Buildings and building envelopes

Our objective is to provide the understanding needed for the integrated design of buildings and building envelopes that serve people better while costing the world less.

Context

The global stock of buildings is expected to approximately double by 2060. That amounts to 230 billion m² of new building construction over the next 40 years, or the equivalent of 60 new Empire State Buildings a day. This represents both an unprecedented challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. An unprecedented challenge because we must build in a way that preserves the quality of the natural world around us; and an unprecedented opportunity because we can create buildings and cities that enhance the well-being and productivity of their inhabitants.

Theme

Our research investigates the adaptation of existing buildings and infrastructure to meet changing demands as well as entirely new building structural typologies. We recognise that if buildings don’t work for people, then they don’t work – so we explore the relationship between building performance and occupant well-being. Since a building’s envelope plays at least as great a role as its structure in determining building performance, we develop glass and façade technologies that support new design possibilities.