LifeWorks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strong and resilient families. Providing counseling, housing, education/workforce services and youth development, the organization’s important mission and growth required a new branch to serve as a home and foundation for its programs and services in Austin, Texas.
The three-story, 33,600-square-foot building is designed to reflect the organization’s mission and the spirit of the local community. Designed by Austin-based Miró Rivera Architects the building creatively transforms what could have been a typical institutional looking office building into an animated, welcoming and functional design.
The Challenge
As part of the integration of sustainability into all aspects of the building, the project required a permeable, breathable air barrier to protect against air infiltration and water ingress, while minimizing energy loss and ensuring the long-term durability of the building. Just as important was the need to work within a modest budget to achieve the building’s goals through innovative design and the smart use of materials.
The first step was to find a fully adhered breathable air barrier system that would come in at a lower cost than liquid applied barriers, while offering the same level of performance. “The thermal envelope was very important to our energy goals, so we wanted to use materials that would be long lasting and cost effective,” says Kenneth M. Jones, AIA, with Miró Rivera Architects. “With [Cambridge, Md.-based Grace Construction Products’] fully adhered membrane, we knew that we were providing a good, sound weather barrier envelope.”
While a traditional building wrap might have delivered from a lower cost standpoint, it frequently doesn’t work effectively as an air barrier in real-world applications as the required detailing is often lacking in the field. What’s more, a fully adhered system can protect the building more effectively than a traditional building wrap and therefore, it can improve the indoor air quality and inhibit mold growth.
“The Perm-A-Barrier VPS worked out really well,” says Kirby Baird, project manager with Austin-based SpawGlass, the general contractor. “Working with Grace, we were able to upgrade from the originally specified weather barrier and still stay within our budget. And Grace technical reps were very responsive and helpful all along the way. We routinely use the product on a lot of our jobs-it works well and has been great for us.”
The Solution
As a fully adhered vapor permeable air barrier membrane, Grace’s
Perm-A-Barrier VPS provided a lower cost alternative to using a fluid-applied air barrier. With the project’s tight budget, Perm-A-Barrier VPS not only provided a high-performance energy saving solution, but a money-saving one as well.
Once the building’s oriented strand board (OSB) substrate was primed, Perm-A-Barrier VPS was applied throughout the building’s first and third floor walls. It provided immediate airtight protection against the elements as soon as it was applied during construction. And since the membrane was self-adhered, there was no need for mechanical fasteners or spray equipment. Installation was fast and easy with its lightweight and controlled thickness.
The end result is a durable, energy-efficient protection for LifeWorks’ new branch. As the organization continues working to build strong and resilient families, they can rest assured knowing that they’re building on a solid foundation-a building constructed to provide savings and protection for the long term.
“We really like the Perm-A-Barrier VPS and the ease of installation,” says Patrick Halaszyn, project manager with the installer, Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, Austin. “It’s very user-friendly. With its controlled thickness, you know the coverage you’ll get. And the material is lightweight, so it’s not cumbersome to work with overhead or on a scaffold or boom lift. We’re recommending the product on some of our other jobs right now-and that says a lot.”
Throughout approximately 10,000 square feet of shotcrete foundation walls at the recreation center, the system’s components worked together to form a continuous and integral bond to the structure, to eliminate water migration between the membrane and shotcrete.
“Grace is very hands-on and their follow through in the field during installation is excellent,” says Jones. “We could be confident that the envelope would perform as designed, and that water infiltration, which can lead to issues of building material decomposition and mold, wouldn’t be a concern.”
When installed by trained and approved applicators as on this project, Preprufe SCS is designed to prevent water leaks, minimize the potential for water damage, and reduce the time and cost for any needed repairs on foundation walls caused by water damage.
“Grace’s reps came out and were very helpful with the installation of the product,” says Larry Taniguchi, the architect on the project from Cannon Design, Los Angeles. “We have a subfloor drainage system in place so we see water there when it rains, and we haven’t seen any evidence of water coming through the waterproofed walls.”
LifeWorks received a five-star sustainability rating from the Austin Energy Green Building program for its innovation and sustainable design, achieving 79.6 percent less energy use compared to a baseline case study.
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Pinar Guvenc is the global marketing manager, weather barriers at Grace Construction Products, Cambridge, Md. To learn more, visit www.graceconstruction.com.