Michael Anschel (@MichaelAnschel) recently sat down at Building Science Corp. Camp (artfully hashtagged #BSCamp on Twitter), and conducted a grape fancier's interview with building science guru Joe Lstiburek in a remarkably well insulated - and apparently stunningly hot - wine cellar. They were accompanied by @ijustinj (Justin Jones) and @greencurmudgeon (Carl Seville) along with other invitation-only BS campers.
A segment of the interview was filmed, and Anschel posted all of the questions and answers on Twitter. Which was great for those of us sucking up the news in real-time, but makes for awkward reading after the fact.
We wanted to share the interview more widely, and have posted here the results: an engaging and periodically insightful transcript (with a few edits) with the permission of Anschel, photos courtesy of ijustinj, and one big advantage: you can read from the top of the page down, and see the conversation in chronological order in a standard Q and A format.
Thanks to Anschel, Lstiburek, Carl Seville, and Justin Jones, here's the scuttlebutt on everything from the best snow to the future of fire retardant foam:
Anschel: This is a Twitter-view and that means that everything is live and nothing can be taken back. People have been twittering all day saying "I can't f#&ng believe it!", "Give us Joe uncensored!". Listiburek: That's fine. I have nothing to hide from my friends.
Anschel: People have been sending me questions, some that they have been afraid to ask in person. So here they are:
Anschel: Is it really all about energy? Lstiburek: NO!
Anschel: What is the next big frontier in building science? Lstiburek: Rediscovering what we already know.
Anschel: When will we see a noticeable number of production net zero homes? Lstiburek: Boutique technology not feasible. Rarely.
[As Joe pours wine he comments "The chief twit (me) gets a little wine."]
Anschel: What is wrong with white wine? Lstiburek: Nothing. Just fucking with people. (Anschel suspects a "Bruhahahaha" should follow that response)
[Joe likes Pouille Fuse.]
Anschel: Where do we really need research? Is there a giant stumbling block we have not discovered? Lstiburek: MEL'S eating away all energy improvements in last 20 years.
Anschel: Sorry I feel dumb along with 30 other sweaty people...what is MEL? Lstiburek: Miscellaneous Electrical Loads.
Anschel: Is it research or implementation that we need? Lstiburek: Implementation.
Anschel: How much of the problems we have in construction are really just about sales. Lstiburek: All of it. People get the buildings they deserve.
Anschel: When will you get your shit together and embrace LCA? (Life Cycle Assessment) Lstiburek: I have always been about LCA. Even Before there was LCA. LCA is what pussies call durability!
Anschel: How accurate is LCA? Lstiburek: It has never been about the tool it has always been about the craftsman.
Anschel: Sorry Joe. Gotta press and ask WTF? Lstiburek: The tool exceeds accuracy of boundary condition knowledge? If people don't get this they are fucking stupid. Twit off!
Anschel: So how about cradle to cradle? Lstiburek: See boundary condition answer.
Anschel: Is there such a thing as a green product? Lstiburek: Is there such a thing as a green product? See boundary condition. The answer is determined by the boundary condition!
Anschel: What is the best hands-on air sealing guide for residential? Lstiburek: John Kriegger for existing. Me [Lstiburek] for new.
Anschel: Have you seen the porous concrete demo from Carl? Peeing? Lstiburek: No.
Anschel: You have been unusually quiet on Energy Star. What is your opinion on 2011 and Yardstick? Lstiburek: Unbelievably good. Sam Rashkin is in a difficult position. Genius man. Needs support. Great marketing. Most don't get the difficulty (he faces).
[Joe points to small wine glass "that looks like the dems health care plan."]
Anschel: Define boundary conditions. Lstiburek: Parameter that establish range of analysis.
Anschel: What is your take on the DOE RFP for a competitive organization to RESNET? Lstiburek: Its good. Monopolies are bad!
Anschel: Are the energy people nuts? Lstiburek: Yes. And thank god for that. Only crazy people make change.
Anschel: Are the energy nuts worse than architects? Lstiburek: Architects are boundary conditions.
Anschel: Is the perfect wall still perfect? Lstiburek: Yes.
Anschel: Who has better snow, Utah or CO? Lstiburek: Utah has the best snow. Best mountains are in BC!
Anschel: Why didn't you use the Porche as the shuttle? Lstiburek: Couldn't shift gears!
Anschel: Why are the shingles failing so badly? Lstiburek: Bad shingles. Unvented roof.
Anschel: So unvented attic assemblies are bad? Lstiburek: No. Shingles are bad.
Anschel: There is rumor that flame retardant in foam products will be illegal in EU. What happens if it comes to US? Lstiburek: Not everything that comes from EU is good. Ban of DDT led to environmentalist genocide in Africa. Humans need to be exterminated.
Anschel: Last one. Joe, bullshit aside. What is your 10 year plan? Lstiburek: Acquire more red French first growth. Seriously.
Anschel: Any last words or nuggets of wisdom? Lstiburek: Be a gentleman.
Add comment