Masters of Science in Research Practices

MS-RP

Master of Science in Research Practices

University of Minnesota School of Architecture

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SEARCH P RE R TICES AC

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It might seem complicated…

— a degree program — a consortium of firms — collaboratively developed research topics partnerships between architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry competitors — a blurring of the firewall between academia and practice — open exchange of intellectual property — professional licensure regulations — tracking credit and internship hours — matching students, faculty, firms, and ideas But, it’s actually simple…

Together, we are changing the culture of the AEC industry to be STUDENT

research-oriented and evidence-based. The University of Minnesota created a pathway for highly qualified students to be directly tied

FIRM

FACULTY

STUDENT

FIRM

into the strategic priorities of industry leaders. We provide opportunities for brilliant young professionals to fearlessly question industry assumptions. Along the way, we pioneered a path for licensure upon graduation that is now being adopted nationally, and we discovered

SCHOOL

STUDENT

CONSORTIUM

FIRM

a way to increase diversity in our industry.

The Consortium for Research Practices was founded to meet many

NONPROFIT

STUDENT

agendas and address change at many scales. By layering and interweaving complementary priorities, we make progress towards the AEC industry we imagine. Every element in the Consortium is synergistic,

STUDENT

NONPROFIT

leveraged, reciprocal, catalytic. Industry partners mentor the students, giving them access to high-level discussions on strategic directions within the firms. Collectively the firms debate about future trends and projections of new markets and prioritize the gaps most valuable to address. Individual students bring specific skills and can-do attitudes — unburdened by preconceptions of how the industry works.

Collectively the students present a millennial take on technology and society that gives firms direct access to their next generation of clients, partners, and leaders. Faculty leverage expertise gained from years of research and teaching, connecting students and firms with a broad perspective and specific networks. In turn, faculty have a venue to apply and test ideas in “field conditions.”

It’s been 3 years — and 8 firms, 12 faculty, 16 research projects, and 21 students. And counting.

The Consortium for Research Practices is made up of leading members of the building industry who become linked to academia through faculty and students.

Unique compared to other co-op or research groups is the direct match of faculty-student-firm members, forming a strong network to support individual and collective research goals.

Currently the consortium is composed of for-profit firms in the building industry, in the future we may add non-profit partners.

2

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

venues

BROKEN K NOW LE DGE LOOP In-house research positions firm as market expert, limited sharing of proprietary knowledge

CO M P L ETE D K N OW L ED GE LO O P

PRACTICE

ACADEMY

PRACTICE

Research meets University standards for tenure and promotion, dissemination through academic venues

identify issues relevant to profession

new techniques or recommendations based on research

ACADEMY

COMPLE TE D K NOWLEDGE LOO P PRACTICE

identify issues relevant to profession

new techniques or recommendations based on research

ACADEMY

4

The relation between the architectural profession and academia has the potential to be a rich and interactive exchange leading to meaningful advancement of the discipline. MS–RP creates a robust knowledge loop in which the professionals identify problems in the course of practice and academic researchers communicate useful results back to practitioners.

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

What we’ve done

How it works

Changing the culture of AEC:

The foundation of the program rests on research practice internships,

— Through demonstrated value of research, firms can prove worth to

25-hour-per-week research efforts conducted by highly qualified

clients and partners.

— Simply identifying research topics creates dialogue and, for many firms, formal and informal processes have emerged.

students who are either in or have completed architectural professional programs. Fifteen hours per week are paid for and supervised by the firm, 10 hours per week are academic work, done for credit or

— The compelling leadership path attracts diverse students. We partic-

tuition reduction and supervised by faculty. Considered as a whole, the

ularly focus on those students from groups currently underrepre-

25 hours per week over the course of a 15-week semester significantly

sented in our fields.

advances a collectively defined research agenda.

And the best is yet to come. We are starting to see:

Projects can take anywhere from one semester to two years, some-

— Potential for growth to wider AEC industry partners, academically

times engaging multiple students and multiple faculty. Identification

and professionally.

— Ties with research centers and academic partners from a broad range

of a project is done through an interactive process that includes discussion among the firm representatives, individual conversations with

of areas: academic health, biosystems, and sustainable building

the program director, and “lightning round” presentations by firms,

research.

students, and faculty. The matching of interests, qualifications, and

— New possibilities for using federally funded student support to bring in non-profit partners.

logistics occurs in advance of each semester start, and is ongoing for longer-term planning horizons.

— Grant proposals begun on cutting edge topics.

— Potential for partnerships nationally and internationally for a connected network of faculty, firms, and students.

