r/buildingscience

5.8K archived posts · Mar 2015 – Sep 2026

Building Science - Designing Buildings For Human Occupancy

r/buildingscience

Collection of resources on building science. Topics can range from insulation strategies, mechanical designs, water waste reduction strategies, control layer strategies, example builds.

Created Aug 13, 2013

24KMembers (last snapshot)

5.8KArchived posts

Building Science

Building science is the collection of scientific knowledge and experience that focuses on the analysis and control of the physical phenomena affecting buildings and architecture. It traditionally includes the detailed analysis of building materials, building envelope, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, natural and electrical lighting, acoustic, indoor air quality, passive strategies, fire protection, and renewable energies in buildings.

General Rules

Don't expect free consulting. This is a field people get paid to work in and that work is valuable.
Don't ask us how to unlock your door because we will make fun of you
Do keep posts in the realm of building science and keep debate civil.
Promote innovation and don't dismiss ignorance. Sometimes your knowledge may be the keystone to assisting someone else's breakthrough.
Challenge opinions with verifiable facts and avoid anecdotes.
Talking about what your company does is fine, but don't self promote your services. It just looks bad.

General Resources

IECC Climate Zone Map
ASHRAE Climactic Design Conditions Tool
Building Science Corporation Papers & Articles
Building Science Concepts
Keeping The Heat In
Building America Solution Center
US Department of Energy Compliance Certification Database
Carbon Leadership Forum
Hammer & Hand Construction Best Practices Manual
RDH Blog
Positive Energy Blog
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
The Pretty Good House
AHRI Directory
Energy Vanguard Blog
The International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants

Relevant Building Standards & Design Frameworks

Passive House Institute US
Passive House Institute
AIA Framework for Design Excellence & Super Spreadsheet
Living Building Challenge
ICC 700 National Green Building Standard
Pretty Good House
AIA Framework For Design Excellence

Materials Libraries

Coming soon...

Softwares

Ekotrope (Web Based Resnet HERS Rating)
Effective R Value Calculator (Web Based)
Heating & Cooling Degree Days (Web Based)
Effective Thermal Resistance Tables (Web Based)
WUFI Passive
Interactive Psychrometric Chart (Web Based)
THERM

Related Subreddits

Architecture
Passive House
HVAC
Home Automation
Engineering
Construction
Science
Thermal Performance
Home Performance

Publications

Journal of Light Construction
National Institute of Building Sciences
Green Building Advisor
Building and Environment
Building Science Journal
Journal of Building Physics
Buildings
Builder Magazine (articles tagged "building science"
Architect Magazine (articles tagged "building science"

Books

Building Science for a Cold Climate, N. B. Hutcheon, Gustav O. Handegord
ASHRAE Handbook
CHBA Builders’ Manual
Residential Energy, Krigger
High Performance Enclosures, John Straube
The Passivhaus Handbook: A Practical Guide to Constructing and Refurbishing Buildings for Ultra-Low-Energy Performance, Janet Cotterell and Adam Dadeby
Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates, Joseph Lstiburek
Builder's Guide to Mixed-Humid Climates, Joseph Lstiburek
Builder's Guide to Hot-Dry & Mixed-Dry Climates, Joseph Lstiburek
Builder's Guide to Hot-Dry & Mixed-Dry Climates, Joseph Lstiburek
Builder's Guide to Cold Climates, Joseph Lstiburek
Buildings Don't Lie: Better Buildings by Understanding Basic Building Science, Henry Gifford
The New Carbon Architecture: Building to Cool the Climate, Bruce King
Thermally Active Surfaces in Architecture, Kiel Moe
Thermal Delight in Architectur, Lisa Heschong
H2NO: Mechanical Systems and Moisture Control, Andrew (Andy) Ask
Home Energy Ratings System Handbook

Meeting Groups

BS + Beer
The Building Science Philosophical Society

Podcasts & Other Media

The Building Science Podcast
The Building Performance Podcast
Unbuild It Podcast
Edifice Complex: The Property Design & Development Podcast
IAQ Radio
Belinda Carr

Relevant IG Accounts

@buildingsciencefightclub
@bldgscienceatx
@qualistat_building
@pioneerbuildersinc
@passivehouseaccelerator

Other communities

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