Vacek Residence

Title: Vacek Residence

Award Category: Building Enclosure

Project Address/Location

25049 Chisos Bend

Montgomery, Texas 77316
United States

Submitted By: Sam Vacek

Company Info

Vacek LLC

22898 Weser Drive

Porter, TX 77365
United States

8324527214

[email protected]

Project Description and Background: The owner is the client and consultant. The structure will be the pilot structure for Structural Ventilation of the Building Envelope. This system performs the following: Improve Indoor Air Quality Reduce Energy Consumption Minimize Moisture Contamination and Deterioration of the Building Envelope The system operates by supplying pre-conditioned outside air into a structure in lieu of ERV's or untreated outside air infiltrating through the building envelope. The supplied air flows through the building interior and is exhausted into the attic. The air from the attic is exhausted into the perimeter cavity walls and out through weep holes at the bases of the walls. The building envelope is constantly maintained in a dry condition. The structure is mold resistant. A benefit of the system is reduced energy requirements. Due to the conditioned airflow and "off the shelf" materials used, thermal conductance through the building envelope is reduced. U values are decreased by a factor of 3. The pilot structure is being designed for the following R values: Roofs - R-145 Walls - R-115 Windows - R-10

Scope: The owner is the client and consultant. The consultant is Chair of the Architectural Engineering Institute AEI Build Enclose Technical Community The consultant has performed over 20 years of research on this topic and holds the patents to the system. The consultant is responsible for the specification and design of the ventilation system that is a part of the building envelope. United States Patent and Trademark Office. 2007. United States Patent 7,247,090B2, System and Method for Inhibiting Moisture and Mold in an Outer Wall of a Structure, Sam S. Vacek United States Patent and Trademark Office. 2022. United States Patent 11,248,814B2, Systems and methods for controlling air properties in structures and inhibiting moisture accumulation and mold propagation in structures, Sam S. Vacek United States Patent and Trademark Office. 2024. United States Patent Pending, Systems and methods for controlling air properties in exterior and interior walls, Sam S. Vacek

Solution: The entire concept, document preparation, and execution of the documents to make a sustainable and mold resistant structure its unique. Ventilation of the building envelope with exhausted interior air dries the envelope and promotes long-term sustainability. The result is a state-of-the-art structure, using conventional materials and equipment, that maintains the health of the occupants. Ventilation of the building envelope with exhausted interior air minimizes the energy required to heat and cool the building. An approximate 33% reduction in energy is anticipated.

Value: The project could not be built without the consultant. The consultant has the knowledge. Unfortunately, no other IIBEC consultants are involved - ready access to other consultants withsimilar interests is not available.

Additional Info: https://www.hpbmagazine.org/an-introduction-to-structural-ventilation-of-the-building-envelope/ https://vacek.llc/structural-building-ventilation/ https://vacek.llc/vacek-engineering-blog/

Documents