BUILDING ENCLOSURE LABS INC.
A client-focused laboratory and consulting company bringing building and sustainability science and education to the industry
ABOUT US
THE BEGINNING
BELi (Building Enclosure Labs Inc) was founded in 2020 by Randy Van Straaten, an expert in the fields of building science and life cycle analysis. His vision was to provide specialized expertise and education about building and sustainability science to professionals in the industry. Of equal importance was centering the focus on client needs. He set up an office and labs on Wellington Street in London, ON and has been building an exceptional team.
OUR OFFICE/LABS
The main space at BELi is a large, open concept office with a row of desks, a standing desk that looks out to the street for Randy, a couple of couches (usually occupied by Emma, Teddy and Fox, the team’s dogs) and a whiteboard full of notes and colourful diagrams. Downstairs are the labs for testing building materials, workshops, and a webinar room.
Expertise
- Building performance and indoor air quality analysis and monitoring
- 1D and 2D WUFI hygrothermal modelling
- 2D and 3D thermal models and calculating thermal bridging impacts
- Laboratory testing of enclosure materials including: • hygric and thermal properties • compression testing • mortar composition
- Operating and embodied energy and carbon analysis using and developing spreadsheet-based tool
WORKING TOGETHER
In its first years, BELi worked on a number of local and international projects. Sometimes, masonry was sent to the lab for testing and analysis. Sometimes team members went on site for investigations and measurements. Sometimes building enclosure details were provided for review or to resolve complicated heat, air, and moisture control challenges.
Asalah, Peter, and Randy offered courses at colleges and universities, organized in-office trainings, and created webinars.
It all adds up to fulfilling the vision – a team of experts who want to spread their knowledge and support their clients by providing the best science and engineering practices to meet client needs.