Join us on Thursday at the firm office of COTE Chair Elizabeth Pacheco on May 14 for a group viewing and discussion on high-performance residential design and the principles behind the “Pretty Good House” approach.

Lift refreshments served!

Connect with like-minded, sustainability-focused architecture peers as we continue building a strong, future-thinking community right here at AIANS.

Emily Mottram will join us via Zoom following the viewing for a live Q&A!

Viewing Description (1LU)

Join Emily Mottram, known for her work on the "Pretty Good House" concept, for a session exploring the proper detailing and installation for air, water, and insulation layers within a building. Emily will demonstrate how to begin the design process with the specific climate zone, and then reverse engineer decisions from there. Participants will learn to identify risks associated with poorly executed detailing and explore strategies to enhance air quality and building durability through careful material selection and detailing control layers. By viewing the structure as a whole-building integrated system, this approach highlights a practical framework for designing custom residential homes that prioritizes occupant health, safety, and welfare.

Emily Mottram is a residential architect and building science educator known for creating high-performance homes that balance thoughtful design with long-term durability. As co-founder of Mottram & Maines, she takes an integrated, systems-based approach—ensuring that comfort, indoor air quality, energy performance, and budget remain aligned from concept through construction. Her work emphasizes calm, livable spaces shaped by light, flow, and proportion, supported by resilient building strategies.

In addition to her design practice, Emily is an active educator. She hosts the E3: Energy and Efficiency with Emily podcast, co-hosts BS + Beer*, and frequently speaks to both homeowners and industry professionals. Licensed in multiple states, she is driven by a commitment to making building science accessible—helping clients and peers better understand tradeoffs to create smarter, more comfortable homes.

Tickets

$0.00 AIANS Members - Regular, Associate & Allied

$10.00 AIA Members From Other Sections