INDUSTRY EXPERT Q&A:
BRIAN SHEDDEN
B
rian Shedden, BSS® is a principal for Entuitive who honours the origins and past of the building envelope industry, while also embracing all its new technologies and discoveries. Read on to learn more about his career highlights and goals.
How did you come to specialize in building envelope? BS: I first started my career in building materials back in 1980. I have always been drawn to things like insulation, siding, windows, doors, and roofing materials. Throughout my career, I’ve always been involved in what today we call building envelope. It wasn’t
How long have you been principal with Entuitive, and what does your firm offer that differs from other building science consultants?
described as such back then; not until the late 1980s did we come
BS: I have been a principal with Entuitive since 2016, but I’ve been with Entuitive since 2013. Our offerings include advanced performance analysis, and abilities to recreate buildings in a digital medium. We also provide sustainability and carbon reduction consulting, both of which are critical elements on the march to net zero. For existing buildings, we work on very focused aspects of the building envelope and address them holistically, rather than just where they seem to be having problems. For new construction, we bring the entire building science arsenal to bear as you only get one chance to build it right. We also creatively collaborate with all of the different team members, whether it be a building owner, architect, government, or municipality. We understand how those businesses operate so we can tailor our services to meet their requirements. Responsiveness is key; it’s not just when we can get around to it, it’s right now.
a critical part of understanding our carbon footprint and energy
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AN ABECN/ABECS PUBLICATION
up with the term ‘building envelope’. It’s really a business I’ve grown up in, and there’s so much to learn. It has become such consumption these days. I find it interesting, especially living in a cold climate country like Canada. I really think it’s a good idea to have a good parka, and that’s basically what the building envelope is. It separates the outdoor environment from the indoor environment so we can carry on with our lives. What advice do you give when you meet someone wanting to specialize in the field? BS: There are very limited post-secondary institutions in Canada that specialize in that field – Waterloo, Ryerson, George Brown, BCIT, and a little bit in Concordia. They’re a rare breed that come out of the engineering or architectural technology disciplines, so if they are interested, then we are interested in them. Anyone looking at getting into the building envelope business has a bright, bright future.
