Don’t Do Stupid Things

November 2023

Joe Lstiburek focused on failures related to materials, systems and assemblies that have lead to mold, rot, decay and corrosion in commercial and residential buildings. Joe covered the stack effect, over ventilation, under ventilation, poor water management, EIFS, stucco, negative air pressures, vapor barriers in the wrong place, green roofs, and COVID recommendations from the CDC.

Lstiburek, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation and an ASHRAE Fellow. He is a building scientist who investigates building failures. Dr. Lstiburek received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a doctorate in Building Science Engineering from the University of Toronto. He has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 1982.

The Wall Street Journal referred to him as “the dean of North American building science.” Fast Company magazine called him “the Sherlock Holmes of construction”. He is internationally recognized and his work has influenced building codes and standards in every climate zone.

He is a recipient of the Carl Cash Award from ASTM, a “Becky” from the Ontario Building Envelope Committee (OBEC) and the EEBA Legacy Award all for lifetime contributions to building science. He has also been inducted into the Building Performance Industry Hall of Fame and has received the NESEA Professional Leadership Award for “changing the way we think about building science and how we perform our work”.

Dr. Lstiburek is an acclaimed educator who has taught thousands of professionals over the past four decades and has written countless papers. He has a joy for telling tall tales to his proteges and audiences.