That's really the problem I have had. I haven't really been able to find anyone who is really well versed in the science of enclosure systems. It's been fairly frustrating, and has necessitated a lot of research on my part to try to educate myself.

Most architects,engineers, etc. that I have tried talking to just don't seem to be that educated on anything but out the box approaches. I should keep on looking though.

I think I can effectively seal the joint between the timber and the panel. If I use a PVC weatherstripping in the grooves cut in the frame for the panels to inset. The PVC has a high rate of repeated compression recovery. If I use a 3/4" thick gasket and initially compress it, the timber could shrink and move quite a bit without losing the seal. The PVC is a closed cell weatherstripping, I could also use an open cell polyether weather stripping. Maybe the open cell would tend to let water vapor move more than the PVC.