National Medal of Honor Museum: Building Enclosure Challenges and Solutions

SPEAKER: Billy Jones

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas represents one of the most distinctive building enclosure projects completed in recent years. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects and opened in March 2025, the 102,000-square-foot museum is defined by a 200-foot by 200-foot exhibition hall that appears to float approximately 40 feet above the ground, supported by only five massive concrete megacolumns. While the architecture creates a powerful symbolic expression honoring Medal of Honor recipients, it also presented extraordinary building enclosure design and commissioning challenges.

This panelist discussion examines how the project team addressed the unique performance demands of an elevated structure in North Texas's mixed-humid climate. Topics include the design and commissioning of the museum's high-performance enclosure systems, with emphasis on air barrier continuity, water management, thermal performance, movement accommodation, and long-term durability. Particular attention will be given to the complex interfaces between the suspended structure, megacolumn penetrations, roof systems, curtain wall assemblies, metal panel cladding, and below-grade waterproofing.

The session will also highlight the Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) process performed throughout design, construction, and project closeout. Discussion will include performance mock-up testing, ASTM field testing for air and water infiltration, coordination of roofing and waterproofing systems, vapor control strategies, and quality assurance measures used to verify enclosure performance. Lessons learned from coordinating complex geometries, multiple trades, and prefabricated enclosure components during an accelerated construction schedule will be shared.

Attendees will gain practical insight into enclosure solutions applicable to museums, healthcare facilities, civic buildings, and other architecturally significant projects where long-term durability, resiliency, and performance are critical. The presentation emphasizes real-world commissioning experiences and best practices that can be applied to future high-performance building enclosure projects.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Identify the unique building enclosure challenges associated with elevated and architecturally complex structures, including continuity of the air, water, thermal, and vapor control layers.
• Evaluate how Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx), performance mock-up testing, and ASTM field testing contribute to achieving long-term enclosure performance and risk mitigation.
• Describe best practices for coordinating roofing, waterproofing, curtain wall, metal panel, and below-grade systems across complex building interfaces and multiple trades.
• Apply lessons learned from the National Medal of Honor Museum to improve enclosure detailing, commissioning, and quality assurance on future high-performance projects in mixed-humid climates.

SPEAKER BIO: 

Billy Jones is a Principal and Vice President at Curtainwall Design Consulting (CDC), where he leads the Roofing and Waterproofing Consulting practice for the Central U.S. and Latin America. With more than 15 years of building enclosure consulting experience, he specializes in roofing and waterproofing design, building enclosure commissioning (BECx), forensic investigations, quality assurance, and performance testing for complex projects. Billy has worked on healthcare, civic, higher education, hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use facilities, helping project teams deliver durable, high-performance building enclosure solutions. He is a frequent industry speaker on roofing, waterproofing, and building enclosure best practices. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-jones-49a94754/

Meeting Address: 200 Vine St E, Grapevine, TX 76051

Registration start time: 11:45 am

Presentation begins: 12:00 pm

Cost: $30 (chapter members) $40 (non-members)

Lunch Sponsor: Empire Roofing