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The roof is often treated as a technical necessity rather than a designed building element. Yet it plays a critical role in performance, resilience, energy efficiency, durability, and architectural expression.

This interdisciplinary panel will explore the roof as the building’s “fifth facade,” examining how low-slope membranes, standing seam metal roofing, vegetative systems, and hybrid assemblies influence the overall building envelope. Panelists including architects, consultants, BES experts, and manufacturers, will discuss the complexities of system selection, wind uplift, thermal movement, moisture control, drainage, code compliance, and long-term maintenance.

Through real-world examples and candid discussion, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how early collaboration and intentional detailing can reduce risk, improve constructability, and enhance building performance. This session will challenge participants to reconsider how the roof is designed, coordinated, and integrated into the architectural vision.

Learning objectives:

• Analyze the roof as a critical component of the building envelope that impacts performance, durability, and architectural expression.
• Compare performance considerations among low-slope, standing seam metal, vegetative, and hybrid roof assemblies.
• Evaluate key technical factors including wind uplift resistance, thermal movement, moisture management, and code compliance.
• Identify interdisciplinary coordination strategies that improve constructability, lifecycle performance, and risk mitigation.

Presented by: David S. Finley

David S. Finley is the Director of Building Envelope Sciences at The Garland Company, Inc. and Design Build Solutions Inc., with over 14 years of experience in building enclosure consulting and forensic investigation. His expertise includes building enclosure assessments, hygrothermal analysis, water intrusion investigations, and building code compliance. David has extensive experience evaluating curtain wall systems, masonry facades, and waterproofing assemblies, and regularly develops system details and specifications to improve building performance. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Architectural Engineering from Penn State University and is an active member of several ASHRAE technical committees.
 

Time: 6pm-8pm (6-7 presentation, 7-8 networking hour)
Food and beverages will be provided.