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Buildings XVI Conference to Focus on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes

Buildings XVI Conference to Focus on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes
 
ATLANTA (November 6, 2025) — The Buildings XVI Conference, organized by ASHRAE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), will take place December 8–11, 2025 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
 
Held every three years, the Buildings Conference series is the leading international forum on building envelope science. At this year’s conference, attendees can expect an in-depth exploration of how building envelope design and performance directly influence energy efficiency, durability, indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort.
 
“Our technical program highlights advances in materials science, modeling techniques and construction practices that improve thermal resistance and moisture control while supporting decarbonization and resilience goals,” said André Desjarlais, conference chair. “We’re emphasizing a whole-building perspective, examining how envelope systems interact with mechanical, lighting and ventilation systems to deliver high-performance, low-energy buildings in all climates.”
 
The Buildings XVI Conference will feature three program tracks designed to balance fundamental research with real-world applications:
  • Principles – Cutting-edge research and development in thermal and moisture performance of building envelopes.
  • Practices – Case studies, field applications and innovative design strategies.
  • Residential Buildings – Practical insights and advancements improving performance and resilience in residential construction.
Some notable session titles are as follows:
  • “Assessing Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Performance Based on Resilience to Future Weather Conditions”
  • “Smartphone Application for Visualizing Building Air Leakage”
  • “Impact of High-Rise Buildings on Wind Driven Rain, Wind and Thermal Comfort”
  • “Scalable Thermal and Resilience Exterior Envelope Strategies for the Manufactured Housing Sector: Results from a year of simulated field testing”
Two keynote sessions will offer global perspectives on the past, present and future of building envelope science:
  • Sam Rashkin, Senior Researcher, Oak Ridge National Laboratory “Charting a Path to Scaling Deep Energy Retrofits and How This Impacts Building Science Research”
  • Angela Sasic Kalagasidis, Professor, Chalmers University of Technology “A 21-Year Retrospective and an Outlook on Hygrothermal Building Simulation Tools”
Pre-conference workshops will also be offered, providing attendees the opportunity for deeper engagement with emerging research, analytical tools and best practices.
 
In-person registration to attend the Buildings XVI Conference is $700 for ASHRAE members ($750 for non-members). Additional registration options are available.
 
For more information and to register for the Buildings XVI Conference, visit ashrae.org/BuildingsXVI.
 
 
About ASHRAE
 
ASHRAE is an international society of more than 50,000 heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning professionals from over 132 nations dedicated to serving humanity and promoting a sustainable world. 
 
Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is an industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE and its members are dedicated to promoting a healthy and sustainable built environment for all, through strategic partnerships with organizations in the HVAC&R community and across related industries.
 
The Society is showcasing integrated building solutions and sustainability in action through the opening of the ASHRAE Global Headquarters building in metro-Atlanta, Georgia.
 
For more information and to stay up-to-date on ASHRAE, visit ashrae.org and connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.