LFG has a unique special expertise in its ability to investigate building envelope thermal and moisture behavior.  The combination of undergraduate education as a civil engineer and Masters degree in environmental engineering and professional licensure as a mechanical engineer, Ernest Conrad for over 30 years has developed a unique expertise of understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of heat and moisture movement through building perimeter envelopes.  Much of the experience has focused on historic and built building stock operating as museums with precision climate control mechanical systems.

Using a joint team approach with architects and structural engineers, selective thermal and moisture testing data findings from in-wall monitoring, thermal imaging, moisture meter testing, infrared surface measurement, weaknesses are pinpointed and practical solutions are developed which are effective and respectful of the Secretary of Interiors Standards for preservation.

Recent examples of historic buildings used as precision climate controlled museums include LFG’s façade analysis at the Cooper Hewitt museum as the building envelope consultant to the Smithsonian Institution.  Through visual probes and special monitoring of thermal and moisture behavior in the classic masonry cavity wall construction, the environmental limits of the historic building were determined and practical steps were developed that would prevent moisture condensation damage to the building and allow museum climate conditions for the exhibits.