Research and Engagement
STRATEGIC RESEARCH AREAS
Decarbonization of the Built Environment: Energy-efficient building systems, high performing building assemblies design and construction, performance-based design tools, fundamentals of building science, life-cycle assessment, low carbon materials, sustainable cities.
Emerging Technologies and Advanced Computational Design: Digital fabrication, robotics, cybernetics, programming & creative coding, Artificial Intelligence, smart materials, smart buildings, smart cities, interactive/adaptive design, AR/VR and analytics, building technology and simulation, etc.
Health and Well-Being: Equity-centered design, community-engaged scholarship, environmental justice, healthcare design, behavioral design, user-oriented evidence-based design, subjective well-being and positive psychology in buildings.
RESEARCH LABS
ID+CL: The Integrated Design + Construction Lab (ID+CL) conducts sponsored design and construction research activities and advances innovation in practice as part of an allied regional network of university labs. Go to ID+CL.
Interior Ambiances Lab: The Interior Ambiances Lab studies conditions of light, space, form, and material to advance understanding of architectural ambiance and the human experience. Go to Interior Ambiances Lab.
Morphogenesis: An interdisciplinary lab that explores the relationship between the built environment and psychology, research in the Morphogenesis lab examines “compassionate spaces,” cyber-physical smart adaptive built environments that can feel, learn, and respond to physiological and psychological user needs. Go to Morphogenesis Lab.
Reuse Design Lab: The Reuse Design Lab works with industry to identify construction and demolition (C&D) waste streams where robust recycling and reuse is constrained by a lack of current applications. Go to Reuse Design Lab.
BETA Lab: The Built Environment Technology Application (BETA) Lab specializes in developing and deploying novel technologies to transform practices in the built environment through fundamental research breakthroughs and collaborative industry partnerships. Go to BETA Lab.
WGEDL: The Water Grass and Ecology Design Lab advances innovation in groundwater recharge, native grass applications in ecological resiliency as it applies to the built environment. Go to the WGEDL.
TEACHING LABS
Fab Labs: The School of Design and Construction Fabrication Labs offers 3500 square feet of maker-space, conveniently located next to Carpenter Hall. Visit the Fabrication Labs.
BIM Lab: Through generous support from Hoffman and McKinstry, the BIM Lab and associated curriculum give construction management students and faculty access to equipment, software, and updated classrooms that reflect current industry technology in Building Information Modeling. Visit the BIM Lab.
Trimble Technology Lab: The Trimble Technology Lab provides students with hands-on experience with a wide breadth of Trimble solutions. The lab expands the university’s access and expertise in surveying and GIS, cost- and model-based estimating, construction sequencing, site logistics, building energy analysis, constructible Building Information Modeling (BIM) and much more. Go to Trimble Technology Lab.
Materials Resource Lab: (link and information forthcoming).
RCDI
The Rural Communities Design Initiative (RCDI) aims to enhance the social, cultural, economic, and natural capital of unique rural places through design interventions in the physical environment. Go to RCDI.