About BSAO
The Building Science Association of Ontario, formerly known as Ontario Building Envelope Council (OBEC).
The Building Science Association of Ontario (BSAO) is an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the design, construction, and performance of building envelopes.
The association serves as a platform for industry professionals, including architects, engineers, contractors, and manufacturers, to collaborate and share knowledge related to building envelope issues such as energy efficiency, moisture control, and sustainable design.
BSAO organizes events, seminars, and workshops to provide education and resources to its members and the broader industry. The association also works to influence policies and standards related to building codes in Ontario, contributing to the advancement of best practices in the construction industry. In 1987 formerly named the Ontario Building Envelope Council (OBEC) was formed to bring together engineers, architects, manufacturers, and the research communities to address the challenges facing building performance and sustainability.
BSAO Vision
A highly educated industry that ensures consistent, high quality building enclosures.
BSAO Mission
We advocate for building science and provide quality education and forums for collaboration for members to network and increase their technical knowledge.
Values
The Building Science Association of Ontario (BSAO) promotes several core values that reflect its commitment to excellence in building envelope design and construction. While specific values may evolve over time, they generally include:
- Collaboration: Fostering a cooperative environment among industry professionals to share knowledge and expertise.
- Education: Providing ongoing learning opportunities to keep members updated on best practices, technologies, and industry standards.
- Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards in all interactions and activities within the organization and the broader construction community.
- Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to improve the performance and sustainability of building envelopes.
- Sustainability: Advocating for practices that enhance energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
- Quality: Striving for excellence in building envelope design and construction to ensure safety, durability, and performance.
These values help guide the organization's activities and initiatives, promoting a better understanding of the importance of effective building envelope design.
What We Do
Education
Some of the educational offerings by BSAO include:
- Workshops and Seminars: Regularly organized events focused on specific topics related to building science technologies, materials, and best practices.
- Technical Presentations: Sessions led by industry experts that cover current trends, innovations, and solutions in the building science field.
- Conferences: Events that bring together professionals to discuss relevant issues, share research, and network with peers in the industry.
- Publications and Resources: Access to technical papers, guidelines, and best practice documents that provide valuable information on building science design and construction.
- Networking Opportunities: Events that facilitate connections among members, allowing for the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
BSS Designation
- In collaboration with the Building Science Specialist Board the BSAO promotes the BSS designation to all industry stakeholders, ensuring those recognized with the designation meet the strict educational and practical requirements set forth by the Building Science Specialist Board. This designation has become the benchmark qualification of Building Science practitioners.
- The BSS designation provides members of the industry, including building designers, specifiers, developers, contractors, and owners, the confidence that any designation holder has a high level of education and understanding in the field of Building Science as deemed by the BSSB Board of Directors, composed of key industry figures.
