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Unprecedented: Reflecting on the Events of 2020
As we reach the final weeks of 2020 — a year we are all happy to put behind us — we take a moment to reflect on the many challenges of the year, and also some successes made possible through the support and resilience of our industry partners and collaborators who navigated with us through truly unprecedented times.
Modernization of a Mid-Century High School Earns 2020’s Livable Building Award
The historic renovation and expansion of Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco has been recognized as the winner of CBE’s 2020 Livable Buildings Award. The design team conducted comprehensive carbon accounting, and the project is expected to yield net positive energy performance. Conferred annually by UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment, this program recognizes buildings that demonstrate ‘livability’ in terms of occupant satisfaction, sustainability and architectural design.
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.
CBE in the News See all
Six 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.