Consortium firms pay an annual $9000 membership fee, and when firms host a student intern, they compensate the student at fair market rate. Membership fees fund student tuition reductions and stipends (effectively making the post-professional degree debt-free) and small stipends for faculty. Overhead and administration is provided as match by the School of Architecture and College of Design. Additional assets such as data analysis and Virtual Reality Design Lab (VRDL) are often supported by the University of Minnesota, but sometimes require additional funding.

6

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Research Projects

Trends affecting the building industry are part of ongoing discussions in multiple forums that encourage the participation of our consortium members, faculty, and students. Research projects are identified in the process of developing this collective awareness and leveraging firms’ internal dialogue around research. The projects included in this booklet originated from a range of sources: faculty research, students’ interests, and the priorities of collaborating firms.

Most often, the process begins with matching the firm’s mediumand long-term strategic goals with the expertise of our faculty and students. Research outcomes tend to fall into two categories: tools and processes. The more tool-oriented outcomes typically involve some level of scripting to create new tools or adapt existing tools. Processoriented outcomes are sometimes scholarly, or might take the form of mapping and other graphic analyses.

Dissemination of the outcomes is central to our research endeavors.

Whether through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, or web publication, research outcomes are designed to advance industry knowledge about critical issues facing our practices.

8

Clinic Metrics

Clinic Planning Models Space Comparison

On-Stage/Off-Stage Planning Model Primary Care Unit RiverWay Clinics - Anoka On-Stage/Off-Stage Model

Primary Care Unit Neighborhood Model

Anoka, MN

Plymouth, MN

Fall 2015 Comparison of Two Clinic Planning Models: An Analysis of On-Stage/Off-Stage and Neighborhood Designs Student: Jeremy Bernardy Consortium Firm: AECOM–Minneapolis Firm Advisors: Greg Mare, Healthcare Practice Leader–Americas

Study Area Staff Area

Rich Lay, Architectural Director, Associate Principal

Corridors

Jim Lewison, Interior Design Director, Associate Principal

Staff Work

Christine Hester Devens, Interior Project Designer, Associate Principal

Exam Rooms Walls/Structure

Kim Williamson, Interior Design Director, Associate Principal Faculty Advisor: Kathleen Harder, PhD, Director of the Center for Design in Health

UP

Total Study Area: Corridors: 244

Typical Exam Room: 120

2194

Typical Exam Room: 110

2

2

2 2 2 UP

2

Total Study Area:

SF

SF

2

Walls/Structure: 125 Staff Work Area:

2188

2 2

2

2 2 2 2

Walls/Structure: 99 Staff Work Area:

2

2 2 2

In the programming phase of new healthcare facilities, it is crucial to plan carefully to ensure the space meets functional, privacy and general wellness needs for both staff and patients.

Major issues influencing the success of outpatient clinic design include the location of exam rooms and office spaces, movement patterns, and wayfinding. These factors impact opera-

On-Stage/Off-Stage Model Primary Care Unit HealthPartners - RiverWay Clinics Anoka, MN

Clinic Metrics

Anoka (OnPlymouth (

On-Stage/Off-Stage Planning Model Primary Care Unit RiverWay Clinics - Anoka

Exam Rooms Corridors 958.5 881.2

244 439

Staff Work Area 860.5 774.7

Staff Circulation Desk/Work Space Anoka Staff 486 375 Plymouth S 357 417.8

tional costs and overall efficiency of any new clinic space. This research focuses on two outpatient clinics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area that were designed using two innovative planning layouts: on-stage/off-stage (separating patient path from clinician path) and neighborhood design (organizing the clinic staff into collective clusters).

The project aims to investigate ways in which the clinic models fosters or hinders effective

Anoka (OnPlymouth (

Exam Rooms Corridors 958.5 881.2

Anoka Staff Plymouth S

Staff Circulation Desk/Work Space 486 375 357 417.8

2,188 SF

244 439

Staff Work Area Walls/Structure 860.5 124.5 774.7 99

Staff Work

861 SF

Anoka (OnPlymouth (

Corridors

244 SF

information for the industry’s planning of future projects.

486 SF

Anoka (On-Stage/Off-Stage)

Anoka Staff Area

Anoka (On-Stage/Off-Stage)

care delivery as well as implications for associated costs. Our results will generate valuable

Walls/StrucStaff Work Corridors Exam Rooms 124.5 860.5 244 958.5 99 774.7 439 881.2

6%

6% Exam Rooms 44%

39%

375 SF

Corridors Staff Work Area

44%

44%

Staff Circulation

56%

39% Desk/Work Space

Walls/Structure 958 SF

11%

11% Plymouth (Neighborhood)

Plymouth Staff Area

5%

35%

40%

Exam Rooms Corridors

46%

Staff Circulation

Plymouth (Neighborhood) Above: Student analysis of the two non-traditional clinic layout types — on-stage/off-stage and neighborhood.

