Harnessing nature's wisdom through building design
Alexandra Rempel, an associate professor of environmental design, is leading multiple research projects aimed at reshaping the way we think about constructing buildings.
A Design Tool and Intelligent Control Platform for Capturing Climatic Heating and Cooling Resources in Buildings
To help societies adapt to a changing climate, a team of researchers in the College of Arts and Sciences is working on a tool for capturing heating and cooling resources in buildings.
Alexandra Rempel, an associate professor of environmental design in the Environmental Studies Program, is leading multiple research projects aimed at reshaping the way we think about constructing buildings, including climatic heating and cooling resources.
"I'm very interested in earth-building," Rempel says, citing India's rich tradition of using earthen construction in hot climates to absorb heat during the day and release moisture overnight. “I think that if we were to go back to an earth-building culture, it would be very supportive of passive heating and cooling because the materials are so good at buffering from extremes.”
Because of the current global focus on mainstream construction designs, Rempel is looking for ways to integrate her interest in traditional earthen construction with the more conventional heating and cooling techniques used in the US, where building codes often favor materials like wood or steel with standard insulation.
Earthen construction supports passive heating and cooling methods in hot climates.
She recently received a Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help fund a design tool project aimed at assisting architects in optimizing passive heating and cooling systems. The project involves building energy models and control algorithms to develop a user-friendly interface for architects and engineers. The team will also conduct market research through NSF's I-Corps training and use interviews from potential customers to help refine their design tool.
Another of Rempel's projects, led by environmental studies doctoral student Yumna Imtiaz, explores the transition from traditional building materials to concrete and steel roofs in northern Pakistan. Imtiaz is working on identifying elements from traditional methods in Pakistan that can be reintegrated into modern construction to achieve a balance between social acceptability and survivability.
“All my projects involve lots of other people and really hard-working students,” Rempel acknowledges. “As an associate professor, you’re thinking with people, coaching them and helping them to get unstuck. We’re always thinking of new ideas and keeping collaborations going, trying to raise money and anticipate problems.”
In addition to the design tool project, Rempel’s team is working on a two-year collaboration with University Housing to investigate experimental dorm units that have recently been designed and built.
The project involves two units—one with a sunspace for passive solar heating and moveable insulation, as well as ceiling fans to assist natural ventilation in the summer, and another with conventional features. Data loggers and mathematical models are used to assess the performance of various design elements, providing insights for future dorm construction.
Rempel is also working on collaborative research with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to identify essential passive cooling components for affordable housing units.
Associate Professor of Environmental Design Alexandra Rempel
There’s a real opportunity in affordable housing for a couple of reasons. Passive cooling technologies are so inexpensive that they’re available, and they have a chance to be very effective.
Alexandra Rempel, professor of environmental studies
By understanding all of the parts required for surviving heat waves—including exterior shading devices, portable fans and thermal storage tanks—the project aims to improve the comfort and resilience of affordable housing.
“People are sensitive to when they’re comfortable,” Rempel said. “But it's hard for people to tell when an apartment is gaining heat. We’re trying to develop a signaling app that would be a free public utility for tenets and landlords so they can understand the climate and when to use the different components like the shades or the tanks.”
Rempel envisions a future where these sustainable practices empower vulnerable populations, mitigate the environmental impact of widespread air conditioning use and contribute to overall resilience in the face of climate challenges. As her lab continues to push the boundaries of environmental design, their impact will go beyond classrooms and into homes, dorms and more, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient environment.
