The IBPSA-USA UPenn Chapter is hosting its inaugural lecture - Augmenting Design with Environmental Performance Analysis.
Join us for a talk by Prof. Timur Dogan, Director of the Environmental Systems Lab + M.Arch Program at @cornellaap .
Prof. Dogan will talk about his lab’s work in building performance simulation, including development of various tools ClimateStudio and EnergyAtlas.io.
📅 April 14 | 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 207 Meyerson Hall
💻 Hybrid
Registration required to attend online (link in bio)
https://upenn.zoom.us/meeting/register/kP2dO1lQTRibKRYQLZKFpw
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school@cornellaap@ibpsausa
#simulationtools #buildingperformance #energymodeling #architechture #design
✨Mid term review✨
The first year EBD students presented their midterm work for the Bioclimatic Design Studio, under the guidance of Prof. Dorit Aviv @thermal_architecture_lab and TA Ji Yoon Bae @baejiyoon . With a proposal for the design of an elementary school in various climates across the country, each group presented their understanding of the climatic conditions and ecological systems across their respective sites.
Thank you to all the guest critics: Bill Braham @brahamwww , Kritika Kharbanda @kharbanda_kritika , Sonia Flamberg soniaflamberg, Zherui Wang @z.wagn , Surya Prabhakaran @surya_411 , Jihun Kim @isoenv@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school #bioclimatic #sustainability #architecture #greenbuilding #research
Name: Adithi Garood
Hometown: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Program: Master in Environmental Building Design (MEBD)
Meet Adithi Garood, a Master in Environmental Building Design student at the Weitzman School of Design. Focused on sustainability, research, and material innovation, Adithi explores how design can respond to environmental challenges while staying grounded in context and culture. Here is how she reflects on her journey at Weitzman:
Why did you choose Weitzman?
The EBD program blends design and research in the sustainable built environment. I was drawn to its focus on innovative, real-world strategies and its culture of critical discussion and forward-thinking work guided by experts.
How has your background shaped the way you approach design?
Coming from India, my approach is rooted in context and culture. Growing up shaped my focus on sensory experience, while living in Bengaluru highlighted integrated planning, environmental awareness, and adaptability.
What project or experience at Weitzman confirmed that you’re on the right path?
Travel Week to San Francisco and UC Berkeley connected studio ideas to real-world practice through alumni projects and lectures by industry professionals.
Is there a project that reshaped the way you think about design?
A biomaterials elective (Dumo Lab) reframed materials as tools for sustainability rather than just aesthetics.
How has Weitzman prepared you for your future career?
It builds technical skills and critical thinking, encouraging more holistic and realistic design solutions.
What is one tip to help make the transition into graduate school?
Have a clear purpose. If unsure, professors are approachable and supportive.
How do you hope your work will impact the future?
I hope my work improves both people’s lives and the environment.
Images
1. Headshot
2. EBD studio travel in San Fransico
3. Work done in structural elective
4. Finished material of Bio-material elective
5. EBD community Christmas dinner
Second-year EBD students presented the latest progress on their year-long research projects, moving from early work-in-progress exploration towards more developed prototypes, simulations, and testing. The review included feedback from guest critics Forrest Meggers @chaos_of_forrest , Jihun Kim @isoenv , Surya Prabhakaran @surya_411 , Shibei Huang @shirley_h_h_h and Max Hakkarainen.
Projects explore thermal comfort, passive cooling and ventilation systems, envelope innovation, and climate-responsive design.
EBD Research Studio course led by Prof. William Braham @brahamwww and Prof. Dorit Aviv @thermal_architecture_lab , with support from TAs Thamer AlSalem @thameralsalem and Zhan Shi @zhanshi.arch .
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#research #buildingscience #weitzman_arch #weitzmanschool #architecture
Last week, the Bioclimatic Studio traveled to San Francisco and Berkeley to explore climate-responsive design in action.
Students toured the Center for the Built Environment’s testing chambers, joined lectures on thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality, and sensory architecture, and visited the Berkeley Wood Lab to learn about mass timber and circular construction. They also explored the David Brower Center’s building systems—from radiant cooling to recycled water strategies.
In San Francisco, the group met Penn alumni and toured the Salesforce Transit Center, its rooftop park, Golden Gate Park, and more.
Led by Prof. Aviv @thermal_architecture_lab with TA Jiyoon Bae @baejiyoon .
Grateful to all who shared their time, research, and insight with our students.
@s.schiavon Ramon Weber @gail_brager@davidrlehrer@berkeley.woodlab@ucberkeleyarch@weitzman_school@weitzman_arch@weitzman_ebd
#weitzman #weitzman_arch #sustainability #architecture #design
Adithi Garood, a first-year EBD student, has won the inaugural Projio Future of Architecture Scholarship.
@projioagency
The award recognizes her research-driven approach to architecture, climate-responsive thinking, and clear design communication.
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#sustainablity #architecture #design #environmentdesign #weitzman_arch
✨ EBD Faculty Perspectives ✨
Why is Environmental Building Design so important right now?
Our faculty share their thoughts on the urgency of EBD and its role in shaping a more resilient built environment.
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#sustainability #environmentaldesign #weitzmanschool #architecture #weitzman_arch
✨EBD Faculty Perspectives✨
We continue the conversation with EBD faculty as they share a project or exercise from their course that students really enjoy.
Hear more in the parts to follow!
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#sustainability #environmentaldesign #weitzmanschool #architecture #weitzman_arch
✨EBD Faculty Perspectives✨
In this series, EBD faculty respond to the most frequently asked student questions, sharing insights on learning, research, and professional practice.
In the first part, they reflect on the skills students gain in their respective courses.
Stay tuned to hear more!
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#sustainability #environmentaldesign #weitzmanschool #architecture #weitzman_arch
Work in Progress: ARCH 755 EBD Research Methods
Instructors: Prof. William Braham @brahamwww and Prof. Dorit Aviv @thermal_architecture_lab
TAs: Zhan Shi @zhanshi.arch and Thamer Alsalem @thameralsalem
Second-year EBD students shared their ongoing research, which will continue to develop next semester under the guidance of Prof. William Braham and Prof. Dorit Aviv. Projects include exploration of thermal comfort in a building’s buffer zone, a cooling playground, a ventilated wall inspired by termite mounds, thermal design of school courtyards, 3D-printed envelopes for moisture control, and thermal shelter design for fossilized stumps.
Guest critics included Forrest Meggers @chaos_of_forrest , Lorena Grundy, Jihun Kim @isoenv and Eric Teitelbaum @ericteitelbaum@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#bioclimatic #sustainability #architecture #greenbuilding #research #naturalventilation #cfd #simulation #design
EBD students visited Amy Gutmann Hall, Penn Engineering’s new home for data science and AI, to learn how the East Coast’s tallest mass-timber academic building uses low-carbon materials, daylight, and nature-centric design to improve thermal comfort and building performance.
@weitzman_ebd@weitzman_arch@weitzman_school
#weitzman #weitzman_arch #sustainability #architecture #design #greenbuilding #leedgold #amygutmannhall #masstimber #masstimberconstruction