Below: Area study of space use in on-stage/off-stage clinic.

10

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

S IE OR

IE

d we t A llo No

MAX 60’

MAX 60’

27

18

,0

,0

00

00

SF

2

SF

ST

OR ST 3

MAX 60’

Student: Elliot Olney Consortium Firm: HGA

UNPROTECTED WOOD FRAME

Wood: Rediscovered for the 21st Century

V-B

S

Spring 2015

12

Y OR

OR

SF

ST

00

1

SF

,0

00

38

,5 34

Y

IE

S

MAX 70’

MAX 70’

OR

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SF

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SF

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,0

MAX 85’

48

45

MAX 85’ S IE OR

MAX 75’ S

MAX 75’

No

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SF

ST 3 SF 00 ,0 57

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MAX 85’ Y OR

SF 00 ,0 SF 00 45 d ite lim ite

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A L L S Q U A R E F O O TA G E P E R S T O R Y

SF

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MAX 180’

O C C U PA N C Y T Y P E : I - 2 H O S P I TA L

lim

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lim

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SF

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MAX 180’

SF d ite lim Un lim Un

O C C U PA N C Y T Y P E : A - 2 P E R F O R M A N C E S PA C E

ST

OR

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S

IE

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MAX 85’

2,

MAX 85’

50

0

46

,5

SF

,0

00

3

4

SF

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ST

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OR

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IE

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MAX 75’

69

MAX 75’

,0

44

28

00

,5

SF

00

1

3

SF

ST

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IE

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OR

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85

MAX 85’

,5

42

00

,0

SF

00

1

4

SF

ST

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S IE OR ST 6

MAX 85’ OR ST 4

MAX 75’ IE OR ST 6

MAX 85’ S IE OR ST 12

I-B

FIRE RESISTIVE NON-COMBUSTIBLE

I-A

To provide context for the study of direct wood replacement for three completed projects (hospital, performing arts center, office building), the student generated a matrix showing occupancy type, construction type, and massing. Actual construction strategies are in dotted squares, and a hypothetical exposed wood structural frame is highlighted in yellow.

FIRE RESISTIVE NON-COMBUSTIBLE

II-A

C O N S T R U C T I O N T Y P E - TA B L E 5 0 3 - F U L LY S P R I N K L E D

II-B

and aesthetic enhancements for the beautification of space.

O C C U PA N C Y T Y P E : B OFFICE BUILDING

III-A

the carbon balance, but also provided viable options for standardized construction methods

PROTECTED COMBUSTIBLE

explored integrated wood systems within a prototype project in a way that not only lowered

UNPROTECTED NON-COMBUSTIBLE

input from architects, engineers, and contractors from HGA and Mortenson Construction. It

PROTECTED NON-COMBUSTIBLE

thropogenic benefits through the aesthetic of a natural material. The investigation included

ST 4 SF 0 00 8,

S IE OR ST 4

MAX 75’

the relationship of bay size and program flexibility, long-span structural systems, and an-

MAX 180’

III-B

be applied to a variety of occupancy types. Using these types, a prototype project explores

UNPROTECTED COMBUSTIBLE

investigation followed newly engineered wood products and their methods of construction to

ST 3 SF 00 ,0 54

S

learning how they can better serve clients while maintaining industry pace in material research by integrating wood as a primary structural material into their current practice. This

IE

S IE OR ST 4 IE OR ST 6

10

dustry’s oldest building materials: wood. HGA Architects and Engineers was interested in

MAX 85’

Recent engineering advances have opened up new structural potential for one of our in-

IV

Andrea Johnson, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture

H E AV Y T I M B E R

Faculty Advisors: Blaine Brownell, Associate Professor, School of Architecture

11

Tony Staegner, Engineer

MAX 70’

V-A

Jim Moore, Associate Vice President

PROTECTED WOOD FRAME

S

Firm Advisors: Alex Terzich, Architect Amy Douma, LEED AP Design Principal

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2014 Free Range Learning in Elementary Education F.R.E.E. Cuningham Group | North Park Elementary | University of Minnesota Student: Dan DeVeau

4

Consortium Firm: Cuningham Group

4

Firm Advisors: Meg Parsons, AIA, Principal

3

John Pfluger, AIA, Principal Faculty Advisors: John Comazzi, Associate Professor of Architecture

3

3

Renee Cheng, Professor and Associate Dean of Research

This research assessed the impact of specific design elements on the effectiveness of teaching and learning. The team was interested in how the design elements of a series of ren-

2

2

2

tury skills for communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. We created

1

ovated classrooms supported North Park Elementary School’s goals of fostering 21st-cena rigorous, in-depth, and longitudinal case study analysis that highlighted innovative approaches to collaborative design for the creation of active learning environments in conjunction with specific models of education. We did field observations of students and teachers, performed mapping analysis of their use of space and furniture, and interviewed parents,

Surfaces

1

1

students, teachers, administrators, and designers.

