and outs of wind uplift design for low-slope roofing with Jennifer Keegan (LinkedIn), James R. Kirby (LinkedIn) and Benjamin Meyer (LinkedIn) of the GAF Building & Roofing Science team (LinkedIn). For more details and show notes: https://copel...

This is a great conversation with Adrian Lowenstein, PE, MBA, National Business Development Manager for Skyline Windows. Adrian has insights on how we can move towards higher performance and higher efficiency in our building stock. We discuss a couple of new local ordinances that seek to raise the bar for performance of buildings: the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) in B...

My guest in this inaugural episode is Ken Kiefer. Ken is the Director of SIGA North America's High-Performance Construction Academy and expert on high performance construction, especially related to air and water control in wall assemblies. We cover a variety of topics including Ken's work on a recent passive house project in Cambridge, MA, what contractors and designers are looking for from manuf...

Here's a quick intro to what I hope will be an interesting podcast for architects, engineers, contractors, building product manufacturers and anyone else interested in making better buildings.