The American Institute of Architects (AIA) May 3 announced recipients of its Upjohn Research Initiative grants. Four projects will each receive up to $30,000 in grants for research that will advance the future of architectural design and practice.
The AIA Upjohn Research Initiative supports applied research projects that enhance the value of design and professional practice knowledge.
Official project titles and principal investigators for this year’s grant recipients are:
- Nexus between Sustainable Buildings and Human Health: Quantifying EEG Responses to Virtual Environments to Inform Design| Ming Hu and Madlen Simon, AIA | University of Maryland
- Retooling Bamboo Tectonics: From Vernacular Aesthetics to Milled Material System| Jonas Hauptman; Katie MacDonald, Assoc. AIA; and Kyle Schumann | Virginia Tech
- Polycasting: Multi-material 3D Printed Formwork for Reinforced Concrete| Shelby Doyle, AIA, and Nicholas Senske | Iowa State University
- Development of Artificial Leaf-based Façade Cladding (ALFC) Systems for Energy Production and Carbon Sequestration| Rahman Azari, Ph.D., and Mohammad Asadi, Ph.D. | Illinois Institute of Technology.Collaborator: Farid Pour, PhD (HOK). This research project aims to develop and test an artificial leaf-based façade cladding (ALFC) prototype that produces clean energy for operation of buildings and removes CO2 of the air through chemical processes. This study proposes that successful integration of artificial leaf technology can convert urban envelopes into large-scale sponge systems with massive carbon removal and sustainable energy production capabilities.
A detailed synopsis for each applied research project can be found on AIA’s website.
Grant recipients were selected this year by a seven-member jury comprised of members from the AIA College of Fellows and Board Knowledge Committee.
Learn more about AIA’s Upjohn Research Initiative, now in its twelfth year, and Upjohn-funded research on AIA’s website.
