In late 2011, Portland State University faculty were awarded the largest NCARB Grant for the Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy to date in order to generate translational building science research in collaboration with firms in Portland, Oregon. This grant, along with the resources of the Green Building Research Laboratory (GBRL), transformed traditional lecture-based building science and technology courses into a series of on-going, graduate level seminars that revolve around two primary activities: (1) students conduct building science research of relevance to a project currently under design in a firm and (2) students are embedded in project teams where they attend all interdisciplinary meetings for the course of a term to witness and document interdisciplinary collaboration.
In this unique way, students became contributing members of a design team and building science experts on issues relevant to current practice. For the architecture firms involved, working with universities allows practicing architects the ability to utilize a deeper level of research expertise in the design process and access resources not typically available in practice. One of the most exciting outcomes of this collaboration have been the semi-annual research symposiums where students present their work to representatives from all of the participating firms, creating a dialog around pressing building science issues with students, faculty and practitioners.
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Biophilia X JEDI
Nyaz Addison, Martha Dane, Maddy Capizzi, and Opsis Architecture
The intersection of biophilic design, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion provides a unique vantage point from which to design. When viewed as intersecting lenses to design the human state becomes more than utility, health, or productivity and more sustainable designs emerge. How can Biophilic design improve by becoming more inclusive in its process and more inviting to a diverse audience? How can Opsis’s initiatives improve by looking to nature for ... Read More
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Challenges + Responses to Thermal Comfort + Indoor Air Quality for Multi-Family Housing in the Face of Increased Extreme Heat Events + Wildfires Amidst Anthropogenic Global Climate Change
Daniel Athay, Nathan Flowers, and Salazar Architect Inc.
This research sought to investigate the perceived occupant comfort levels given the reality of global climate change and the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events. The research conducted was two-fold. First, a community engagement questionnaire was developed and administered to solicit qualitative feedback from community members. Simultaneously, scientific literature was researched and reviewed surrounding specifically identified events related to changing climate conditions: extreme heat events (EHEs) and wildfires (WF).
Heat ... Read More
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Facade Optimization
Brandi Barlow, Bryan Ortiz, Matt Wiste, Madeline Peck, and Bora Architecture
As part of Bora’s renovation of Portland State’s Science Building One [SB1], we have been tasked with helping research how to optimize the building envelope through multiple methods, including optimizing daylighting and maximizing insulation, while staying within budget. The PSU team has worked with the BORA team to expand an existing Thermal Flux Calculator to include all four facades of the Existing condition, the Schematic Design, and an Optimized version ... Read More
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Mass Timber Study: Seating Bowls Design
Darrick Williams, Regina Batiste, and SRG Architects
This project focused on finding other ways to use mass timber (outside roof).
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Spatial Daylight Autonomy Study
Portland State University. School of Architecture and SRG Architects
SRG has run into a problem with the current LEED V4.I when it comes to achieving daylighting credits for mid-rise buildings in the Pacific Northwest. The higher in latitude a structure is on the globe, the less potential sunlight will reach it. In order to calculate how much sunlight enters a space we partnered with SRG to create a tool to help determine how much usable daylighting enters a space. ... Read More
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Thermal Performance of Window Details
Nancy Colores, Emmanuel Valdovinos, Anna Hollingsworth, Levi Eads, and Bassetti Architects
Bassetti asked our team to use THERM software and thermal imaging technology to test, analyze, and compare window performance at two recently built schools. Not only will this information be used to enhance future designs, but we are assisting the firm with creating a troubleshooting and how-to guide for future use.
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Wood Red/Green List
Aaron Mayers, Fatemeh Sheikholya Lavasani, Salix Sampson, and Hacker Architects
Heavy timber construction is gaining momentum within the architectural community because of its aesthetic and perceived sustainable qualities. But where exactly does the wood come from and how sustainable are these forestry practices?
Through research, we seek to analyze the forestry practices, social impacts, and biological aspects of temperate wood species in the Pacific Northwest used for structural lumber to then create a red/green list that displays and compares the ... Read More
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Calculating Embodied Carbon in Las Adelitas
Nancy Barakat and Salazar Architect Inc.
