Consulting Engineer

Vitro glazing solutions transform Harvard's Gund Hall with major energy and comfort improvements. June 3, 2026 Harvard University's Graduate School of Design has completed a significant façade modernization of Gund Hall, leveraging advanced glazing technologies from Vitro Architectural Glass to dramatically improve thermal performance, occupant comfort, and daylight quality while preserving the building's iconic architectural identity. Originally designed in 1972, the concrete modernist landmark is known for its stepped studio terraces, expansive curtain walls, and clerestory glazing, but decades of operation exposed challenges related to air infiltration, water penetration, glare, and energy efficiency. The renovation team, led by Bruner / Cott Architects in collaboration with Lam Partners, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, A&A Window Products, and Shawmut Design & Construction, developed façade-specific glazing strategies tailored to the building's varying solar exposures. Rather than applying a uniform solution, performance targets were established for each elevation, balancing visible light transmittance, solar heat gain control, and visual clarity. A cornerstone of the project was the implementation of Vitro's VacuMax(TM) Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG) on the north and south elevations. To meet Massachusetts stretch energy code requirements demanding a façade U-value of 0.25, the design team sought an alternative to bulky triple glazing that would have altered the building's original appearance. The resulting hybrid VIG assembly delivered an overall system U-value of 0.19, while achieving an exceptional center-of-glass U-value of 0.06, approximately four times the thermal performance of conventional double glazing. The south elevation incorporates Solarban(R) R100 glass, Solargray(R) glass, Acuity(R) low-iron glass, warm-edge spacers, and argon-filled insulating units to reduce glare while maintaining accurate color rendering and achieving an interior solar heat gain coefficient of 0.21. On the north and east façades, Solarban(R) 90 Acuity(R) glass was selected to replicate the clarity of the original plate glass while minimizing unwanted color shifts and reducing solar heat gain. Across 15,475 square feet of newly glazed area replacing 1,617 original units, the upgraded enclosure is projected to reduce building energy use intensity by 22.2% and utility costs by 19.1%, while significantly enhancing daylight autonomy and studio comfort throughout Gund Hall. Published June 03, 2026 June 3, 2026

SGH expands building enclosure consulting presence in Atlanta. * 4 hrs ago Atlanta, GA, May 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is pleased to announce the strategic expansion of the firm's building enclosure consulting services in Atlanta, GA, and the Southeastern United States. Edward Bernard joins SGH as a Principal, bringing more than three decades of experience in the area as an architect, forensic building consultant, and organizational leader. He is joined in Atlanta by SGH Associate Principal Scott Tomlinson, a long-tenured building enclosure engineer with extensive experience leading complex enclosure and material-performance investigations, designing enclosure repairs, and consulting on new enclosures nationwide, with a particular focus across the East Coast. Based in SGH's office at 100 Galleria Parkway, Ed and Scott join SGH team members specializing in structural engineering and structural mechanics for buildings and infrastructure. Together, they expand the firm's longstanding experience, helping clients across the southeast solve complex building enclosure, waterproofing, facade, and performance challenges for existing and new buildings. "It's exciting to see our bench of experts expanding in Atlanta," said Niklas Vigener, SGH Chief Operating Officer. "Scott is a true client advocate in all the best ways, and he'll continue to bring the best of SGH to our partners there. And Ed is a champion in the industry with big ideas and deep roots in the southeast. I can't wait to see our continued success in the area." Edward A. Bernard, AIA Ed brings extensive experience in building enclosure consulting, forensic architecture, facility assessments, and remedial design to SGH's Atlanta office. Over the course of his career, he has led complex investigations and rehabilitation efforts for educational, health care, civic, commercial, and mission-critical facilities across the southeast while helping grow nationally recognized building enclosure and facility consulting practices. His expertise in building science, enclosure performance, capital planning, and adaptive reuse expands SGH's ability to support clients throughout the region with technically sophisticated consulting for both existing and new buildings. Beyond his technical practice, Ed has remained deeply involved in the architecture and building industry through professional leadership, mentorship, and education. He has served in leadership roles with AIA Atlanta and AIA Georgia, including terms as president of both organizations, and continues to support students and emerging professionals through workshops, presentations, scholarship initiatives, and industry mentorship. "I'm honored to join SGH and work alongside such an exceptional team of professionals," said Ed. "My career philosophy has always been that 'school's never out' - and SGH's culture of rigorous inquiry is exactly the environment where that philosophy thrives. The built environment demands both technical precision and creative problem-solving, and I'm excited to bring that perspective as we expand SGH's presence in Atlanta and support our clients across the southeast." Scott A. Tomlinson, P.E. Scott has been with SGH since 2001 and brings twenty-five years of experience investigating, designing, and constructing building enclosure systems. His expertise includes wall cladding, roofing, waterproofing, and fenestration systems of all types. He has special expertise leading complex enclosure and material-performance investigations, assessing existing enclosures, addressing construction and constructability issues, and developing and implementing remedial designs. Scott has led assessments for institutional, health care, commercial, residential, and high-rise facilities across the country, including numerous projects in and around Atlanta. He will maintain an active presence in Atlanta while continuing his practice in the northeast. Scott is an active contributor to the building enclosure industry through technical presentations and publications focused on roofing performance, waterproofing, fenestration, and durable enclosure detailing. Throughout his career at SGH, he has helped mentor younger engineers and building enclosure professionals while contributing to the firm's reputation for practical, technically rigorous consulting. "My first project in Atlanta was more than twenty years ago, and I've continued working in the area ever since," said Scott. "The region has always presented interesting and challenging building enclosure work, and I'm excited to continue strengthening SGH's relationships and technical presence here alongside Ed and the rest of the team." Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a national engineering firm committed to delivering holistic advice for its clients' most complex challenges. Mycarrollcountynews leverage its collective and diverse experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of structures and building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research to deliver unrivaled, comprehensive solutions that drive superior performance. With 800 employees in office locations throughout the United States, SGH's industry-leading teams constantly seek to advance the meaning of what's possible. For more information, please visit www.sgh.com. Contact Info Jeremy Landry +1 781-370-9514 Attachments

SGH announces promotion of Cheryl Saldanha to Associate Principal. Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) promoted Cheryl Saldanha to Associate Principal as part of the firm's 2026 class of senior promotions. "Cheryl is a real star at SGH. Within our walls and throughout the industry she is a trusted expert in building science, high-performance design, and energy efficient enclosures," said SGH Chief Operating Officer Niklas Vigener. "She is constantly contributing to efforts that make us better technical professionals and stewards of the environment. We are proud to recognize her dedication and leadership." Cheryl leads SGH's Building Science and Passive House practices. She specializes in high-performance building enclosure systems and helps project teams manage risks related to air, water, and moisture infiltration through design review, performance analysis, and field verification. She integrates thermal, hygrothermal, energy, and daylighting analysis to advance durable, efficient, and code-compliant building solutions. She served on the New York City Energy Code Technical Advisory Committee and is a board member of New York Passive House and a member of the AIANY Building Science Committee. In 2022, Building Design + Construction (BD+C) magazine named Cheryl to its 40 under 40 class. This promotion takes effect 18 April 2026.