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Building Science Excellence

The intersection of advanced technology, architectural innovation, and scientific principles that elevates your living experience beyond the ordinary.

Why Building Science Matters

At Aureum Atelier, we believe that true luxury isn't just what you can see—it's what you experience every day through comfort, health, and efficiency. Our approach to building science transforms how your home performs, creating living environments that are as exceptional in their function as they are in their form.

The Science of Comfort

Modern luxury demands more than aesthetic beauty—it requires environments that respond intuitively to human needs. Our building science approach addresses the fundamental physics that govern how buildings interact with their environment and occupants.

Through precise control of temperature, humidity, air quality, and sound, we create homes that maintain perfect comfort conditions regardless of external weather extremes—whether it's a scorching summer day or the coldest winter night.

Thermal Imaging of Home
Thermal imaging reveals the superior performance of our building envelope systems

Performance Beyond Standards

Every Aureum Atelier home exceeds conventional building standards by significant margins. We measure success through quantifiable metrics that demonstrate how our homes outperform even the most stringent industry benchmarks.

0.6-2.5
ACH50
(Air Changes per Hour)

Industry average: 3.0-7.0 ACH50

R-23+
Wall Assembly
Thermal Value

Code minimum: R-13 to R-20

±2°F
Temperature
Consistency

Industry average: ±4-7°F

MERV 13+
Air Filtration
Standard

Standard homes: MERV 8

What These Numbers Mean For You

These aren't just technical specifications—they translate directly to your daily living experience:

The Four Controls of Building Science

All high-performance homes must manage four critical factors. At Aureum Atelier, we've perfected each of these controls through innovative design and meticulous implementation.

Water Control

Water is the most significant threat to building durability. Our comprehensive water management strategy includes:

  • Advanced drainage planes with redundant water barriers
  • Sophisticated flashing details at all penetrations and transitions
  • Ventilated rain screen systems that promote drainage and drying
  • Strategic material selection for appropriate climate response

These systems work together to direct water away from the building envelope, ensuring long-term protection against moisture damage, mold growth, and structural deterioration.

Water Management System
Advanced flashing details protect against water intrusion
Air Control

Controlling airflow is essential for energy efficiency, comfort, and protecting the building envelope. Our air control strategy includes:

  • Continuous air barrier systems meticulously detailed at all transitions
  • Rigorous air sealing at every penetration and junction
  • Blower door testing at multiple construction phases
  • Balanced ventilation systems for optimal air exchange

Our homes achieve air tightness levels that meet or exceed Passive House standards, resulting in exceptional energy performance and indoor air quality control.

Air Barrier System
Continuous air barrier installation with verified performance
Vapor Control

Managing water vapor movement is critical to preventing condensation and moisture damage within assemblies. Our vapor control strategy includes:

  • Climate-specific vapor control layer placement and permeance
  • Intelligent material selection based on hygrothermal modeling
  • Strategic temperature gradient management
  • Dynamic vapor control systems that adapt to seasonal changes

This approach prevents condensation within wall and roof assemblies, protecting the structure and insulation from moisture damage and ensuring longevity.

Vapor Control Layers
Vapor-intelligent assemblies prevent condensation risk
Thermal Control

Effective thermal control creates comfort, efficiency, and protects building assemblies. Our thermal control strategy includes:

  • Continuous insulation that minimizes thermal bridging
  • Strategic R-value optimization for each assembly
  • High-performance windows and doors with thermal breaks
  • Thermal bridge-free detailing at all transitions

Our thermal control systems not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to thermal comfort by eliminating cold surfaces and temperature stratification throughout the home.

Thermal Control System
Thermal imaging shows elimination of thermal bridging

Wall Assembly Options

We offer multiple high-performance wall assembly options, each designed to achieve specific performance goals while maintaining architectural flexibility.

Rock Wool Performance Assembly

Our standard wall assembly combines proven materials with exceptional implementation to deliver reliable performance:

  • 5/8" Interior Gypsum Board (R-0.56)
  • 2x6 Stud Wall with Rock Wool Batts (R-22)
  • Exterior Sheathing with Integrated WRB (R-0.62)
  • 3/4" Ventilated Rain Screen Cavity
  • Exterior Cladding of Choice

Total Assembly Value: ~R-23.18

This assembly offers excellent fire resistance, superior sound attenuation, and vapor-open performance that promotes drying in both directions—ideal for most climate zones.

1
2
3
4
1 Interior Gypsum Board
2 Rock Wool Insulation
3 Exterior Sheathing
4 Exterior Cladding

Hybrid Spray Foam + Rock Wool Assembly

Our hybrid assembly combines the best properties of closed-cell spray foam and mineral wool:

  • 5/8" Interior Gypsum Board (R-0.56)
  • 2x6 Stud Wall with:
  • - 3.5" Rock Wool (R-14)
  • - 2" Closed Cell Spray Foam (R-14)
  • Exterior Sheathing with Integrated WRB (R-0.62)
  • 3/4" Ventilated Rain Screen Cavity
  • Exterior Cladding of Choice

Total Assembly Value: ~R-29.18

This assembly delivers superior air sealing, integrated vapor control, and exceptional thermal performance while maintaining good sound attenuation properties.

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2
3
4
5
1 Interior Gypsum Board
2 Rock Wool Insulation
3 Closed Cell Spray Foam
4 Exterior Sheathing
5 Exterior Cladding

Premium Wall Assembly

Our premium assembly combines interior and exterior insulation for maximum performance:

  • 5/8" Interior Gypsum Board (R-0.56)
  • 2x6 Stud Wall with:
  • - 3.5" Rock Wool (R-14)
  • - 2" Closed Cell Spray Foam (R-14)
  • Exterior Sheathing with Integrated WRB (R-0.62)
  • 2" Continuous Exterior Insulation (R-8)
  • 3/4" Ventilated Rain Screen Cavity
  • Exterior Cladding of Choice

Total Assembly Value: ~R-37.18

This assembly represents the pinnacle of building science implementation, with thermal bridge mitigation, superior moisture management, and maximum thermal performance.

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2
3
4
5
6
7
1 Interior Gypsum Board
2 Rock Wool Insulation
3 Closed Cell Spray Foam
4 Exterior Sheathing
5 Exterior Insulation
6 Ventilated Rainscreen
7 Exterior Cladding

Performance Comparison

See how our homes compare to standard luxury construction across key performance metrics:

Performance Metric Standard Luxury Home Aureum Atelier Home
Air Tightness (ACH50) 3.0 - 7.0 0.6 - 2.5
Wall R-Value R-13 to R-19 R-23 to R-37
Air Filtration MERV 8 MERV 13-16
Fresh Air Exchange Building leakage only Balanced ERV/HRV
Temperature Consistency ±5-7°F between rooms ±1-2°F throughout
Energy Consumption Baseline 30-40% reduction
Sound Transmission Standard (STC 35-40) Enhanced (STC 45-55)

Verification & Testing

We don't just claim superior performance—we verify it at every step of construction:

  • Multiple blower door tests during construction
  • Thermal imaging at critical junctures
  • HVAC commissioning and flow balancing
  • Indoor air quality testing
  • Acoustical performance verification

Every Aureum Atelier home receives comprehensive performance documentation, giving you confidence that your home will perform as designed.

Blower Door Testing
Blower door testing verifies air barrier performance

Building Science FAQ

What does ACH50 mean and why is it important?

ACH50 stands for Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pascals pressure difference, measuring how many times the entire volume of air in a home is replaced in one hour under test conditions. This metric is the industry standard for measuring a home's air tightness.

Lower ACH50 values indicate a tighter building envelope, which means:

  • Less uncontrolled air leakage, resulting in better energy efficiency
  • Improved moisture control within wall assemblies
  • Enhanced comfort with fewer drafts and temperature variations
  • Better sound isolation from outside noise
  • Improved indoor air quality through controlled ventilation

Standard homes typically range from 3-7 ACH50, while our homes achieve 0.6-2.5 ACH50, approaching or meeting Passive House standards.

Won't such a tight house feel stuffy or have air quality issues?

This is a common misconception. In reality, a tightly sealed home with proper mechanical ventilation provides superior air quality compared to leaky homes.

All our homes include balanced ventilation systems (ERV or HRV) that continuously provide filtered fresh air while exhausting stale air. This approach offers several advantages:

  • Filtered fresh air removes pollutants, allergens, and particulates
  • Heat recovery maintains energy efficiency
  • Balanced airflow prevents pressure issues
  • Continuous operation ensures consistent air quality
  • Controlled humidity levels prevent mustiness

Our homes actually have significantly better air quality than conventional homes, where air enters unpredictably through random leaks in the building envelope, bringing in unfiltered outdoor air and potential moisture issues.

How do these building science principles affect maintenance and longevity?

Our building science-driven approach significantly extends the lifespan of your home while reducing maintenance requirements.

Conventional luxury homes often suffer from hidden moisture issues, premature material degradation, and system inefficiencies that lead to costly repairs. Our homes are designed to avoid these problems through:

  • Superior moisture management that prevents mold and rot
  • Proper temperature gradients that prevent condensation
  • Ventilated assemblies that promote drying
  • Reduced thermal stress on materials
  • Protected mechanical systems that operate within optimal ranges

The result is a home that maintains its structural integrity, finish quality, and system performance for decades longer than conventional construction. This translates to lower maintenance costs and preserved property value over time.

Is it worth investing in the premium wall assembly?

The decision between our standard, hybrid, and premium wall assemblies depends on several factors including climate, design requirements, and performance goals.

For many clients, the hybrid assembly represents an optimal balance of performance and value. However, the premium assembly offers significant advantages in certain scenarios:

  • Extreme climate conditions (hot or cold)
  • Homes with architectural features creating significant thermal bridges
  • Projects with the highest performance targets
  • Clients seeking maximum sound isolation
  • Designs with large glazing areas requiring thermal compensation

Our team can provide detailed energy modeling and performance projections to help you evaluate the return on investment for each assembly option based on your specific project requirements.

How do these building science features integrate with architectural design?

Our building science principles enhance rather than restrict architectural design. We believe that performance and aesthetics must work in harmony to create truly exceptional homes.

Our approach includes:

  • Early collaboration between architects and building science specialists
  • Performance-optimized details for architectural features
  • Thermal analysis of design elements
  • Custom solutions for unique design challenges
  • Material selections that balance performance and aesthetics

This integrated design process allows us to achieve your architectural vision while ensuring that every detail contributes to the home's overall performance. The result is a residence that appears conventional in its beauty but performs extraordinarily in its function.

The Aureum Atelier Building Science Advantage

For Homeowners

  • Exceptional comfort with no temperature variations
  • Dramatically reduced energy costs despite luxury size
  • Hospital-grade indoor air quality
  • Whisper-quiet interior environments
  • Higher resale value and market differentiation

For Architects

  • Technical support for performance-optimized details
  • Advanced thermal and hygrothermal modeling
  • Construction administration with quality verification
  • Collaborative approach to challenging design elements
  • Evidence-based performance documentation

Further Resources

We believe in educating our clients about building science principles that affect their investment:

Our transparent approach ensures you understand exactly how your home functions and the value of every performance feature we implement.

Ready to Experience the Difference?

Schedule a consultation to discuss how our building science approach can transform your vision for a luxury home into a reality that performs as beautifully as it looks.

Schedule a Consultation