Using massive data sets, combined with and automatic analysis and interpretation of data, we can understand problems, set achievable goals, and monitor progress towards these goals. This session featured industry leaders, from companies large and small, who are applying data science in new and innovative ways to mitigate climate change effects that result from our built environment.

Research shows that approximately 40 percent of commercial building users are dissatisfied with their thermal environments, achieving just half of the industry goal of 80 percent, and thereby representing one of the most bothersome aspects of indoor environments. This class covered key concepts of thermal comfort, how it can be improved, and how this knowledge can be used to create low-energy and comfortable buildings, including in buildings with radiant systems and ceiling fans that can provide equivalent or superior comfort.

The Livable Buildings Awards recognize projects that demonstrate excellence in architecture, sustainability and occupant satisfaction. This award is unique as projects must qualify by meeting high standards as measured by the CBE Occupant Survey. This event featured design professionals who will discussed their design processes and client collaborations that led to the creation of livable and sustainable buildings, all demonstrating low- or net-positive performance.

The design of a commercial building facade may be one of the most complex challenges facing design professionals, as multiple and sometimes conflicting goals are brought into play: architectural expression, transparency, energy, comfort, cost and the combined effects of moisture, thermal and structural loads. This course featured three presentations on tools, methods, research findings and case studies to inform the design of advanced and high-performance facades.

Faculty and researchers at UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment are pursuing wide-ranging research with the goal of improving building energy performance, the quality of indoor environments and the effectiveness of workplaces. This course presented insights and findings from new research, with interesting implications for commercial building stakeholders.

Michelle Malanca Frey was the keynote speaker for CBE’s Industry Advisory Board session in October 2021. In this talk she presents current trends and possible futures that lead towards building electrification, adoption of distributed energy resources, vehicle-to grid-integration, as well as creative branding concepts that may accelerate the adoption of these important technical and societal changes.

Windows and view quality represent a vital field of study at the nexus of the building envelope, occupant experience and energy performance. Advancements in simulation technologies offer new integrated analysis workflows that combine the effects of view, daylight and thermal conditions to inform design decisions. Speakers included researchers, designers and other experts who will discuss significant research results, and help designers to adapt the research findings into building designs.

Low-power personal comfort systems (PCS) allow building occupants to control their individual environments and to remain comfortable over a range of indoor temperatures. This course presented research that demonstrates the practical applicability of PCS devices for improving both thermal comfort and energy efficiency using currently available devices such as desktop and ceiling fans, and also innovative prototypes such as a heated and cooled office chair.

Variable air volume (VAV) HVAC systems dominate the commercial building market but have widely varying performance. Research led by UC Berkeley has demonstrated that energy or cost reductions as high as 29% may be achieved using one of three new VAV control strategies that are simple enough to implement within existing building management systems. This course will be led by leading UC Berkeley researchers who developed these methods and/or who led the field studies, and they will address energy performance, comfort, and guidance for implementation.

A persistent housing shortage in California and beyond is driving demand for affordable, sustainable housing which also serves overarching concerns of equity and social justice. This session featured seasoned professionals — from architecture, engineering and non-profit development — who presented case studies and discussed proven and effective strategies, as well as lessons learned from a new generation of multi-family housing that is both affordable and sustainable, with many reaching LEED Platinum and/or net zero energy targets.