Intelligent Building Architecture

CFES works in cooperation with RPI's Center for Architectural Science & Engineering (CASE) to support innovation and the incorporation of next-generation architectural technologies into new building projects. Buildings account for over a third of the total energy consumption in the United States alone. As new construction projects increase exponentially in emerging global economies, acceleration in the pace of architectural innovation and the implementation of sustainable material and energy technology becomes ever more urgent. Research and system development aims to implement changes to building practices with international impact in three priority areas: energy consumption; sustainable resource management; and quality of access to essential resources: fresh air, clean water, natural daylight, plant and animal life.

 

Systems Engineering and Integration:

• Next generation dynamic PV concentrator and window shading systems.
• Solar building envelope systems for water recycling, purification and thermal control.
• Building integrated PV (BIPV) design and testing.
• Building integrated wind channel air flow amplification for power generation; design & testing.
• Utilization of electroactive polymers for building system control.