Keith Simon

Lecturer

An expert in building enclosure technology, Keith Simon addresses the critical and often unmet need for ensuring and improving building performance, resilience, and durability by guiding design teams, educating future architects, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchange. Keith is a Principal at Terracon and is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA).

He is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), Legacy LEED AP, and Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP) with over 20 years of experience in architectural design and building enclosure consultation. His experience includes peer review, design assistance, durability analysis, construction administration, testing, and forensics of building envelope issues, and he is the Building Enclosures Practice Lead for Terracon. Keith was the founder of the AIA Austin Building Enclosure Council (BEC: Austin) and currently serves as a board member for BEC: Austin and the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) Alliance Austin Chapter. He also serves as the Secretary for the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) executive committee.

Keith is a Terracon Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Hygrothermal Modeling and Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) and has been adjunct faculty at UTSOA since 2011 teaching Environmental Controls, Building Science, Construction Detailing, and Design Studio. 

EDUCATION

  • University of Oregon, Master of Architecture, 2004
  • Columbia University, Bachelor of Arts

PUBLICATIONS

Water Penetration and Air Leakage Testing of Flanged Commercial Windows
IIBEC Convention and Trade Show Proceedings, 2021.
Primary Author

The Leak Stops Here: Understanding the Methodology of Leak Detection for Roofing and Waterproofing Systems
IIBEC Convention and Trade Show Proceedings, 2021.
Contributing Author

Architectural Koyaanisqatsi: 10-Year, 100-Year, and 1000-Year Buildings
Proceedings of the 2019 North American Passive House Conference
Author

Water and Air Penetration Testing of Flanged Windows
ASTM STP1615 (Selected Technical Publications): Chapter in Whole Building Air Leakage: Testing and Building Performance Impacts.
Manuscript ID STP-2018-0028.R4
Primary Author

Adventures in Hygrothermal Modeling
Proceedings of the 2016 North American Passive House Conference
Presented in Philadelphia, September 22, 2017.
Author

Multifamily Forensics: Lessons Learned
Proceedings of the 2015 North American Passive House Conference
Presented in Chicago, September 20, 2015.
Primary Author

NFPA 285 Code Requirements: The Elephant in the Room
https://texasarchitects.org/v/blog-detail/NFPA-285-Code-Requirements-Th…
Published online at the Texas Society of Architects (TSA) website,
December 19, 2014
Author

Building Science School is Back in Class: Can you hear me? We’re talking about acoustics!
http://www.findeverythinghistoric.com/blog/feh-building-science-school-…
Published online, September 4, 2014.
Author

Invisible Architecture: Encouraging Design with All Senses in Mind
http://www.therussellconsultinggroup.com/blog/?p=240
Published online, September 12, 2013.
Author

SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panel Systems) Chapter in Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) http://www.wbdg.org/resources/sips.php
Established exploratory committee of volunteers from around the country that successfully advocated the NIBS/BETEC board to include SIPS (structurally insulated panel systems) in the WBDG. Led a committee of volunteers that researched and wrote the SIPS section of the Building Envelope Design Guide on the WBDG www.wbdg.org is the world’s largest online portal for building sciences.
Primary Author

The Role of Architecture in Latin-American Development: An El Salvador Case Study
Proceedings of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium 2013 ConferencePresented in Tempe, AZ, May 2003.
Author

photo of Keith Simon
AREAS OF INTEREST
  • Building Enclosures
  • Building Science
  • Sustainable Design
  • Environmental Controls
  • Detailing
  • Daylighting
COURSES TAUGHT

Environmental Controls

Construction V

Design Studio II

Design Studio ARC Design VI

More faculty

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Adam Pyrek

Lecturer

Charles L. Davis II

Associate Professor
Program Director for Architecture Ph.D.

Kory Bieg

Associate Professor
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs