#buildingscience

Taos, New Mexico has an elevation of 6,969 feet. In the high desert climate, the winter days average 36° F, while nights dip to 12° F.

When my then-boyfriend Eric and I camped in an airstream named Judd on New Year’s Eve 2019, we were shielded from the cold by the metal container and 3 space heaters which efficiently – a little too efficiently – warmed the RV’s two tiny rooms. 

The following morning, Eric and I pried ourselves from Judd’s warmth to brave the outdoors. Determined to embrace the “camping” concept, we wanted to start our day with a campfire.

A combination of wind, wet wood, and the cold made it difficult to start the fire. After 20 minutes of striking matches, lighting kindling, watching it smolder, and trying again, we had a fire big enough to huddle next to and cook s’mores for breakfast. 

Though Eric’s gloveless hands had essentially frozen into 2 blocks of ice in the process, his feet had stayed warm the entire time – all thanks to a common kitchen accessory.

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Prior to our trip to New Mexico, Eric’s dad passed along a piece of advice: 

“Wrap aluminum foil over your socks to keep your feet warm. Looks silly, works great.” 

His dad spoke confidently, swearing by this method to keep his own feet warm during hunting trips in snowy woods.

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I thought about this anecdote last week as I looked at the pools of water that had formed on my aluminum window sills.

Prior to living in this condo, the windows in every home I’d lived in were vinyl. Water pooling on top of the interior window sill was a new problem to me. I’d wondered why the windows were built this way; a little internet sleuthing helped me discover: Before it was condominiums atop a sports bar, my building was a furniture store.

Source: Vintage Norfolk

According to a presentation titled “Maintenance and Repair of Historic Aluminum Windows” from the National Park Service, aluminum window frames were a common building practice.

“[Aluminum] windows in buildings have been around since the 1930s… numerous landmark buildings in the 1930s and 1940s prominently featured them in their design… By the 1970s, they rivaled the dominant wood window industry, particularly in commercial and institutional construction. The historic significance of early aluminum windows is now being recognized and efforts are being taken to preserve and rehabilitate them.”

In what I assume was a move to preserve the building’s history, the condo developers maintained the original aluminum windows.

Source: Zillow

While beautiful – indeed, the metal-encased 7-foot windows & the light they let in were the first thing that attracted me to this condo – the windows proved to be leaky and poor insulators.

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I’m fortunate to have had the past week-and-a-half off from work. This means I’ve spent the past week-and-a-half searching the Internet for solutions to my wet window frames and other problems (and, as an aside, reading Solutions and Other Problems). 

My research began with one question: Why is aluminum an effective barrier against the cold, wet snow (as with Eric’s makeshift bootie), but a poor material for a barrier like window frames?

My research expanded to a single, enveloping curiosity: What makes a good building – and, in particular, a good home?

I’m starting this blog up again to document the things I’m learning about the science & psychology of buildings. As a reminder to myself that writing is doing is learning, I’m calling this series “A Building Mindset” – a play off of the phrase “a growth mindset.” 

Subjects like physics, engineering, and mathematics have always daunted me. However, coupled with my interests in interior design and user experience, I’m finding that the answers to the central question of “What makes a good building?” has made STEM subjects accessible and relevant.

When I’d encountered home-related problems in the past, I’d search for quick-fix solutions. As a result, I never truly understood the what of the problem, and thus, the why behind the solution. 

In documenting what I learn, I’m hoping to cement my learning, surface new curiosities, and share my newfound interests with others.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to share what I’ve been learning about:

Thermal mass v. insulation (RE: aluminum booties v. window frames)

Green building concepts like “passive house,” “pretty good house,” and “zero energy design”

Natural building materials like rammed earth, cob, and hempcrete

The bureaucracy of building – from finding land to build on, to building your home on it

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Till next time! 

– Janice

There’s something oddly comforting about watching rain hit a roof and knowing nothing inside is going to change. No damp smell creeping into corners, no peeling paint, no silent water stains slowly growing like old memories on a wall. But not everyone has had that experience.

In many older homes, especially the ones built a decade or two ago, waterproofing was almost like a yearly ritual. A coat here, a patch there, a quick fix before the next monsoon. It worked — but only for a while. Like putting a bandage on something that actually needed stitching. That’s where the difference between traditional chemical coatings and modern waterproofing systems quietly begins to show itself.

Traditional coatings were often treated like paint. You apply them, they form a thin protective layer, and for a short time, everything looks fine. But rain doesn’t care about appearances. It seeps through micro-cracks, temperature changes stretch surfaces, and over time the coating starts to lose its grip. It’s a bit like trying to keep water out of a basket using cling wrap — it helps briefly, but pressure always finds a way.

Modern waterproofing systems, on the other hand, feel more like building a raincoat for the structure itself rather than just painting it. They don’t just sit on the surface; they integrate with it. Membranes, polymer blends, and flexible bonding materials move with the building instead of resisting it. So when concrete expands in heat or contracts in cold, the system doesn’t break apart — it adjusts.

