Architecture Center for Responsive Enclosures: Towards an Interdisciplinary Research Model

This paper will trace the evolution of a nine month research project granted by a new initiative from Pratt Institute’s provost. The Innovation Fund was created as seed money to incubate research centers in an art and design institution that has a limited history conducting research. Proposals ultimately had to demonstrate the ability to secure government or private foundation funding for continuation of the work and meet the goals of the Institute’s strategic plan. The analysis and types of data collection employed, the design work that was produced, and the partnerships that were fostered, will be discussed within the larger objective to build a model to conduct architectural research. Obstacles and opportunities within our institution played a critical role in development of our proposal, and this creates a context from which to reflect on our approach as a case study for further investigation. Most importantly this paper will document how unique interdisciplinary collaborations (engineering, manufacturing, geographic information visualization) were formed to produce knowledge that addresses a larger cultural context outside of the typical architectural design problem.Over the past six years, New York City has promoted energy efficiency policies – including the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan – that will radically reshape the education of architects toward energy performance in buildings, reduction of emissions, and the efficient use of resources. Our research investigates the important environmental design opportunities that exist within building envelopes, particularly in large commercial and residential structures that are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions and power consumption. Following the current and former Mayoral administration’s plans to increase the energy performance of the New York City’s buildings, our work targets innovative façade strategies that generate on-site renewable energy, are highly energy efficient, and produce a new vocabulary for sustainable construction.

Volume Editors
David Ruy & Lola Sheppard

ISBN
978-0-935502-95-4