KENT STATE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Words: Bronzella ClevelandA system approach to the building enclosure is helping prepare the next generation of AEC professionals The College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University is preparing the next generation of AEC professionals studying architecture, construction management, interior design, landscaping and urban design. The 107,000 square-foot building houses design studios, building technology laboratories, a lecture hall, library, classrooms, café and is topped off with a green roof. While the stunning exterior is drawing attention in the design community, the building’s enclosure solutions are quietly addressing three key challenges: moisture mitigation, thermal performance and sustainability. To address each challenge, the enclosure team employed a system performance approach. As the name implies, a system approach evaluates how each element of the enclosure performs in conjunction with other elements. For example, insulation must be considered in terms of thermal and moisture performance, but also in context with how it functions with air/water barriers and limiting fire propagation in the enclosure. The design team selected the pre-engineered Owens Corning® Enclosure Solutions for the masonry steel stud wall assembly. Following is how each element supported key challenges. Challenge #1: Guarding Against Moisture Infiltration Regardless of the form it takes, moisture is a pervasive threat. The closed cell, moisture-resistant rigid nature of the Rigid Foam Insulation used as continuous insulation keeps steel stud framing warmer in cold condtions, and it is adequately permeable to regulate vapor migration, both of which reduces the likelihood of vapor condensation in the stud cavity. It also resists liquid moisture in masonry wall cavities thus guarding against damage caused by moisture accumulation. Challenge #2: Delivering Thermal Performance Kent Ohio’s Midwestern location is subject to humid summers and bone-chilling winters. Again, insulation plays an important role in minimizing the effects of thermal bridging. The insulation used delivers long-term stable insulating performance at R-5 per inch. Challenge #3: Delivering a Sustainable Solution Given that Kent State College of Architecture is educating future environmental design professionals, the materials selected for the enclosure had to support sustainability. With a minimum of 20 percent recycled content, FOAMULAR® 250 insulation helped the building attain a LEED® Platinum rating, the highest available under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® program. It’s All about the System: The exterior wall system included other products documented as a wall “system” to be code compliant and compatible. These additional components include Pos-I-Tie® masonry veneer anchors from Heckmann Building Products Inc., MortarNet® mortar dropping protection from Mortar Net Solutions™, and Grip-Deck™ continuous insulation anchors with Thermal-Grip® ci prong washers from Rodenhouse, Inc. and one of the dozens of water/air barriers that are pre-approved NFPA 285 compliant with Owens Corning® Enclosure Solutions. While the system approach was designed to support building performance, it also underscores another important lesson AEC professionals learn – time is money. The streamlined approach to selecting compatible and rated products provided an added layer of efficiency and value for the AEC team working on the project. With Owens Corning Enclosure Solutions, the design team gained time-saving access to specification guides, CAD and BIM drawing files and other necessary documentation required to demonstrate compliance. As students at the Kent State College of Architecture and Environmental Design prepare for careers in the AEC industry, their learning environment addresses challenges they will face in their careers.
Making Old Brickwork Look New Again
September 2026

Brickwork is built to last, but mortar isn’t. Over time, exposure to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and everyday wear causes joints to crack, crumble, and even recede. What starts as a cosmetic issue can quickly turn into a structural concern if left unadd

Mackenzie Claassen
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More
Why Joint Profiles Matter In Masonry Restoration
September 2026

For generations, masonry structures have been defined not only by the brick, block, or stone used in construction, but also by the mortar joints that tie everything together. Whether restoring a historic brick facade, repairing natural stone veneer, or re

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Joint Reinforcement Jointers Restoration
Read More
Designed for the Way Contractors Work Today
September 2026

Every piece of equipment tells a story about the challenges contractors face. For more than 30 years, the EZG Manufacturing team has listened to those stories—through customer relationships, job site visits, dealer feedback, a

Abigail Spung
Manufacturing Efficiency
Read More
Chemicals In Masonry
September 2026

Mason contractors must deal with chemicals on the job site. One of the main ones comes in the form of dust. Another is acid. From high-rise commercial structures to residential facades, masonry work involves handling raw materials that require careful man

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Safety
Read More