The purpose of this research is to assist team Salazar and Hacienda in researching embodied carbon in the construction materials that will be used in Las Adelitas affordable housing, public plaza and event hall project. As part of the AIA 2030 commitment, this report will help the team and their client prioritizes collect necessary data to understand the climate impacts of selected materials, in order to reduce the building’s carbon ... Read More
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Comparing Wall Assemblies Based on Carbon Emissions and Red List Materials
Alexa Esguerra and Bassetti Architects
The purpose of this project was to conduct necessary sustainability research in the early design phase and serve as a starting point for all future projects.
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Concrete Embodied Carbon Study
Maab Mohammed and Tabassum Kalam Khandoker
Generally, in concrete, cement contains a significant amount of embodied carbon. For this reason, designers are looking for different mixtures and .sources for the replacement of cement in concrete. Which can provide the optimum strength by using a minimum amount of cement.
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EC3 and Embodied Carbon Reduction
Karl Benjamin and Opsis Architects
The objective of this research was to use the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool to evaluate the embodied carbon emissions in several material categories, allowing for specification and procurement of low carbon options. The case study for this research is the Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation (University of Portland), an adaptive reuse project currently in the late design and procurement phase of the construction process. This research ... Read More
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Hacker: Evaluating Design Impact Under Quarantine
Portland State University. School of Architecture and Hacker Architects
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Hacker Architects are interested in understanding the impact of their design decisions on the user experience of five of their Portland-area residential projects. One of their greatest challenges has been a pandemic that prevents their team from conducting quantitative research ,vithin each of the their occupied residential buildings to better understand the efiect of site-specific designs of the architecture. What has becorne a unique opportunity, Hacker proposes that ... Read More
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Volta Project
Portland State University. School of Architecture and Bora Architects
This project aims to renovate the existing building, both the exterior and interior. For this renovation, BORA has committed to meeting ambitious sustainability goals. Among these is to convert the building into a net-zero energy (NZE) building. The research this term supported this NZE effort by studying the existing building and testing strategies to improve its performance. The team identifed multiple opportunities to implement passive strategies, but decided to go ... Read More
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Daylighting Optimization Study: Rock Creek High School Commons Skylight Optimization
Razieh Hosseini Nezhad, Heather McGinn, Nicholas Papaefthimiou, Rosemary Hill, and BORA Architects
The aim of this study is to optimize the shape of the skylights in order to enhance daylighting. Rhino, Diva, Grasshopper, and Galapagos ore the softwares utilized to test differing shapes on top and bottom of the shaft of the skylight, and the findings show preference to those with beneficial impacts on Spatial daylighting autonomy (sDA) of greater than 55% and Annual Solar Exposure (ASE) of less than l 0%. ... Read More
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Evaluating the Impact of Glazing Orientation on Daylight Penetration Using Autodesk Insight
Randy Mueller and SRG Architects
The objective of this research project was to evaluate how glazing orientation impacts daylight penetration into a building. A Revit shoebox model of a room containing glazing on a single wall was constructed and Autodesk Insight was used to perform the daylighting analysis. Maximum daylight penetration was achieved when the model was analyzed with glazing orientated toward the east or the west. However, northern and southern glazing orientations produced a ... Read More
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Hacker Passive Cooling Design
Portland State University. School of Architecture
We initially started this project with the sole mission of analysing the total greenhouse gas emissions of the new library using the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Calculator (or GGEA) developed by PAE. During our first visit with PAE, we were informed of the exponential effect refrigerants have on ozone depletion. Some having a global warming potential factor of more than 1800 times that of CO2. This prompted us to make ... Read More
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Milwaukie Ledding Library Cooling System Optimization
Portland State University. School of Architecture
