Centerline See all
Hiding in Plain Sight: In Pursuit of High-Performance Facades
No aspect of a building is more visible, or holds more didactic potential, than its facade. However, what you see is not always what you get. In spite of the facade’s explicit visibility, a facade’s appearance may not reveal much about a building’s performance in terms of energy, resilience or how it impacts the health and welfare of occupants. This most visible part of a building, when it comes to performance, is an enigma. To counter this, CBE researchers are working on multiple efforts to create new facade tools and metrics, and to document examples of excellence in terms of facade performance.
Tool Builder Carlos Duarte Joins CBE as Post-Doc Researcher
Already a core part of CBE’s research team, Carlos Duarte completed his PhD dissertation earlier this year and has joined CBE as a post-doctoral researcher. We caught up with him via Zoom while the campus is still closed due to the ongoing concerns of Covid-19.
New Comfort Classifications Acknowledge Human Variability and Encourage Occupant Control
Imagine an ice cream parlor that offers only one flavor of ice cream, one chosen by scientists based on what an ‘average’ person wants. While this idea seems absurd, a similar logic has been used in establishing standards for thermal comfort in buildings. A group of CBE staff, industry partners and others have developed a revision to thermal comfort standards that acknowledges the variability in human comfort preferences.
Getting Out of Hot Water: Collaboration on Decarbonizing Large Commercial Buildings
CBE received new funding to support research in innovative control technologies that will reduce natural gas consumption in large commercial buildings, leading to paths for cost-efficient solutions having broad application including in existing buildings.
CBE in the News See all
6 Decluttering Tips for Anyone Who’s Overwhelmed at the Very Thought
CBE researcher Lindsay T. Graham offers her expertise on the psychology of the home environment in this recent article, which provides tips for decluttering your space.
Women in Sustainability Podcast: Interview with Gail Brager
CBE’s Associate Director Gail Brager was interviewed for the Women in Sustainability podcast, hosted by Kira Gould and UC Berkeley alum Lindsay Baker. She talks about meaningful mentorship, the power of collaboration, and gives a sneak peek at the book she is currently working on.
Top Interior Design Trends of 2020: From Home Offices to Two-Tone Kitchens
Researcher Lindsay T. Graham was interviewed for an article focused on the top design trends of 2020, and offers her insight into the idea of a “dream home”.
Livable Buildings Awards
Now in its twelfth year, the Livable Buildings Awards recognize projects that demonstrate high occupant satisfaction, excellent design, and innovative operation strategies.