Joe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng. – The Life & Times of the Dean of Building Science

Air Date: 8-13-2021|Episode 636

This week we welcome Joe Lstiburek, PhD, P. Eng. for a look back at his career and to get his thoughts on some current events. This will be a exclusive two part interview. Today, in Part 1, we’ll discuss his early days in construction up to current events including COVID-19, the Miami building collapse, Code updates and more. We’ll continue our discussion in Part 2 when we return live from our summer break on September 10th. That show will focus on his new book “Moisture Control for Residential Buildings”. Don’t miss this exclusive look at the Life and Times of the Dean of Building Science.

Joseph Lstiburek, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation and an ASHRAE Fellow. He is a building scientist who investigates building failures. Dr. Lstiburek received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a doctorate in Building Science Engineering from the University of Toronto. He has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 1982.

The Wall Street Journal referred to him as “the dean of North American building science.” Fast Company magazine called him “the Sherlock Holmes of construction”. He is internationally recognized and his work has influenced building codes and standards in every climate zone. He is a recipient of the Carl Cash Award from ASTM, a “Becky” from the Ontario Building Envelope Committee (OBEC) and the EEBA Legacy Award all for lifetime contributions to building science. He has also been inducted into the Building Performance Industry Hall of Fame and has received the NESEA Professional Leadership Award for “changing the way we think about building science and how we perform our work”.

Dr. Lstiburek is an acclaimed educator who has taught thousands of professionals over the past four decades and has written countless papers. He has a joy for telling tall tales to his protégés and audiences.



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