Designing to Shed Water by Gordon Tully Water in all its forms constitutes the single greatest threat-excepting only the occupants-to the continued existence of a building. Buildings that refuse to get out of water's way do not stand for long. While corrective action can help control water problems, the best time to solve water problems is during a building's design. Good design works cooperatively with water, and lets it have its way. In this, the first of a pair of articles about water, the emphasis is on design; next month's article will concentrate on detailing. What water problems are we talking about? Here are some top contenders: • Wood changes its physical and chemical state depending upon how much water it contains; when
