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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Baseline Daylight Autonomy and Glare
Portland State University. School of Architecture
With the 2050 Energy Challenge in mind, many institutions are embracing strict policies on energy consumption in order to be at the vangaurd of sustainable practice. The California State Educational System is one such organization, specifying a 25% below code requirements for University buildings. This project specifically involves a retrofit of Cruess Hall, a former shop and storage space on the campus of UC Davis.
Our first task was establishing ... Read More
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Building Performance “What Ifs”
Paul Conrad, Alejandra Ruiz, Genevieve Wasser, and Boora Architects
The “Building Performance What Ifs” project collaborated with Boora Architects to analyze the envelope design performance for three schools in the Portland area. The three selected schools, North Clackamas High School, Rock Creek Middle School, and the Early Learning Center addition to Earl Boyles Elementary School serve as examples of evolving knowledge and strategies in envelope performace design in recent years.
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Central City Concern
Benjamin Britt, Cheryl Leontina, Erich Raudebaugh, and Joseph Wilson
Project Overview: Energy assessments for four CCC buildings which represent the array of properties in their portfolio. Method: 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Use thermal imaging, 3D modeling with Sefaira and data sets from WegoWise to create comparative analyses for CCC to utalize in future projects.
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Creating an Eco-District at Lincoln High School
Willy Chandler, Isaac Schultz, Abbey Dacey, Mike Manzi, Corey T. Griffin, and Kalina Vanderpoel
The EcoDistrict protocol is a list of concepts centered around connectivity, sustainability, and resiliency in neighborhoods and urban environments. Initial research consisted of reviewing precedents for EcoDistricts and other high performance neighborhoods and schools. Lincoln High School, Providence Park and the Multnomah Athletic Club were identified as the stakeholders of a potential EcoDistrict due to their location and energy demand. Calculations and estimates were made for the potential employment of ... Read More
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Existing Retrofit for Enhanced Performance
Portland State University. School of Architecture
Hacker is renovating Cruess Hall on the University of California, Davis campus. It is a 22,000 sf structure built in 19 59. Over the years it has had many uses included being a meat processing p lant and is to become a multi-use space which will include an auditorium and wood shop to name a few.
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Knight Cancer Research Building
Darren Biles, Peter Heibel, and SRG Partnership
The Knight Cancer Research Building (KCRB) will be a 7-story research facility with a proposed site in the South Waterfront district. It will be the first building of a two-phase construction project; the second building, expected for completion in about 10 years, will connect to the KCRB's north facade. Until then, the KCRB north facade will be visually and environmentally exposed.
The north facade will include an atrium flanked by ... Read More
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Living Building Challenge
Emily Jane Bedell, Hayley Nelke, and SRG Architects
The Living Economy Sourcing imperative intends to promote growth of local economic structure while reducing negative transportation related effects on human and environmental health. Requirements for material sourcing distances are presented in this imperative, as seen in the map below, from Portland, OR. The manufacturer location is defined as the place where the final product is fabricated and assembled. A distribution facility does not qualify as a products’ manufacturer location. ... Read More
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Multnomah County Courthouse Day Light Analysis
Angela Van Duzen and SRG Partnership
The projects is a comprehensive day lighting analysis of spatial qualities to maximize daylight autonomy of the courtroom space for the Multnomah County. The courthouse is a new construction designed by SRG architects who are commissioned by Multnomah County. The building is located on 1st and Jefferson adjacent to the Hawthorne Bridge on Portland, OR. The aim of the study is to determine whether a light well in the center ... Read More
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Qualitative Daylighting Analysis
Alejandra Ruiz, Genevieve Wasser, and Bora Architects
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a combination of strategies used for analyzing daylighting qualities in the context of two classrooms. The strategies include qualitative information from observations and a post-occupancy survey, on-site light level measurements, and computer generated simulations all intended to inform a comparative analysis of the daylighting conditions and perceived daylighting qualities between the two classrooms. This composite approach takes into consideration access to daylight and views, ... Read More
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Analyzing Daylight Autonomy: New Dining Hall at George Fox University
Katie Barmore-McCollum, Corey T. Griffin, and THA
THA Architecture is designing a dining hall for George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. The school has out-grown their current dining hall and is in need of a larger space. This is a new construction project of 30,000 sf and with a budget of $200 a square foot. The program includes; dining space, dining space that can be closed off with folding walls, a café, cafeteria food pick-up area, kitchen, ... Read More
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Arduino Microcontroller + Adaptive Architecture Responsive Illuminance Device
Portland State University. School of Architecture
The project focused on light-responsive architecture.