Movement and cluster mapping in three different classroom configurations. Dark red lines indicate smartboard surfaces, a tracked area where students moved over time is shown in yellow, and locations of teachers are marked with red dots, with red lines showing their movement. Numbers mark the student cohorts that joined and separated over the course of a day.

14

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Building Resilience: A Framework to Quantify and Assess Resilience Student: Fiona Wholey Consortium Firm: Perkins + Will, Mortenson Construction Firm Advisors: Perkins + Will: Rick Hintz, Principal Meredith Hayes, Architect Russell Philstrom, Project Architect Doug Pierce, Senior Associate and Architect

16

+

+

Renewable Energy

Complementary

Increase Trees + Vegetation

Green Roof

The student developed a three-part graphic toolkit to support the new firm-wide resilience framework. Shown here is the middle part of the kit, which addresses hazard preparedness. The visual tool is a quick way for designers to work with clients and partners to identify benefits, costs, and incentives so that they can compare multiple strategies at the early stage of design.

Exterior Shading Devices

Research Journal and others presented at national conferences.

Passive Cooling*

search has been accepted in several papers after blind peer-review, one published in PW

High Performance Envelope

buildings, an office and a hospital located in the Midwest. The work stemmed from this re-

Heat Retention

by Perkins and Will, serves as the basis for testing this new framework using two schematic

Water and Power Outages

to develop a more inclusive framework to evaluate resilience. The ReLi Tool, in development

Operable Windows

ment frameworks for disaster mitigation and integrates sustainability and climate change

On-Site Storage

risk for communities and building owners. This study builds upon existing resilience assess-

Building Form

ient design from a cost-based hierarchy to one that includes societal benefits and reduced

Backup Power

buildings. By increasing the scope of discourse, we seek to reframe the discussion of resil-

Incentives Benefits

climate change and provide emphasis on principles of sustainability in the design of resilient

Cost

This project expands existing resilience frameworks to incorporate the changing risks from

Hazards

Design Program, IDP, School of Architecture

Design Strategy

Faculty Advisors: Jim Lutz, Lecturer, Co-Director MS Sustainable

HAzARd PRePARedness

Mortenson Construction: Clark Taylor, Vice President

*Passive cooling strategies include Shading, Green Roof, Trees + Vegetation

Fall 2014, Spring 2015

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2014 FRINGE FAB start here

Student: Christina Stark Consortium Firm: HGA Firm Advisors: Alex Terzich, Architect

Y

is the product or process outside of the mainstream?

Amy Douma, LEED AP Design Principal

N

Jim Moore, Associate Vice President Tony Staegner, Engineer Faculty Advisor: Andrea Johnson, Assistant Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture

Y

does it fit with the design intent?

N Our aim in this research was to produce a toolkit to be used by HGA Architects and Engineers to identify viable “fringe” materials and guide them in locating the information necessary to

Y

has it been used successfully before?

N

be able to propose the material for a project. The research identified innovative market-viable materials, collected the relevant information about selected materials to be communicated to the firm, and provided context for the material or manufacturing process that gives

Y

has it been used in other industries?

N

a deeper understanding of the product’s history and challenges of proposing the product for a project. The information provided primarily concerned a material’s properties, its benefits and limitations, and sourcing and installation.

Y

Y

is it economical?

(relative to industry standards)

Y

good choice

does it have potential for architectural applications?

N

N

does it add value?

N

does it fit with the culture of the firm?

Map of an ideal decision-making process to determine the viability of new materials in HGA projects. The process of creating this map helped to identify the nature and structure of the desired culture of material practice that the firm wished to instill.

18

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

ciently.

C

B

3 300.14

QUANTITY INFORMATION WORK ACTIVITY CARPENTER QUANTITIES

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

3

0'

- 11

1/2"

FORM WORK

4.1

LABOR QUANTITIES CONCRETE WORK

4

0'

2

EMBED PLATES SIZE

1/2" 7'

- 3"

0' - 8"

Level 1 0' - 0" SOG - 5"

-1' - 7 1/2" 1/16"

- 1"

- 3"

Tulalip Tribes Hotel & Conference Center Project

-1' - 8"

5' - 8 1/2"

1' - 6 1/2"

7' - 3" - 4" NUMBER

EMBED ANGLES SIZE

QTY.

NUMBER

ANCHOR BOLTS SIZE

3

QTY.

Project Address: 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd.

Tulalip, Wa. 98271

300.14

- 1"

QTY.

