Page 98 - Jan 2013

98 | Business World Magazine | January 2013
regulate temperatures, air filtration, lighting
and more, Smith says Altius offers the range
of technical and mechanical systems which
help supplement what the building is sup-
posed to do on it’s own, which again, harks
back to providing comfort and convenience
for those within the space.
Smith, however, reminds, “There’s a
good reason why materials like brick, wood
and stone have been used for thousands of
years, these are still the most efficient materi-
als we have.” The way these materials are ap-
plied is another matter. For instance, Smith
says Altius is more likely to use brick details
inside a house as opposed to on the outside.
He explains how brick helps moderate tem-
peratures and helps pull humidity from the
air. “So we make decisions not just based
on how something looks and its durability,
but also its ability to contribute to the entire
building envelope,” says Smith.
Fiber cement, terra cotta panels, stone
veneers with honeycomb fiberglass backing,
and an Encyclopedia Britannica-like list of
materials are explained by Smith as com-
fortably and knowledgeably as if he might
describe his closest friends and family. This
reflects the degree of understanding and ca-
pability Altius brings to the table.
Today, there are more than two dozen
professionals employed at Altius, which ex-
ists as a multidisciplinary service provider