If all a building design had to do was solve for a single objective, that would be one thing.

But it doesn’t. Architects are asked to design for a panoply of swirling demands. Among them: aesthetics, durability, sustainability, wellness, resilience, affordability, constructability, life safety, acoustics, and moisture control.

To make matters, well, interesting, there’s never been more ways to achieve those ends. With so many material choices and possible combinations today, unintended consequences are sure to follow. So, how do you create architecture that stands the test of time and sets up your practice for years of uninterrupted commissions?

Practical Advantages

It’s a question Lucas Hamilton thinks about a lot. As the applied building sciences manager at CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain North America, Hamilton helps architects make smart material choices that deliver exemplary occupant comfort without sacrificing structural excellence.

“Twenty or 30 years ago, our industry struggled because we couldn’t provide architects, contractors, and builders the information they needed to properly weigh the consequences of material decisions,” explain Hamilton, a 25-year building science veteran. “That’s changed in recent years. Today we have plenty of precise measuring tools. We can quantify. We can help people make great decisions.”

This new level of understanding helps design professionals safely navigate a path between rapidly evolving material science and building science reality. For Hamilton, one big reality can be summed up in six words for any climate, “keep the skin cool and dry.” He also has five other tips for future-focused architects:

1. High Performance, not High Cost. “Because construction is so specific, climates are so unique, and the requirements so particular, solutions have to be custom crafted,” Hamilton says. “Especially over the last 10 years, those solutions no longer have the big upfront cost they once did. Many times, they’re cost neutral. High performance construction can show a demonstrable ROI that simplifies decision making.”

2. People are #1. Yes, of course they are. Yet, in the rush to meet a sustainability objective like net-zero, the prime directive—occupant comfort—can be diminished. “We create buildings for people,” reminds Hamilton. “Buildings need to succeed for people. The building triumphs if people thrive.” He cites airflow, acoustics, thermal comfort, and visual appeal as examples, which CertainTeed, a Saint-Gobain company, solves as a leading building products manufacturer.

3. Systems, not Products. Hamilton says it’s tempting to fixate on a building product versus the system it supports—say, an exterior wall component. “You really have to understand all the pieces and how they go together,” he cautions. Those systems will change based on the local climate, so a tailored approach is best.

4. No Accidental Air. The building must breathe. But it should be managed fresh air. Superior indoor air quality isn’t achieved with a negative fan drawing air from who-knows-where, Hamilton observes. Make-up air should be purposefully filtered and controlled.

5. Reach Out. Hamilton admits, building decisions today defy easy online research. No architect has the time for that. Rather, engage a trusted partner that is test- and measurement-focused. He singles out the Futurebuilt initiative from CertainTeed as an example of science and industry working together. “Web research only hints at partial answers. CertainTeed building science experts and technical service people regularly meet to discuss best practice and solutions. They help architects confidently pull it all together,” Hamilton says.

Learn more about how interconnected Futurebuilt building solutions from CertainTeed can support better outcomes on your next project.