- 11

1/2"

7'

Anchor Bolts Box Outs

EMBED INFORMATION NUMBER

- 11

1/2"

6'

0'

- 11

-7

SIZE

0'

QTY.

5'

ITEM Rebar Formsavers Sleeves

0'

300.14

MATERIAL ONSITE LIST

REQ'D

15/16

6'

"

Project Phone #: 360-654-2262

-7

1/2"

Drawing Review

3/8"

-6

-3

DESCRIPTION BEAMS, COLUMNS, REINFORCED CONCRETE, SUPPORTED SLABS TUNNEL ROOF SLAB SPREAD FOOTINGS, WALL FOOTINGS, WALLS, GRADE BEAMS, PIERS, SUPPORTED SLABS ON COMPOSITE METAL DECK & LINEAR ACCELERATOR VAULT

Footing @ G.1 & 3

2'

TYPE B-Xypex CLSM ALT CLSM

AREA P,S - FOUNDATION WALLS, ELEVATOR PIT/TUNNEL WALLS BACKFILL OTHER THAN COMPACTED FILL BACKFILL OTHER THAN COMPACTED FILL (PUMPABLE)

POUR RATE

P= 150 +

1/2"

TYPE. TYPE A TYPE A-Xypex TYPE B

MIX XT9014 3000 PSI MIX 2709 N/A PSI MIX T2708 N/A PSI

-1

MIX STRENGTH MIX T3045 4000 PSI MIX XT3045 4000 PSI MIX T9014 3000 PSI

AIR TEMP. 60 or > AIR TEMP. 40 or 59 AIR TEMP. 20 or 39

2'

1'

CONCRETE MIX DESIGNS

REQ'D

27'

VDC INVESTMENT CAN BE WASTED IF IT IS NOT EFFECTIVELY TRANSLATED TO THE FIELD.

9000R T

6' / HR 5' / HR

P = LATERAL PRESSURE , PSE R = RATE OF PLACEMENT , FT/HR

4' / HR

T = TEMP OF CONCRETE IN FORMS , Deg F

G

0' - 10 1/2"

0' - 8"

Name

Position

N Kurth

Design Coord.

P Greany

Project Eng.

J Jones

Superintendant

Y

N

NA

B Remmen Superintendant 2

3

Dock Leveler Section 2 1/2" = 1'-0"

No.

Description

Date

G.1

1 200.17

1

G.8

Dock leveler depressions plan 3/16" = 1'-0"

403.06

Integrated work plans combine several types of information providing “assembly instructions” for a given scope of work.

Architect: RPA

6

G.1

General Contractor: Mortenson

G

Spring 2014 VR and Construction: Investigating the Potential of Immersive Virtual Reality Technologies in the Operations of Mortenson Construction

Structural Engineer: DCI Interior Designer: IDI

2 300.14

Electrical: Valley 2' - 7 15/16" 6' - 1"

Student: Will Adams

0' - 7 1/16"

5' - 4"

6' - 1"

Plumbing: Apollo

Level 1 0' - 0"

Hydronic/HVAC: Hermanson 0' - 8"

Depth Varies (TYP)

0' - 8"

0' - 8"

0' - 8"

Fire Protection: SFS

Footing @ G.1 & 3

06050015

Project number Date Drawn by

3

Dock Leveler Section 3 1/4" = 1'-0"

4

1/9/2009 2:11:27 AM Author

300.14

Dock Leveler 3D Scale

As indicated

Consortium Firm: Mortenson Construction Firm Advisors: Ricardo Kahn, Director of Integrated Construction

All job site personnel are trained to use the Navisworks software, allowing anyone access to the most comprehensive source of information at any time.

Taylor Cupp, Senior Integrated Construction Coordinator Faculty Advisors: Andrea Johnson, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture Lee Anderson, Associate Professor, School of Architecture Renee Cheng, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, School of Architecture

A tablet computer, linked to the BIM, used to record and verify locations of in-wall services, streamlines the punchlist process and reduces the amount of work which falls through the cracks.

This research combined three related but distinct components. The first component involved spatial cognition in virtual reality. We carried out an extensive review of the literature on spatial cognition in virtual reality; designed, executed, and documented an experiment involving 40 subjects; and analyzed the data. The second component was the planning of a portable kit that facilitates an immersive virtual environment. The third component was a description of how emerging immersive virtual reality technology can complement and expand Mortenson’s

TRADITIONALLY, DETAILING ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED IN THE FIELD, WITH LITTLE INFORMATION AVAILABLE. DIGITAL PROTOTYPING HELPS PREDICT ISSUES AND ADDRESS THEM WITH THE BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION.

