Wagdy Anis 1941 – 2018

Wagdy died peacefully in his sleep, early in the morning of 10 March 2018. An internationally recognized architect specializing in the performance of the building enclosure. Wagdy was born in Alexandria, Egypt on 03 December, 1941. He studied architecture at Alexandria University, earning his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1965. Wagdy worked for several years with his father and brother designing and constructing buildings in Egypt. Their work at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria was a great source of pride for Wagdy, as it brought together his life's work with his lifelong faith and involvement in the church. Wagdy moved to the United States in 1967, where after a few months working elsewhere, he was hired by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott in Boston, beginning as a draftsman, and leaving the firm 39 years later as a Principal who led the firm's technical department. By this time he had established a reputation for his technical expertise in the design and detailing of exterior walls. In 2008 he joined Wiss Janney Elstner, where for 7 years he applied this expertise to buildings throughout Massachusetts and beyond, eventually leaving that firm to start his own consulting business.

 

Among his many accomplishments and awards, Wagdy was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2007 and received the 2013 Institute Honor Award from the National Institute of Building Sciences for his time spent working with the Building Enclosure Technology and Environmental Council (BETEC).   

 

It was during Wagdy’s time as BETEC Chair that he left us another one of legacy efforts, the Building Enclosure Councils which are now include 31 Chapters across the United States.  Wagdy was devoted to his family, friends and colleagues. He is survived by his partner Margaretha Eckhardt, his brother Wafik Anis, his sister Wedad Anis, Mona Anis the mother of his two sons, Sherif Anis and Joseph Anis and 5 grandchildren. 

 

Wagdy is commonly referred to as the "Godfather of Air Barriers" by the industry.  He worked diligently to have air barriers referenced into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and succeeded in their inclusion in 2001. This announcement was the culmination of work he had done through the Boston Society of Architects and the Board of Building Regulations and Standards.   Wagdy had worked with Mr. Tony Woods who was in the air barrier business and came to understand from Tony the benefits of air barriers in buildings and was one of the first architects in the United States to include the requirement of an air barrier in his project specifications and to specify the ABAA Site Quality Assurance Program. 

 

Wagdy participated in the formation of the Air Barrier Association of America, became a founding Director and after years of being a Director was given the title of Director Emeritus in recognition of his work with the Association.  Wagdy was a member of the Technical Committee where his expertise was greatly appreciated.  Wagdy never gave up in educating people on air barriers and worked tirelessly to have air barriers referenced in the International Codes, and ASHRAE standards.  Wagdy was responsible for the air barrier chapter of the Whole Building Design Guide which is housed on the BETEC website.   Wagdy also assisted the USACE with their current air barrier requirements, was a major contributor to NIBS Guideline: Enclosure Commissioning Process BECx, and worked with the current ASTM E06 - Building Enclosure Commissioning Groups.

 

Wagdy was one of the kindest, giving, and knowledgeable individuals we have ever had the privilege of meeting. His commitment to excellence in the building performance industry will go unmatched for generations to come.  Whenever he spoke, the room always went silent, everyone he ever spoke with learned something valuable. He was undoubtedly one of the most respected people we have ever had the privilege of working with. 

He will be missed...