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The energy crises of the 1970ies, the persisting moisture problems, the complaints about sick buildings, thermal, visual and olfactory discomfort, and the move towards more sustainability in building construction pushed Building Physics to the frontline of building innovation. Through the application of existing physical knowledge and the combination with information coming from other disciplines, the field helps to understand the physical performance of building parts, buildings and the built environment, and translates it into correct design and construction. The societal pressure to diminish energy consumption in buildings without degrading usability acted as a trigger that activated the whole notion of performance based design and construction.
The author gives a practical guide of the performance approach which helps consulting engineers, architects and contractors guaranteeing building quality. The two volumes are the result of 35 years of teaching architectural, building and civil engineers, coupled to 40 years of experience, research and consultancy.
About the author
Hugo S.L.C Hens is professor at the University of Louvain (C.U.Leuven), Belgium. After four year of activity as a structural engineer and site supervisor, he returned to the university to receive a PhD in Building Physics. He taught Building Physics from 1975 to 2003 and Performance Based Building Design from 1970 to 2005 and still teaches building services. Dr. Hens is the author of several text books in Dutch on Building Physics, Performance Based Building Design and Building Services. He has authored and co-authored over 150 articles and conference papers, wrote hundreds ofreports on building damage cases and their solution, introduced upgraded, research-based concepts for highly insulated roof and wall construction and directed several programs on building-energy related topics.For ten years he has been coordinator of the international working group CIB W40 on Heat and Mass Transfer in Buildings. At present he is operating agent of the International Energy Agency's EXCO on Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems, Annex 41 Whole Building Heat, Air and Moisture Response.