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Beaverton High School
Katie Barmore-McCollum, Nicole de Jong, Sergio Palleroni, Huafen Hu, Reid Weber, and PAE
The intended task was to study early massing concepts for climate responsiveness using Sefaira as an analytical tool. We were to work rapidly to analyze a series of massing concepts during the schematic design phase and provide feedback to the Boora design team to determine which factors/outputs to be studied such as daylighting, energy use, and building orientation. We received three massing models from Boora to study in Sefaira and ... Read More
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Computational Fluid Dynamics for Early Stage Architectural Design
Russell Wisniewski, Corey T. Griffin, Mark Stroller, Lona Rerick, Erika Colvin, Jeanne Jameson, and Stephen Colin
This project set out to evaluate the validity and usefulness of CFD within the contemporary Design Practice. Initially attempting to analyze a specifi c design it became clear a more general study was needed. Analyzing natural ventilation is an infi nitely complex process, to determine the level of simplication required for use involved breaking the natural process down and analyzing the pieces seperately and then together. By using this process ... Read More
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Cross Laminated Timber Building Performance
Portland State University. School of Architecture
Current standard construction techniques play an increasing role in greenhouse gas emissions, so the need for exploration into alternative methods are a requirement for future products and construction. 47% of the CO2 emissions delivered into our atmosphere are due to building construction and materials. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other varied wood products are an emerging, viable source of sustainable, alternative building methods. The presented body of research explains the benefits ... Read More
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Designing for Ventilation with CFD: Evergreen State College Costantino Recreation Center
Sergio Palleroni, Russell Wisniewski, Noureddine Dib, Huafen Hu, Mark Stroller, Jeanne Jameson, Stephen Colin, and Erika Colvin
The Costantino Recreation Center (CRC) houses the offi ces for all head coaches, athletic training, and recreation and athletics administrative staff. The CRC gymnasium holds three full-size basketball courts and four full-size volleyball courts, and can seat up to 1,500 for events. It was last re-modeled in 1990 to add a gymnasium, multi-purpose exercise room, offi ce space and wellness center, and general recreation use by students, faculty, staff and ... Read More
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Energy Use Intensity and Infrared Thermography as a Tool in Building Assessments
Carrie Dickson, Sean Newberry, and Blake Reynolds
Understanding a building’s energy usage has become more important over recent years. The building sector uses nearly half of the energy produced in the United States. By identifying ways to reduce a building’s energy usage, it can have major impact on reduced carbon emissions.
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Envelope Optimization Analysis for South Cooper Mountain High School: Setaira Web-application
Juan C. Garduno, Mike Manzi, Corey T. Griffin, and Boora Architects
Research Goals:
1. Identify Sefaira’s energy simulation limitations Goals:
2. Identify successful Sefaira strategies/setting compared to eQuest strategies/settings
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Evolutionary Modeling and Building Energy Efficiency: How can Building Performance Evaluation be integrated early into an ever-accelerating design process?
Portland State University. School of Architecture
With the increasing demand for energy efficient buildings, designers have begun to face a new challenge- how can performance evaluation be integrated into the ever-accelerating design process? The design and performance evaluation of a building are, in most cases, divorced. The designer will often have to halt, freeze the design, and wait for performance results to filter back. That gap between freezing the design and awaiting results can be weeks. ... Read More