My research interests focus on the contemporary problems of integrated architecture, engineering, and construction practices, particularly the communication processes and team workflows that support them. This work is at the intersection of AEC and the sociological and organizational theories that help identify and analyze the activities within professional practice collaboration. I am using qualitative studies to build theory and practice models for Lean Construction, sustainable design and construction, and integration across design, construction, and facility management. I am also working with technological constructs like BIM and COBie that form foundations for new kinds of collaboration.
I am a licensed architect, and have been a long-time educator in architecture and construction. I have taught design and construction studios, building detailing and assemblages, and architectural theory, and have been recognized institutionally and nationally for teaching excellence. My instructional research is focused on studio-based learning and design thinking.
I am interested in developing analysis methods and metrics for accurate daylight analysis. More concretely, I would like to work on developing color accurate sky models through analyzing HDR photographs, and to integrate it to annual daylight simulation method. Additionally, I am also interested in integration of daylight simulation in environmental design.
My personal research interests include emerging building technologies, such as BIM, and their integration into the field, augmented reality within construction, sustainability within the construction management industry, net-zero or net-positive energy buildings, and emerging building technologies as a whole. I am also interested in building energy performance for new construction and retrofits, decarbonization of buildings, passive sustainable design for buildings, and building to grid optimization.
The Cyber-BE Lab integrates the latest in academic research on policy, communication, and organization with industry expertise on IoT security, risk mitigation and building operations. Cyber-BE offers a holistic understanding of IoT in the built environment. We support the organizational, communication, and policy innovations that will help minimize IoT risk through:
- Advancing social scientific research to better understand and apply smart technology in the built environment
- Delivering usable guidance and tools to address the policy, organizational, and communication challenges that industry practitioners face
- Building a community of practice of IoT security practitioners and researchers
The lab leads include Laura Osburn, Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Construction Management, Jessica Beyer, Lecturer and Research Scientist at the Jackson School of International Studies, and Chuck Benson, Director of IoT Risk Mitigation Strategy at the University of Washington.
The Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans) announced in January 2021 the project proposals selected for funding. Qing Shen, Professor of Urban Design and Planning and Chair of the Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Urban Design and Planning is among those selected for project funding. Shen is working alongside Co-Principal Investigator Catherine (Casey) Gifford–Innovative Mobility Senior Planner–on the applied research project titled “Supplementing fixed-route transit with dynamic shared mobility services: a marginal cost comparison approach”. The project goal is to address a…
Sensol Systems, a startup founded in 2020 by Janie Bube–a recent UW Masters of Landscape Architecture graduate–along with other students at University of Washington, was recently awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) award to participate in the I-Corps program. This NSF program uses experiential education to help researchers gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship, starting a business or industry requirements and challenges. The curriculum integrates scientific inquiry and industrial discovery in an inclusive, data-driven culture driven by rigor, relevance, and evidence….
On February 9, Lever for Change announced that the College of Built Environment’s Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) and four other finalist teams will advance to the next stage of the 2030 Climate Challenge, a $10 million award launched last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 2030. The Challenge, sponsored by an anonymous donor, will fund proven, data-driven solutions tackling greenhouse gas emissions in the buildings, industry, and/or transportation sectors in communities across the country. Sixty-eight proposals…
Urban systems, system complexity, big data, artificial intelligence, smart cities, communities, and coupled human-built-environmental systems
Understanding how communities plan and adopt green solutions including technologies that are sustainable and fit in the framework of green neighborhood development
Climate change, smart cities, urban economics and the interaction between human behavior and built environment