Highly detailed, micro level 4D simulations allowed Mortenson to shave 2 months off the schedule of the Colorado Justice Center & avoid an estimated $2.5 million in rework.

virtual design construction activities.

Virtual mock-ups allowed the team to understand design intent, make decisions, and procure materials more rapidly on the Central Washington Hospital, which was completed 10 weeks ahead of schedule and $7 million under budget.

Mortenson saved the Denver Art Museum $400,000 by resolving over 1200 clashed before the steel arrived and getting the steel erected 3 months early.

Quick overview of virtual design construction outlining its current effectiveness in construction. An understanding of the current state helped to illuminate how new tools such as virtual reality would enhance or complement other digital tools.

20

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Spring 2014

LCA TOOLS

Material Sustainability: Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of Building Materials

BEES

Athena

Tally

Student: Kaylyn Kirby Consortium Firm: MSR Firm Advisors: Tom Meyer, Principal and Architect Chris Wingate, Associate and Designer Simona Fischer, Designer Rhys MacPherson, Senior Associate and Designer Jack Poling, Principal and Architect

+

+

Rachelle Schoessler Lynn, Interior Designer and Senior Associate Faculty Advisor: Blaine Brownell, Associate Professor, School of Architecture =vs =

This project aimed to reconcile existing environmental impact tools—lifecycle analysis—

= vs =

= vs =

=

vs

=

Direct Comparison

with current material research done at the firm MSR. Our research outcome was a robust Database:

methodology that could be used by the firm, in conjunction with designers and clients, to make educated material decisions appropriate to a specific situation, keeping in mind human health, and the environment. We compared the benefits and drawbacks of several commer-

230+ products

1200+ materials

-Whole building assessment - Assembly assessment - Accurate sq. footage + geometry - Easy option comparison - 3D model visualization

-Whole building assessment - Assembly assessment - Simple wall impact assessment - Compare options - No building visualization

- Quick Material/product comparison - Assess Impacts between options

Capabilities\ Strengths

800 material entries - 19,000 permutations possible

cially available tools used in architectural design. One tool in particular, TALLY, was further tested and customized using active and past case studies from MSR’s portfolios. Working closely with project teams, consultants, and firm leadership, we drew upon a national network of faculty, practitioners, and software developers to create a selected set of tools for MSR, customized from the wide range of capacities built into TALLY, and used feedback from

WHOLE BUILDING ANALYSIS

this research to further the development of TALLY.

Results per CSI Division Itasca Itasca Biological Biological Research Research Station Station & Laboratories & Laboratories

Aeon Aeon &QUARTER Hope & Hope South South Quarter Phase Phase IV IV AEON SOUTH IV Quarter

ITASCA BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH STATION AND LABORATORIES

Above: the first phase of the research, which looked at three lifecycle analysis tools: BEES, Athena, and Tally. The student compared them for their depth of analysis, ease of use for designers, and level of integration between building elements, wall system, and building system.

Below: Tally was selected for the second-phase comparison of two projects in the office. Tally’s interface was customized to highlight relevant information used by designers.

Gross Gross Square Square Feet: Feet:

3%

11,250 11,250 ft² ft²

OPERATING OPERATING11% ENERGY ENERGY 7% EMBODIED EMBODIED ENERGY ENERGY Global Global Warming Warming Results per CSI Division Potential Potential Years Years for for Operational Operational Energy Energy to meet to meet Embodied Embodied 37%

677677 MJ/ft² MJ/ft²

11%

12%

1724% 17 kBTU/ft² kBTU/ft² (site) (site)

100%

463,845 463,845 kgCO2eq kgCO2eq

304304 kBTU/ft² kBTU/ft² 44,812,793 44,812,793 kBTU kBTU 3,857950 3,857950 kBTU kBTU

