Building on a strong foundation has been a well-recognized principle of construction for thousands of years, but we still continue to violate the concept. One of the most violated areas of below-grade construction is the failure to include moisture management. Joseph Cubby said, “Learn the past. Decide the present. Build the future.”
Over the next three years, builders and contractors will witness an unprecedented rise in energy-efficient construction. Energy efficiency advocates succeeded in tightening the 2009 and 2012 International Energy Conservation Code with an estimated 30 percent improvement between the 2006 and 2012 versions of the code.
The University of Pennsylvania’s advocacy of sustainable design extends from LEED ratings targets for all new building projects to collaborative efforts between the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services, the campus community and the City of Philadelphia.