In conversations around construction practices today, especially in humid and rain-heavy regions, people often mention Waterproofing Solutions in Madurai as an example of how local climate has pushed innovation forward. It’s not just about stopping leaks anymore; it’s about anticipating how buildings behave over time, almost like learning their personality.

One interesting observation from site visits and small residential projects is how expectations have changed. Earlier, waterproofing was something people noticed only when it failed. Now, it’s part of the planning conversation itself. Even designers, including firms like Hari’s Designs, tend to look at moisture control not as a separate layer but as part of the building’s overall health — something that should quietly support everything else without drawing attention to itself.

The biggest difference, though, is durability under stress. Traditional chemical coatings tend to age like paint on a metal gate — sun, rain, and time slowly strip them away. Modern systems behave more like flexible skin. They stretch, breathe, and recover. That difference alone often decides whether a terrace stays clean for years or starts showing stains after a single season.

Another quiet evolution can be observed in the way problems develop. Old coatings usually fail suddenly and visibly — peeling, bubbling, or cracking. Modern systems degrade slowly and predictably, giving enough time for maintenance before actual damage occurs. It’s a quieter, more forgiving kind of engineering.

And in places where rainfall is intense and seasonal humidity is unforgiving, the importance of this evolution becomes clearer. That’s why discussions around Waterproofing Solutions in Madurai often go beyond construction circles and into everyday homeowners’ conversations. The emphasis gradually changes from repair to long-term strategy.

At its core, waterproofing is really about trust — trust that the walls around you will hold, that the ceiling above you won’t surprise you, that your space will stay consistent even when the weather isn’t. Modern systems just seem to carry that responsibility with a bit more patience and intelligence than the older chemical-only approach ever could.

And maybe that’s the real shift: from fighting water to understanding it.

Because buildings don’t just need protection — they need time to adapt.

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Sunrise to sunset, most of us are surrounded by one thing... and it’s not just work.

💡 It’s artificial light. And it’s everywhere — from overhead LEDs to hallway fixtures. Most buildings are lit with high-intensity blue-heavy LEDs that weren’t designed for human biology.

Here’s the reality: 📍 The average person now spends 90% of their time indoors 📍 Most of that time is under blue-saturated lighting

We think we’re just tired from the day. But for many, it’s the lighting doing the damage.

😵 Eye strain 😴 Midday fatigue 🌙 Poor sleep from disrupted circadian rhythms

At Illumipure, we believe lighting should energize you during the day and protect your sleep at night.

Our CleanWhite® LED removes the harsh blue spike most LEDs rely on — giving you clean, human-safe light that works with your body, not against it.

Modern buildings collect more environmental data than ever before.

CO₂ levels. Particulate matter. Humidity. Temperature. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

But collecting data is not the same as understanding it.

The real intelligence of advanced indoor air systems does not come from individual sensors operating alone. It comes from something called sensor fusion — the integration of multiple data streams into a unified environmental interpretation.

What Sensor Fusion Actually Means

Sensor fusion is the process of combining data from different sensors to create a more accurate and reliable picture of environmental conditions.

Instead of treating each measurement independently, the system evaluates how variables interact.

For example:

A rise in CO₂ might suggest increased occupancy.

A simultaneous increase in particulate matter may indicate movement or outdoor air intake.

A humidity spike could influence how particulates behave in the air.

Individually, these signals tell part of the story.

Together, they tell a system-level story.

Why Single-Sensor Systems Fall Short

A building that monitors only one variable — such as CO₂ — can misinterpret conditions.

A CO₂ spike might trigger increased ventilation, but without considering:

Outdoor air quality

Humidity balance

Energy efficiency constraints

Occupancy patterns

the response may be incomplete or inefficient.

Similarly, particulate sensors alone cannot determine whether contamination is internal, external, or related to system performance.

Sensor fusion reduces false positives and false assumptions.

It improves decision quality.

The Physics of Environmental Interactions

Indoor air variables are not independent.

Temperature influences relative humidity. Humidity affects particulate suspension. Airflow impacts contaminant distribution. Occupancy changes CO₂ and thermal load simultaneously.

Sensor fusion recognizes these dependencies.

Advanced systems use algorithms to correlate sensor readings and identify patterns rather than reacting to isolated spikes.

This shifts building operation from reactive to predictive.

Data Interpretation vs. Data Collection

Raw data is noisy.

Sensors can drift. External conditions fluctuate. Short-term variations may not represent true environmental changes.

Sensor fusion applies statistical models and filtering methods to:

Validate readings across multiple sensors

Eliminate outliers

Detect sustained trends rather than momentary anomalies

This layered interpretation increases reliability.

Instead of responding to every fluctuation, the system responds to meaningful change.

Real-Time Adaptation in Smart Buildings

When sensor fusion is integrated into HVAC control systems, buildings can adjust dynamically.

For example:

If CO₂ rises but outdoor particulate levels are high, the system may increase filtration before adjusting fresh air intake.

If humidity increases alongside temperature shifts, dehumidification strategies can activate without overcooling the space.

If occupancy drops suddenly, ventilation rates can adjust proportionally to maintain efficiency without sacrificing air quality.

These decisions require contextual awareness — something a single sensor cannot provide.

