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Share on LinkedinFrom metal worker to Director of Architecture Risinger Build to home remodeler, Chelsea is all about working on buildings. Instead of a working-man's Architect like our buddy Steve, Chelsea is the quintessential working-woman's Architect. And get this: Steve & Chelsea are about to team-up on a Risinger Build project!
Pete's Resources
GBA Retrofit Case Study: "How to Get the Eichler Look Without the Energy Price Tag" - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-get-the-eichler-look-without-the-energy-pricetag
Chelsea's IG: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea_scharbach/
GBA Cold Climate TimberFrame "Monopoly" House:
- Part 1 - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/a-timber-frame-house-for-a-cold-climate-part-1
- Part 2 - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/a-timber-frame-house-for-a-cold-climate-part-2
READY-FRAME (Precision Packages by Builder's First Source): https://www.bldr.com/ready-frame
John Straube's "Building Science for Building Enclosures:" - https://go.okstate.edu/undergraduate-academics/majors/architectural-engineering.html
Representative Architectural Engineering programs:
- University of Waterloo - https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/architectural-engineering
- Penn State - https://www.ae.psu.edu
Episodes
UnBuild It | Episode 128: Master Plumber Eric Aune Part III: Water Sources & Water Quality
Episode 128
Different water sources lead to different water quality issues. Eric walks us through: sources of tap water; testing water; appropriate water treatment systems responding to the testing results; and a new water frontier: PFAS in our tap water (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances). Yikes!
UnBuild It | Episode 125: Christine Williamson: From training building practitioners to teaching the next generation of architects
Episode 125
Jake spends time at Virginia Tech with Christine Williamson, a leading building professional who integrates building science and architecture. In her first year as an Assistant Professor of Architecture, Christine applies building science to architecture courses such as Environment and Building Systems I and II. In her own words about her new position, Christine says, "Architecture education is, I think, a lot closer to more of a fine art program than maybe a lot of people realize. That is something I would like to change."
UnBuild It | Episode 124: Q&A 2025 #1 - "Post-Frame" Buildings & Rim Joist Riddles
Episode 124
You say Post-Frame, I say Pole Barn or Barndominium...Yikes. The boys beat up on this topic when we move utility-grade agricultural weather-sheltering buildings (pole barns) to fully-conditioned homes. Aesthetic questions aside, there is solid building science to consider here. And speaking of building science, how do we insulate and air seal rim joists in a way that keeps them dry and durable? This topic takes us from spray foam and capillary breaks to ZIP-R and six-sided containment of interior air-permeable cavity insulation. Oh my. And once again, Steve manages to make us giggle with his closing wordplay.
UnBuild It | Episode 120: Santa-Fe Dehumidification Deva Nikki Krueger Round 2
Episode 120
Jake & Pete get schooled again on dehumidification by Nikki. Nikki introduces the acronym HVACD to make dehumidification in equal standing with heating, air conditioning and ventilation. Great discussion of the differences between portable ("big box") and whole house dehumidifiers. Importance of the change in measurement standards for DEHUs from "80/60" (80 degrees F & 60% RH) to "65/60" for portable units & "73/60" for whole house units (more real conditions). Jake closes out by calling dibs on "Dehumidifier Graveyard" as a rock band name...
UnBuild It | Episode 119: A Riff on Measure Twice, Cut Once...
Episode 119
Jake and Pete host good friend Matt Risinger (pretty sure he is “part” of the Build Show...). It starts simple with pre-drywall checklists (you know, like blocking for toilet paper holders...). But boy, it quickly blossoms into a wonderful, wandering discussion of everything from sequencing to quality control to a scopes of work program. Terrific list of resources comes out of this podcast!
UnBuild It | Episode 118: Special Guest Nikki Krueger of Santa Fe Dehumidifiers with her remarkably "dry" sense of humor...
Episode 118
Many of us in the building industry turn to Nikki for all questions dehumidification (certainly including this weeks hosts, Jake & Pete). Nikki goes toe to toe with HVAC techs with a degree in communications and that is because she understands that you have to go tech if you are representing technical products such as dehumidifiers. She connects indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and moisture management. Cool discussion of adding the "D" to HVAC: HVACD or HVAC+D. And apologies to all those expecting (forbearing?) Steve's closing humor...
UnBuild It | Episode 117: What Should Pre-Construction Look Like?
Episode 117
After the boys were done taking jabs at each other, they each take this question and apply it to their fields: building (Jake), designing (Steve), and enclosure review (Pete). Much of the discussion centers on cost and expectations that both building professionals and clients have or should set with each other. Another main theme is that pulling in expertise early in the design process may seem as though it is more costly but in the long run, better to spend a bit upfront and get key input during design rather than costly changes deeper into the build process. And interestingly, the conversation went from cost to trust as a key element of Pre-Construction.
UnBuild It | Episode 116: Special Guest, Daniel Glauser--Phius Core Revive Remodeler Extraordinaire
Episode 116
Daniel Glauser is the Executive Project Manager for Risinger Build in Austin TX. And he really puts his money where his mouth is. This episode focuses on his deep energy retrofit of a 1977 home in Austin TX, which will be certified per the Phius Core Revive program.