The Milwaukie Ledding Library (MLL) by Hacker Architects is a new construction 20,000SF project in Milwaukie, Oregon. The City of Milwaukie, the client, wanted to target high sustainability goals, pursuing the Energy Trust of Oregon's path to a net-zero program and LEED certification. The initial research proposal incorporated passive cooling to optimize hydronic radian slab cooling using air-to-water heat pumps designed for radiant heating. Dedicated to a cooling strategy taking ... Read More
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Pre-Occupancy Training with Virtual Reality
Portland State University. School of Architecture and Opsis Architecture
Project Overview:
Opsis Architecture has teamed with Portland State University’s Research-Based Design Initiative to study occupant behavior and energy consumption. The relationship between people and building control systems is a critical factor in overall building energy performance. Conventional energy models rely on static, overly simplistic patterns of occupant behavior and are unable to provide energy performance predictions that reflect realistic use. Thoughtfully designed passive systems are ineffective unless operated as ... Read More
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Rock Creek Middle School Daylighting Analysis: Existing and Proposed Spaces
Razieh Hosseini Nezhod, Ashley McDaniel-Harpster, Sergio Palleroni, David Posada, Rosemary Hill, and BORA Architects
Bora is starting design work on a conversion of Rock Creek Middle School (completed by BORA in 2010) into a high school. This conversion was always envisioned and will soon become a reality. The project will double the size of the existing school, with additional structure being added lo most sides and even the roof of one wing. The will impact existing daylight access in various ways that we'd like ... Read More
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Skylight Design Optimization
Robert Wilson, Sarut Choothian, and SRG Partnership
The Gonzaga Integrated Science and Engineering Building is a 65,471 SF building set for completion in 2018. Located at a critical intersection between disciplines, and with a bridge to the existing PACCAR building, this new endeavor offers the opportunity for true multidisciplinary interaction. The focus of this research affects a critical area of the program. Specifically, to provide natural light to interior spaces located within this zone of interaction.
In ... Read More
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Use Patterns of Breakot Spaces at Roosevelt High School
Portland State University. School of Architecture and Bassetti Architects
The objective of this research is to observe and analyze the use patterns of flexible breakout spaces at Roosevelt High School. Use patterns are recorded through observation of movement, behavior, length of stay, and activity. Environmental analysis of light, sound, and temperature in the breakout spaces were recorded. Two observational and analysis studies were recorded with users typically spending an average of one minutes or less in the spaces, with ... Read More
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Virtual Reality & Gamification for Pre-Occupancy Training
Corey T. Griffin, Jenny Rodriguez, Gwen Ward, Bynum Laboratories, and Opsis Architecture
The objective of this research is to analyze and compare user behavior and learning retention via gamified and non-gamified virtual reality for use in pre-occupancy training. After completing trials for both gamified and non-gamified virtual reality we issued a standardized post-experience survey to collect data on what the participants learned, then compared and analyzed the results. The benefits of virtual reality and gamification have both been extensively studied and both ... Read More
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ZGF Structure Revisted: A Study in Mass Timber For Reed Residence Hall
Portland State University. School of Architecture
A study in the benefits of designing with CLT and Mass Timber versus PT Concrete and design flexibility between the two systems.
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Barriers to Mass Timber Adoption Mid to High-Rise Buildings
Bianca Viggiano, Chad Wallace, and Corey T. Griffin
Advancements in technology and manufacturing have provided the means to construct tal l wood buildings that are safe and cost effective while gaining the aesthetic and environmental benefits associated with mass timber. The objective of this research is to identify perceived barriers of the integration of mass timber as a desirable bui lding material for architects and structural engineers. Building on a previous study, surveys wi ll be distributed to ... Read More
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Biosafety Cabinets in Laboratory Planning
Carrington Crities, Amy Peterson, Nicholas Papaefthimiou, Tucker Jones, and ZGF Architects
The purpose of this research and white paper is to design architectural module layouts for practical laboratory use by integrating biosafety cabinets (BSCs) in replacement of traditional fume hood ducting systems and discuss the findings. The desired outcome of this work is to use knowledge gained from research to propose potential BSC layouts within a laboratory type building, and how BSCs can benefit laboratory design. Based on advantages and restrictions ... Read More