Reducing Sensory Load Through Environmental Stability

From a human perspective, the goal of sensor fusion is not visible complexity.

It is stability.

Consistent airflow. Balanced humidity. Predictable thermal comfort. Low contaminant variability.

When environmental variables remain within optimal ranges, the nervous system does not need to compensate for instability.

The environment feels steady rather than fluctuating.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Integrity

Sensor fusion also supports energy-conscious design.

Rather than operating systems at maximum capacity continuously, buildings respond proportionally to actual conditions.

This reduces:

Over-ventilation

Unnecessary cooling

Mechanical strain

while maintaining environmental health.

Precision reduces waste.

From Monitoring to Understanding

True smart buildings are not defined by how many sensors they contain.

They are defined by how intelligently those sensors work together.

Illumipure’s approach to indoor air systems reflects this principle. Continuous monitoring becomes meaningful when integrated, analyzed, and translated into adaptive environmental control.

Sensor fusion turns scattered measurements into environmental insight.

Most airflow problems in HVAC systems do not begin with visible dust.

They begin with something microscopic.

Biofilm.

Biofilm is not simply “dirt.” It is a structured community of microorganisms that attach to surfaces, produce protective layers, and grow in environments where moisture and nutrients are present. In HVAC systems — particularly around cooling coils — those conditions can exist more often than expected.

Understanding biofilm formation helps explain why airflow declines and indoor air quality shifts long before major system failures occur.

What Is Biofilm?

Biofilm is a complex aggregation of microorganisms — typically bacteria — embedded within a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). This matrix acts like a protective shield, allowing microbes to adhere to surfaces and resist environmental stress.

In HVAC systems, biofilm formation commonly occurs on:

Evaporator coils

Drain pans

Moist internal duct surfaces

These locations combine three essential elements:

Moisture from condensation

Airborne particulates that provide nutrients

Surface area for microbial attachment

Once initial attachment occurs, growth can accelerate.

The Stages of Biofilm Development

Biofilm formation is a structured process.

1. Initial Attachment Airborne microorganisms settle onto moist coil surfaces. Adhesion begins at a microscopic level.

2. Microcolony Formation Cells multiply and begin producing the extracellular matrix. This sticky layer traps additional particulates and moisture.

3. Maturation The biofilm thickens into a structured community with channels that allow nutrient flow and waste removal.

4. Dispersion Fragments or individual cells can detach and enter the airflow stream, potentially redistributing contaminants.

This cycle can repeat continuously if environmental conditions remain favorable.

Why Biofilm Restricts Airflow

Even thin layers of biofilm alter airflow dynamics.

Cooling coils are designed with narrow fin spacing to maximize heat exchange efficiency. When biofilm accumulates:

Air passages narrow

Surface roughness increases

Static pressure rises

Air velocity patterns shift

These changes reduce effective airflow without necessarily triggering immediate system alarms.

Restricted airflow forces HVAC systems to work harder to achieve temperature targets, increasing energy demand and mechanical strain.

Thermal Efficiency and Moisture Control

Biofilm also interferes with heat exchange.

Coils rely on clean metallic surfaces to transfer thermal energy efficiently. When coated with biological material and trapped debris, heat transfer performance declines.

This affects:

Cooling capacity

Dehumidification efficiency

Temperature stability

Reduced dehumidification can increase relative humidity levels, which in turn supports further microbial growth — reinforcing the cycle.

Airflow and moisture control are tightly connected.

Biofilm and Indoor Air Quality

While biofilm primarily forms within mechanical systems, its influence can extend into occupied spaces.

Potential impacts include:

Release of microbial fragments into supply air

Elevated particulate recirculation

Persistent odors

Increased system strain leading to inconsistent ventilation

It is important to note that biofilm presence does not automatically indicate hazardous exposure. However, unmanaged microbial accumulation increases system variability and can contribute to indoor air quality instability.

Why Biofilm Often Goes Undetected

Biofilm develops gradually and remains hidden inside mechanical components.

Occupants may notice only indirect effects:

Rooms feeling “stale”

Airflow inconsistencies

Rising humidity

Increased energy consumption

Without inspection or monitoring, the underlying cause may remain invisible.

This is why proactive maintenance and environmental data are essential in smart building management.

Monitoring and Prevention

Preventing biofilm formation involves controlling the conditions that allow it to develop:

Managing coil moisture and drainage

Maintaining regular cleaning schedules

Ensuring adequate filtration

Monitoring humidity and airflow performance

In advanced indoor environments, real-time air quality and humidity data can reveal early warning signs of coil-related performance shifts.

Rather than waiting for airflow to drop significantly, facility managers can identify patterns and intervene earlier.

The Hidden Link Between Microbiology and Mechanics

Biofilm formation is both a biological and mechanical issue.

It begins with microorganisms but ultimately affects system performance, airflow efficiency, and environmental stability.

HVAC systems are not isolated machines. They are active participants in indoor air ecosystems.

Illumipure’s approach to indoor environmental quality recognizes that air health depends not only on sensors and filtration, but also on the cleanliness and stability of the surfaces air repeatedly contacts.

When airflow pathways remain clean and thermally efficient, air quality becomes more predictable.