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The Building Science Podcast

The Building Science Podcast

Written by: Positive Energy
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The Building Science Podcast is a show hosted by MEP engineering firm Positive Energy principal Kristof Irwin. The show covers everything from the basics of building science to adjacent scientific disciplines to more fully understand how the built environment shapes our lives as human beings on planet earth.

Ecoscience, LLC, DBA Positive Energy Art Philosophy Physics Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Demystifying Decarbonization: Data Driven Design

    Demystifying Decarbonization: Data Driven Design
    Jun 18 2026
    In this episode, Kristof sits down with sustainability expert Josh Jacobs to demystify the ins and outs of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Product Category Rules (PCRs) and ISO Standards that are causing a decarbonization to happen around the world. Translating the complex data of an LCA into a standardized format, EPDs function as 'nutrition labels' for building materials, helping designers and specifiers count the 'carbon calories' of everything from steel girders to heat pumps. Josh and Kristof explore the critical shift from focusing exclusively upon operational carbon to including embodied carbon in the carbon reduction conversation, break down the cradle-to-grave phases of building materials, and offer actionable insights on using better data to make truly sustainable design decisions.Apologies that Kristof’s mic was clipping. Josh JacobsJosh has helped numerous AHJs develop and implement sustainable purchasing policies and requirements, including but not limited to: the US General Service Administration, the US Military through the UFGS, the State of California, the city of New York, the Building Construction Authority of Singapore, and numerous universities and private businesses. Josh has also helped develop influential materials, human health, product emissions, and indoor air quality criteria in numerous global codes and rating systems, including but not limited to LEED v4 and v4.1, Fitwel, Green Globes, CALGreen, IgCC, ASHRAE 189.1, and BREEAM. He also works with organizations investor relations and sustainability teams to understand ESG financial reporting tools such as SASB, GRI, and TCF along with looking at their carbon footprint.Links from the EpisodeOrganizations Mentioned:MEP2040: An organization and steering committee focused on decarbonizing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.WAP Sustainability Consulting: A large life cycle assessment organization that helps manufacturers create EPDs.SLR: A global environmental and advisory firm that owns WAP.USGBC: The U.S. Green Building Council, associated with the LEED rating system.ASHRAE: The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.ISO: The International Organization for Standardization.NSF: An organization with an EPD program (distinct from the National Science Foundation - originally focused on water certification).UL: Underwriters Laboratories, an early EPD program operator in North America.ICC-ES: The International Code Council Evaluation Service, an EPD program operator.ASTM: An organization that features an EPD program.ANSI: The American National Standards Institute.CIBSE: The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers based in the UK.NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders.Standards and Financial ToolsISO 14040 / ISO 14044: International standards that provide the framework and guidelines for conducting LCAs.ISO 14025: The standard that governs how program operators run EPD programs and dictates what should be included in an EPD.ISO 21930: The overarching Product Category Rule (PCR) for building materials typically used in the Americas.EN 15804: The European equivalent to ISO 21930.ISO 20400: The standard for Sustainable Procurement.ASHRAE 189.1: A standard for the design of high-performance green buildings.IgCC: The International Green Construction Code.CIBSE TM65 / North American CIBSE/ASHRAE TM65: A standard that approximates an LCA to provide directionally accurate information when a full EPD is not available.SASB, GRI, TCFD: Sustainable financial reporting tools used by organizations and investor relations teams.TeamHosted by Kristof IrwinEdited by Nico MignardiProduced by M. Walker
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Perspectives on Hydronics in the Real World

    Perspectives on Hydronics in the Real World
    Apr 25 2026

    An interview with Robert Bean and Lance MacNevin

    In this episode we unpack the rapidly transforming world of hydronic heating and cooling. We are joined by two seasoned veterans of the industry, Robert Bean and Lance MacNevin. With many decades of real-world experience and hard-earned perspective between them, they offer a thoughtful and engaging look into why hydronics is at the forefront of modern, highly efficient building practices. Robert is (attempting to be) a retired engineering technology professional and ASHRAE Fellow, while Lance brings his extensive background serving as the Director of Engineering at the Plastics Pipe Institute.

    This episode is packed with sound-bite worthy moments as our guests cut through the noise to discuss the realities of hydronic-based thermal comfort. Whether you are a homeowner, architect, or builder, you will find their independent, expert perspectives well worth listening to and holding on to. This is definitely an episode you will want to bookmark and share with anyone interested in the future of the HVAC industry!

    Robert Bean

    Robert Bean is a retired engineering technology professional who specialized in the design of indoor environments and high-performance building systems. Mr. Bean is an ASHRAE Fellow and ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, recipient of the Lou Flagg Award, Distinguished Service Award, and instructor for the ASHRAE Learning Institute. He has authored many papers, articles, and course curricula, and has served on numerous technical committees related to indoor environmental quality, building, and energy systems.

    Lance MacNevin

    Lance MacNevin, P.Eng. is the senior director of engineering for the Plastics Pipe Institute’s Building & Construction Division, with expertise on pressure pipes such as CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, and PP. Lance has been in the plastic pipe industry since 1993, working as an R&D engineer, codes and standards specialist, and trainer for a major piping manufacturer for over twenty years before joining PPI in 2015. In this role, he focuses on plumbing and mechanical systems, coordinating research, education, and advocacy activities. He is an active member of ASHRAE, ASPE, ASTM, AWWA, CSA, IAPMO, ICC, IGSHPA, NSF, and RPA.

    Team

    Hosted by Kristof Irwin

    Edited by Nico Mignardi

    Produced by M. Walker
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • (Un)Healthy Homes

    (Un)Healthy Homes
    Apr 8 2026

    An interview with Dr. Eva King

    Our homes are indoor environments of our own making. These environments exist to make our lives better but often unintentionally expose us to contaminants—chemical and microbial—that harm our health and wellbeing. For genetically susceptible individuals, these routine exposures can trigger a breakdown in the body's natural tolerance, leading to chronic inflammatory and neurological symptoms such as CIRS, TILT, and PANS/PANDAS. In a sadly apt metaphor, we are the canaries and our home is the coal mine.

    Today, we are joined by a frontline expert in this field, Dr. Eva King. Eva holds a Masters in Biochemistry and a Doctorate in Immunology/Epidemiology from the University of Oxford. She has dedicated more than two decades investigating the intersection of indoor environments and human health. Her focus is helping clients with underlying medical conditions identify and address building-related issues that contribute to their health problems. This interview is fuel for the journey to flip our indoor environments from being a major contributor to chronic disease to becoming a primary solution. This is a central and sobering topic for all of us with agency in the AEC. Please listen and share.

    Eva King

    Dr. Eva King, principal and founder of AURA EnviroScience, has been involved in investigations and research into indoor environments and health, allergens, asthma and immunology for about 20 years. Her work has been published in many peer-reviewed scientific publications, and she regularly presents at conferences and workshops.

    Her focus is helping clients with underlying medical conditions identify building-related problems that contribute to their health issues, often by direct physician referral.

    Dr. King received her Master in Biochemistry in her native Germany, and her Doctorate in Immunology/Epidemiology from the University of Oxford, UK, and is a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC, ACAC #180311).

    She is a member of ASHRAE, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), and previously served on the Board of Directors and as Technical Conference Chair of the Indoor Air Quality Association.

    Team

    Hosted by Kristof Irwin

    Edited by Nico Mignardi

    Produced by M. Walker
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
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