Models to Assess and Reverse the Environmental Impact of Buildings

Climate change has become the main environmental challenge that humans face in the current century. While the advancement of knowledge and technology has improved building design and construction practices, the building sector continues to be a predominant contributor to primary energy use, operational and embodied carbon, and other adverse environmental impacts.

The research within the Resource and Energy Efficiency (RE2) Lab lies at the nexus of building physics, energy performance, environmental life cycle assessment, and industrial ecology. Broadly, we aim to understand the impact of buildings and urban systems on the environment, and develop innovative design and technologies to reverse those impacts. Our research falls into two key themes including: (1) multi-scalar and multidimensional assessment of life cycle impacts of buildings on the environment, and (2) innovative building systems and technologies with energy production and carbon absorption capabilities.