About
As a building science consultant, I help design professionals, builders, contractors, and owners address and prevent failures in construction around the country, and help them to achieve their durability and performance goals, based on their local climate, site conditions, and project limitations.
My background is in architecture and more specifically custom home design. I received my Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Portland State University, and prior to that, I received an Associate's degree in applied science for residential architecture at PCC, which had a heavy focus on the construction side of things. After I started my business in 2017, I quickly realized the dire state of our construction industry. Relatively new buildings and homes are experiencing mold problems and moisture issues like rot, as well as poor indoor air quality. Recently renovated old buildings are also experiencing the same issues, and are quickly deteriorating. This isn't just a workmanship issue, it's primarily a design issue. So, I made it my mission to learn everything that I possibly could about why this was happening and how to prevent it in the first place.
As we continue to make our buildings more energy efficient, we have to acknowledge that this reduces the drying potential of our buildings. We can't build how we used to 100 years ago, or even 50 years ago. We construct our buildings with a lot more moisture-sensitive materials, we have substantially reduced the energy flow within our buildings, and we are designing buildings that place them at a significantly higher risk of potential failures.
Sharif Asiri | Owner + Designer
So, how can I help you prevent these failures?
Architectural Plan Reviews
I have a heavy focus on water and moisture management in my practice, as around 80% of construction litigation is water-related. If we can control bulk water that falls on our buildings and direct it away to dedicated discharge locations, we can eliminate the majority of our problems. This is closely followed by air leakage which can be a major driver for condensation, poor indoor air quality, and energy loss, as well as thermal performance to warm any surfaces that could support condensation. However, the devil is in the details, quite literally...
The development of detail drawings for construction is critical to the success of any project, and where design professionals tend to need the most assistance. As a building science consultant, I frequently review architectural plan sets, construction drawings, and specifications for architects and designers, as well as builders and contractors to identify problems early on before they get built.
Construction Detail Development & SPECIFICATIONS
I also develop construction detail drawings and specifications for more complex projects, such as buildings with flat roofs, leaky parapet walls, historic renovations and remodels, green roofs, and risky contemporary architecture features.
Please reach out to request a plan and spec review, get assistance in the design of the building envelope and the development of construction details, arrange an existing building assessment, or request generalized project consulting.
Education
In addition to consulting, I enjoy creating educational content through free weekly building science articles, YouTube videos, and social media posts. I believe that education is key to progress in our industry, and I look forward to sharing new ideas and insights with my audience, as well as learning from others. I have written several eBooks and I am currently in the process of developing several online video courses which will be available later in 2024.
Media & Content
Articles
Articles
These articles focus on the principles of building science, specifically water management, building envelope design, and construction details, and their impact on the longevity and durability of new and existing buildings.
YouTube
Articles
I create weekly building science videos on how to prevent and address building envelope failures in new and existing buildings. We discuss strategies for waterproofing, insulating various building assemblies, air sealing, and more.
Shop
Purchase my eBooks, CAD details, and other products that simplify and streamline the design and construction process, saving you valuable time and effort, and enabling you to complete your projects without the risk of future failures.
Check out my tri-weekly content on Instagram, where I share building science knowledge as well as some of the other projects that I'm working on, and engage with you in an open dialogue discussion about the various aspects of the industry.