Factors Contributing to Global Differences in Building Enclosures

A study has been undertaken to compare local considerations for the design and construction of building enclosures in different global markets. This ongoing study explores significant differences in building enclosures on mainstream, modern, low-to-mid-rise commercial buildings in four major global construction markets: Europe, Far East, Middle East, and North America. Experts with international experience were interviewed on what they perceived as differences in the various global markets and also completed a survey to develop a comprehensive list of weighted factors underlying observed global differences in building enclosures. Prominent factors that contribute to global differences in local considerations for the design and construction of building enclosures are presented to inform building enclosure professionals on local considerations when conducting building enclosure activities internationally. The four factors most commonly mentioned through the interviews were energy codes, climate, local capabilities, and energy. Included in this paper is how each factor was perceived to play a role in creating global differences in building enclosures.