Building Science Symposium
Feb 16 | 9 AM - 5 PM ET
Back by popular demand, the Building Science Symposium returns as a pre-IBS 2026 event with fresh content and big ideas. This full-day experience, before the official start of the Builders' Show, is the only place you can dive deep into the science of high performance building with top high performance builders who are putting building science into practice every day.
From the moment you arrive until the day wraps up with a networking happy hour, it's an immersive day of learning, networking and connecting with suppliers who bring building science products and systems directly to you. It's more than a pre-show event, it's a conference within a conference, built around the building science topics that matter most to your business.
This is a pre-show event that requires a separate registration from your IBS registration.
Experience the only event that dives deep into building science — where learning, networking and innovation collide.
Host/Moderator
Travis Brungardt
Travis Brungardt is co-owner of Catalyst Construction in Prairie Village, Kansas specializing in building durable, responsible homes and additions throughout the Kansas City area. He is co-founder of the BS* and Beer building science discussion group in Kansas City and co-host of the BS* and Beer Show on Green Building Advisor where he hopes to help others learn in the same way so many others have helped him. Driven by a commitment to create a healthy, sustainably built environment for his children to raise their families, it is his belief that the mindset of the craftsman matters as much as any tool or material; that every builder should have a generations-long view of the work they do and the choices they make.
Presenter
Ben Bogie
Ben is a third-generation high performance builder. In the late 70’s his father and grandfather we’re local pioneers building some of the first super insulated homes in Connecticut. This early adoption set the stage for Ben’s upbringing in the business, building science concepts of thermal bridging and air leakage were part of the everyday workflow. He started full time work in the trades at age 16 and worked his way through the industry doing residential renovations, custom finish carpentry, high end residential millwork construction and installations throughout the northeast, historic preservation, and finally immersing himself in contemporary high-performance building. Running his own business, he gained a reputation as the person to turn to for difficult building questions, functional product recommendations, and exacting execution of complex details. A tireless learner, he is devoted to researching and understanding any aspect of construction and the building environment he can. This has led to his growing involvement with a broad range of industry media outlets and publications, live training events, and speaking engagements. His current work is centered on strictly high performance, low energy, high end residential new construction and major renovations. With more than 20 years of field experience he brings practical and attainable solutions to difficult cutting-edge projects, leveraging his hands on knowledge to make daunting details easy and understandable.
Presenter
Ross Trethewey
Ross Trethewey is the founder and lead engineer of TE2 Engineering, a firm renowned for its expertise in high-performance HVAC systems and building design, particularly within the high-end residential sector. With years of experience as a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states, Ross has a deep understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) disciplines. His career spans both the contractor and manufacturing sides of the business, giving him a unique, well-rounded perspective on designing complex systems for luxury homes, Hotel Villas and Data Centers. Ross has crafted innovative solutions for some of the most prestigious residential properties, ensuring that each home achieves optimal comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality (IAQ). A graduate of Tufts University, Ross holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. As the Building Engineer for This Old House and Ask This Old House, Ross brings his expertise to television, showcasing cutting-edge technology and sustainable solutions for high-end residential projects. He also frequently appears on Future House, introducing the latest advancements in home design and engineering.
Presenter
Jake Bruton
Jake Bruton is a custom home builder in Kansas City and Columbia Missouri. As the owner of Aarow Building for more than 15 years, Jake brings his education in art and architecture to energy-efficient, durable, and architecturally significant homes. Growing up in construction also positioned him for success in building having renovated or repaired nearly every mistake made in the industry. Jake is a contributor to the Build Show, co-host of the UnBuild It Podcast, contributing editor for the Journal of Light Construction, as well as a contributor to Fine Homebuilding. As a speaker he has presented at IBS, JLC Live, the Fine Homebuilding Summit, and the Midwest Building Science Symposium. Jake is currently raising a family with his wife in Columbia, Mo.
Presenter
Steve Baczek
Steven Baczek Architect is a nationally recognized architect in the design and development of custom residential structures. He is located in the Boston Massachusetts Metro Area. Whether the need is a new custom low energy Passive House (the most stringent set of building performance standards in the country), or a zero energy home, an addition or renovation to an existing home, or a complimentary carriage house, pool house, or outbuilding, the project receives the same level of professional inquiry, respect, and understanding. His design process extensively scrutinizes every aspect of the development of the project. He employs a process of clear, practical, informational leadership that is never short of an opinion, or sometimes brutal honesty. His ability to listen, and flexibility to then adapt to each client and their respective project places the services in high regard, and high desire.
See Building Science in Action
Get an in-depth look at the latest trends, materials and methods shaping the future of high performance home building at the Building Science Symposium, a pre-show event designed for forward-thinking professionals. Learn from leading experts, like Travis Brungardt, as they break down cutting-edge building science principles and share practical applications you can put to work. Then, take what you’ve learned to the Construction Performance Zone during the Builders’ Show to see these techniques and products in action through live, hands-on demonstrations and real-world applications.
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