Theme C: Agile Design and Operation of the Building Envelope for Energy Efficiency and Human Comfort

Past research has led to the design of various types of high performance building envelope systems intended to reduce the energy costs of a building whilst providing improved indoor comfort for occupants. In this theme, the following will be performed:

• To develop improved simulation methodologies and investigate architectural design strategies using spectrally selective glazing coatings, building surface materials and specific lamp spectral power distributions in order to improve occupant alertness in buildings; and

• To develop computational tools and methods that are able to integrate materials, cooling systems, human factors engineering and occupant behavior into each stage of the asset lifecycle.

Download the Theme C factsheet here.

Projects in this Research Area

Theme C: Agile Design and Operation of the Building Envelope for Energy Efficiency and Human Comfort

Recent News

  • Using polymer octet lattice to reinforce the pliability of concrete

    Berkeley Engineering: Researchers Create Tougher, Environmentally-friendly Concrete

    In October 2020, Berkeley Engineering featured a civil and mechanical engineering ingenuity, a stronger concrete with less carbon emission, that was created by SinBerBEST Theme C researchers including Claudia Ostertag, Hayden Taylor, Brian Salazar, Parham Aghdasi, and Ian Williams. The research team utilized a 3D printer to create polymer-based octet lattices, and then poured ultra-high performance concrete, which is four times sturdier than traditional concrete in compaction, into the lattices.

  • Patent for Antenna-embedded Concrete Granted

    Patent for Antenna-embedded Concrete Granted

    SinBerBEST Principal Investigators and Postdoctoral Scholars have been granted a patent for creating a process for forming an antenna structure and for embedding an antenna system in concrete. In 2016, Prof. Boon Hee Soong, Prof. Paulo Monteiro, Dr. Vanessa Reinheimer, and Dr. Yee Loon Soong, filed this patent application in order enhance the concrete structure's energy harvesting capabilities for embedded Internet of Things (IoT) applications, but to also significantly improve the overall performance of wireless technologies within buildings. Congratulations!

  • Breathing Facade: A Sustainable and Affordable Cooling and Dehumidification Solution for Public Schools in the Tropics

    Breathing Facade: A Sustainable and Affordable Cooling and Dehumidification Solution for Public Schools in the Tropics

    In May 2020, Medium, an online publishing platform with over 60 million monthly active users, highlighted the UC Berkeley MEng Class of 2020 Capstone Award Winners for their annual accomplishments and research inventions. The 2020 awards include the Fung Institute Mission Award, the Alumni Award, and the Leadership Capstone Award.