Pranoti Varpe, a master’s student in construction and facility engineering at UNC Charlotte, and Joshua Baran, a third-year structural civil engineering student at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, share their thoughts below on the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show.
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By Pranoti Varpe
Walking into the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, I wasn’t sure what to expect from my second IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show 2026. By the end of the week, I had found a deeper interest in building forensics and learned that every building has a story to tell. This experience went far beyond the classroom and gave me a clearer sense of direction in the building enclosure.
With a background in architecture and graduate studies in construction and facilities engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I have always been curious about how buildings perform over time. The technical sessions deepened this curiosity, especially in building enclosure design, performance challenges, and modern practices.
One of my key moments came during a session on building forensics. The speaker presented a real case where minor detailing issues led to significant long-term performance problems. Seeing how small construction oversights can result in major building failures reshaped my understanding of building performance. It highlighted how essential coordination and precision are in ensuring long-term durability.
What made this even more impactful was how directly it connected to my academic work. I could clearly see how architectural intent and construction execution must align for a building to perform well. The session helped bridge that gap for me in a very practical way.
Equally meaningful was the mentorship throughout the conference. Informal conversations on the trade show floor and between sessions offered some of the most practical insights, from real project challenges to lessons learned from past failures. One mentor shared that understanding why buildings fail is often more valuable than studying only successful outcomes, a perspective that stayed with me throughout the event.
This experience strengthened my interest in building enclosure systems and their role in sustainability and long-term performance. It also deepened my interest in building forensics as a field that brings together investigation, technical thinking, and real-world problem solving.
Having attended IIBEC conventions over the past two years, I am especially grateful to my wonderful hosts, Nick Tribble, Victor Martin, and our organizer, Rick Gardner, for their guidance and support throughout this journey. The opportunity to learn from leading professionals made each session inspiring.
As I move forward, I am excited to apply what I learned, continue building these professional connections, and grow within the industry. Experiences like this remind me that every building carries lessons, and every detail matters in shaping the built environment.
By Joshua Baran
I am a third-year structural civil engineering student at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. I am currently completing a 12-month co-op at the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory in London, Ontario.
Through my internship, I have developed an understanding of the importance of designing for wind effects on buildings, particularly in relation to cladding. Attending the IIBEC convention this past March as a first-time participant allowed me to draw strong connections between my work and the broader field of building enclosure. The convention deepened my appreciation for how critical the building enclosure is in ensuring durability, efficiency, and long-term performance.
One of the most memorable aspects of the convention was attending the technical presentation, particularly one focusing on the Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History. The project highlighted the challenges of installing large, geometrically complex granite panels onto the building’s exterior, which gave me valuable insight into real-world enclosure design and the various challenges associated with such a unique project.
Additionally, my mentor, Ken Leggett, RRC, REWC, RRO, was an incredible resource throughout the convention. His willingness to share his knowledge and experience exposed me to common roofing systems, materials, and industry practices. He emphasized that successful projects rely on strong collaboration between the contractor, consultant, and manufacturer to deliver optimal results.
Since the convention I have gained a genuine interest in the building enclosure field and am eager to continue learning more and eventually working in this field once I graduate next year. Thank you to the RCI Foundation Canada, IIBEC members, and donors for making this opportunity possible.
