“For Rain is always prepared to do mischief, and wherever there is the least crack never fails to get in and do some hurt or other…”

Leon Alberti, 1485

John Straube, PEng

Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo

John Straube is an Associate Professor joint-appointed to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo. He researches and teaches building science, building materials, and engineering design with a focus on high-performance low-energy sustainable buildings. A registered professional engineer he is also a Principal at RDH Building Science Inc., where he leads forensic investigations, hygrothermal measurement and analysis research projects, and design projects in the areas of low energy building design, highly durable building enclosures, new building materials and systems, and extreme climate buildings Professor Straube authored “High Performance Enclosures” and co-authored “Building Science for Building Enclosures” with Eric Burnett. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC). Professor Straube is a member of the CSA A371 Masonry Construction Standards Committee, the CAN/ULC S741-08 Standard for Air Barrier Materials, the American Society of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) Canada among others.

Course Description

Rain Control in Façade Design is more than keeping water out—it’s about protecting the very integrity of our buildings. This course, built on the pioneering research of Dr. John Straube and enriched with practical UK case studies, reveals why managing rain is “Job Number 1” of every façade. From the cautionary tale of Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye to the hidden deflection channels and drainage strategies shaping today’s cladding systems, you’ll explore the science and the details that make the difference between a durable building and a costly failure. With interactive 3D models, real-world case studies, and rigorous multiple-choice tests, you’ll learn how to apply the Three Ds—Deflection, Drainage, and Drying—across precast, curtain wall, rainscreen, and insulated render systems. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, or contractor, this course equips you with the knowledge to design façades that don’t just look good, but stay watertight for decades.

Professor Straube has kindly allowed us to use his lectures on deflection and drainage that he recorded for his students at the University of Waterloo. We've expanded on these lectures with:

Interactive 3D details

are based on case studies from the Facade Intelligence platform. These models showcase how the concepts of deflection and drainage manifest in modern facade assemblies—including masonry veneers, insulated render systems, precast concrete, and curtain wall facades.

Multiple-choice tests

for this course were carefully selected from other courses offered by IAST and provide additional insights on the topic. We design our questions not just to test knowledge but to introduce new material—so don't skip them!

Third lecture

prepared by the Institute for Architectural Science and Technology In the third lecture, We'll guide you through how the rainwater management concepts, so clearly explained by Professor Straube are translated into Housing Warranty Providers' best practice details here in Britain. You might be surprised how globally relevant these details are for building envelopes.

Certificate

Successfully complete the multiple-choice tests following each lecture and you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, officially recognising your achievement. This course also qualifies for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours, helping you stay on track with your annual professional requirements.

Course Schedule

    1. Course Overview

    2. Course Objectives

    3. How to Navigate the Learning Materials

    4. Further Reading Recommendations

    5. Introduction Lesson by IAST

    6. Interactive 3D detail - Traditional Brick Masonry

    7. Test

    1. Part 1 by Dr. Jonh Straube

    2. Interactive 3D detail - Precast Concrete Facade

    3. Interactive 3D detail - Precast Concrete Panels Joint Drainage

    4. Test

    1. Part 2 by Dr. Jonh Straube

    2. Interactive 3D detail - Stick Curtain Wall Facade

    3. Interactive 3D detail - Unitised Curtain Wall Facade

    4. Test

    1. Practical Application Lesson by IAST

    2. Interactive 3D Detail - Insulated Render Facade

    3. Test

    1. Certificate: Download & Share

About this course

  • Free
  • Practice test questions
  • CPD Certificate: 6 hrs
  • Interactive 3D models

Course Highlights

  • Learn the core principles of rain penetration control through the Three Ds: Deflection, Drainage, and Drying.

  • Explore real-world case studies, from historic failures like Villa Savoye to modern UK façade systems.

  • Gain practical knowledge of detailing strategies across curtain wall, rainscreen, insulated render, and masonry facades.

  • Earn a Certificate of Completion and CPD hours to support your professional development.

The course is free and available to all

Join IAST and Professor Straube on this journey into water management in building envelopes

Collaborate With Us

We believe the most effective way to raise industry standards is through collaboration. If you are a practicing specialist with expertise in a particular area of façade engineering, or an academic interested in sharing knowledge with a wider audience, we welcome the opportunity to co-develop high-quality short courses and CPD content. Email us on [email protected] or use the contact button below to start the conversation.
Let’s Collaborate