The dynamic thermal interaction between a building and the HV AC systems which service it is still difficult to predict. As this thermal interaction becomes more critical in practice, related knowledge and evaluation tools become increasingly important. It is argued why these need to be based on an integral approach of the overall problem. A research project aimed at development and/or enhancement of building performance evaluation tools for this field of interest is outlined.

The paper describes the long-term monitoring of the hygrothermal performance of the building envelope of a heritage house located in Ottawa. The house, once the residence of two of Canada's Prime Ministers, now serves as a museum. To preserve the historical artifacts within the building, the specified temperature and relative humidity for the indoor air are 21°C and 35% to 50% respectively. As the house must also be preserved, there was concern about the effect of the high indoor relative humidity (moisture) on the durability of the building structure.

Political and economical changes that have been started in Poland since 1989 strongly influenced the building construction market. New owners or managers of institutional buildings have begun the process of retrofitting, focusing on: