Mission
In order to optimize built performance, it is necessary to understand the interactions between multiple complex variables related to buildings and their environments.
The Center currently has work underway on:
- Global warming and the design response
- reducing the lifetime carbon footprint of buildings
- producing energy from buildings
- responding to the 2010 and 2030 Imperatives
- Glare in the urban environment
- Documenting the performance of climate responsive buildings
- Computer applications in the design studio that support performance based design
- BIM modeling – integration with analytical tools
- physical context modeling
- carbon footprint modeling
- simulation and analysis
- Building monitoring and controls
- Developing the aesthetics of sustainable design
- Environmental issues in historic preservation: rehabilitation versus demolition.
- Environmental issues in Landscape Architecture
The Center intends to expand its efforts to include:
- Sustainable building material selection and implications for natural resource management
- Expanded indoor environmental quality – integrating daylighting. electric lighting, thermal comfort, acoustical control, and indoor air quality
- Green roofs and walls for energy, carbon, wildlife management, and food production
- Rainfall, surface water, and ground water in relationship to built form and function.
- Sustainable construction and commissioning processes
- Sustainable building operations and maintenance
- Design for deconstruction and reuse