26.2 26.2 kgCO2eq/ft² kgCO2eq/ft²

37.7 37.7 Years Years

0.207 kgSO2eq/ft²

0.029 kgNeq/ft²

2,325 kgSO2eq

317.3 kgNeq

Global Warming Potential

50%

42.4 1.34 E-6 kgCO2eq/ft² CFC-11eq/ft² 476,997 kgCO2eq

0.0151 CFC-11eq

3.01 O3eq/ft² 33,916 O3eq

673.9 MJ/ft² 7,581,847 MJ

9.89.8 Years Years

566.9 MJ/ft²

107.0 MJ/ft²

6,377,922 MJ

1,203,924 MJ

100%

7,028,444 kg

0.0972 kgSO2eq/ft²

0.0135 kgNeq/ft²

14,317 kgSO2eq

1,987 kgNeq

26.199 5.1 E-7 kgCO2eq/ft² CFC-11eq/ft² 3,857,761 kgCO2eq

0.07459 CFC-11eq

1.46 O3eq/ft² 214,932 O3eq

321 MJ/ft² 4.728E+007 MJ

284 MJ/ft²

37.18 MJ/ft²

4.180E+007 MJ

5,474,944 MJ

Primary Energy Demand

GROSS GROSS SQUARE SQUARE FOOT FOOT

TOTAL TOTAL GLOBAL GLOBAL WARMING WARMING POTENTIAL POTENTIAL kgCO2eq kgCO2eq

TOTAL TOTAL EMBODIED EMBODIED ENERGY ENERGY MJ MJ

50%

TOTAL TOTAL EMBODIED EMBODIED ENERGY ENERGY kBTU kBTU

(YEAR) (YEAR) TOTAL TOTAL OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL ENERGY ENERGY kBTU kBTU

50%

Legend CSI Divisions 03 - Concrete

0%

04 - Masonry

Mass

05 - Metals

Acidification Potential

Eutrophication Potential

Global Warming Ozone Depletion Smog Formation Potential Potential Potential

Primary Energy Demand

Non-renewable Energy

0%

Renewable Energy

Mass

Acidification Potential

Eutrophication Potential

Global Warming Ozone Depletion Smog Formation Potential Potential Potential

Primary Energy Demand

Non-renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

06 - Wood/Plastics/Composites 07 - Thermal and Moisture Protection

11,250 11,250 ft² ft²

08 - Openings and Glazing 09 - Finishes

Legend

147,250 147,250 ft² ft²

463,845 463,845 kgCO2eq kgCO2eq

3,857,761 3,857,761 kgCO2eq kgCO2eq

7,611,365 7,611,365 MJ MJ

47,280,000 47,280,000 7,214,182 7,214,182 MJ MJ Legend Kbtu Kbtu

03 - Concrete

03 - Concrete

04 - Masonry

04 - Masonry

4,564,750 4,564,750 Kbtu Kbtu

06 - Wood/Plastics/Composites 07 - Thermal and Moisture Protection

07 - Thermal and Moisture Protection

08 - Openings and Glazing

08 - Openings and Glazing

Global Global Warming Warming Potential Potential kgCO2eq/ft² kgCO2eq/ft²

191,250 191,250 kBTU kBTU

05 - Metals

05 - Metals 06 - Wood/Plastics/Composites

09 - Finishes

44,812,793 44,812,793 kBTU kBTU

CSI Divisions

CSI Divisions

22

4,564,750 4,564,750 kBTU kBTU

321321 MJ/ft² MJ/ft²

14%

3%

844,099 kg

31 31 kBTU/ft² kBTU/ft² (site) (site)

641641 kBTU/ft² kBTU/ft² 7,214,182 7,214,182 kBTU kBTU

41.2 41.2 kgCO2eq/ft² kgCO2eq/ft² 6%

12%

147,250 147,250 ft² ft²

2%

191,250 191,250 kBTU kBTU

7%

09 - Finishes

EMBODIED EMBODIED ENERGY ENERGY MJ/ft² MJ/ft²

EMBODIED EMBODIED ENERGY ENERGY kBTU/ft² kBTU/ft²

OPERATING OPERATING ENERGY ENERGY kBTU/ft² kBTU/ft²

Years Years for for Operational Operational energy energy to to meet meet Embodied Embodied

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Spring 2014 Data and Parametric Design: How Parametric Simulation and Data Visualization Can Inform Designers of the Implications of Their Iterations Student: Daniel Raznick Consortium Firm: Perkins + Will Firm Advisors: Rick Hintz, Principal Meredith Hayes Gordon, Architect Tony Layne, Co-Director of our Sustainable Design Initiative (SDI) Andrew Salveson, Designer Faculty Advisor: Marc Swackhamer, Associate Professor and Head of School, School of Architecture

In this research project we examined how parametric tools can be seamlessly woven into a typical iterative design process to inform designers of the implications of performance criteria such as energy, daylight, and other factors such as views and cost. We used customized and off-the-shelf commercial tools in a project which was active in schematic design phase, and carried out interviews with designers, consultants, software specialists, and others. Our research outcome was a method utilizing a series of parametric tools to inform the development of glazing on the primary facades.

For north-facing and south-facing faรงades, different design priorities have potentially contradictory optimal ranges of glass. This research does not try to optimize across all factors, but instead facilitates the iterative design process by making the optimal glass placement for each criterion clear.

24

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2013–Fall 2014 Project Delivery Toward the Future Students: Amy Ennen (1 semester, fall 2013) Matt Tierney (2 semesters, Spring/Fall 2014) Consortium Firms: Mortenson Construction, DLR Group Firm Advisors: Mortenson: Derek Cunz, Vice President and General Manager Kate Golden, Vice President, Senior Counsel DLR: Chris Gibbs, Principal

“

“

LESSONS LEARNED

The data also reveal, at a higher level, that successful teams share several defining characteristics:

1. Everyone on the team talks and listens in roughly equal measure, keeping contributions short and sweet.

2. Members face one another, and their conversations and gestures are energetic.

3. Members connect directly with one another, not just with the team leader.

Dennis Bane, Principal

4. Members carry on back-channel or side conversations within the team.

Faculty Advisors: Renee Cheng, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, School of Architecture

5. Members periodically break, go exploring outside the team, and bring information back.

Andrea Johnson, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture

CAN HARSH CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTRICTIONS ON A COMPLEX PROJECT BE OVERCOME BY CLARITY OF ROLES, COMMUNICATION TOOLS, AND TEAM EXPERIENCE? DOES IT REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF DISPUTES?

Measuring and predicting effectiveness in project delivery is complex and poorly understood.

This project was the first of a several-semester-long project that sought to better understand

ENVIRONMENT 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

COMMTOOL

project delivery during the construction process. The overall goal was to determine metrics that will allow professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry to

COMPLEXITY

2.90

ENVIRONMENT 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

2.70 COMMTOOL

2.50

TEAM EXP

2.30

PERFORMANC E

2.10

OVERALL AVG COMPLEXITY

1.90

DISPUTES

2.90 2.70 2.50

TEAM EXP

CLARITY

PERFORMANC E

2.10

OVERALL AVG

1.70

1.70

more accurately predict results and achieve higher levels of success. The first semester of

2.30

1.90

DISPUTES

CLARITY

1.50

1.50 1

1

= + - +

work on the project established a framework and methodology for active monitoring of multiple project teams during the construction phase, subsequent semesters continued the work resulting in presentation of preliminary results at a peer-reviewed AIA conference. Later phases of the research will include recruiting and active monitoring of over two dozen project teams, performing intake interviews, and setting up systems for data collection.

2.90

ENVIRONMENT 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

COMMTOOL

ENVIRONMENT 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

2.70

COMPLEXITY

COMMTOOL

2.50

TEAM EXP

DISPUTES

2.30

PERFORMANC E

2.10

OVERALL AVG COMPLEXITY

1.90

2.90 2.70 2.50

TEAM EXP

PERFORMANC E

2.10

OVERALL AVG

1.90

DISPUTES

1.70

1.70 CLARITY

2.30

CLARITY

1.50

1.50 1

1

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: IN COMPLEX PROJECTS, USING INNOVATIVE AND OFTEN UN TESTED COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CAN IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF A TEAM. THE NEWNESS INSPIRES THE TEAM TO USE IT CREATIVELY? TEAM EXPERIENCE DOESN'T SEEM TO LOWER THE AMOUNT OF DISPUTES CLARITY SEEMS TO INCREASE OVERALL PERFORMANCE.

1

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The analogy illustrated in the lower images is that gumbo or jazz can be successful with a wide variety of ingredients and combinations.

6

16

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0.50 0.40

17

13

4

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21

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0.50

0.40

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The scope of this project ranged from qualitative data drawn from interviews to quantitative data gained from surveys of the project teams. The goal of the research was to provide a holistic picture of dynamic factors contributing to team success; it did not assume a universal formula for success.

21

5

0.50

20

24

3

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12 13

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2013 Health 10, Equity 18

Site Epidemiology: Tools for Understanding Rural Health Care Challenges at their Root Student: Matt Tierney Consortium Firms: Perkins + Will

eco

CR 6.7

% Rooms with connection to natural world

Water 10

Building + Site

9

Water Energy Waste Site Construction IEQ Total AVG

8 7

Totals 8.3 5.0 9.3 5.7 3.1 3.9 35.3 5.9

KGSA SAFEHOUSE

3

6 IEQ

Energy

5

1

4 3 2 1 0

8.3 5.0 9.3 5.7 3.1 3.9 35.3

Cultural Understanding Bio-Climatic Understanding Community Engagement Efficiency Total Avg

Waste

2 Site

8.6 5.0 9.1 6.8 29.5

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

Efficiency Community Engagement Bio-Climatic Understanding

Construction Mgmt

Cultural Understanding 0.0

7.4

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

Feasibility + Planning

project delivery

Meredith Hayes Gordon, Architect

Cost People Communication Construction Mgmt Safety Politics Total AVG

3

Cost 10

Jamuna Golden, Landscape Architect

9

Politics Safety Construction Mgmt Communication People Cost

People

0.0

7.1

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

7 6

Politics

Category

People

5 4

Total possible

Percentage

35.3

59%

40

Culture + Context

1

Feasibility + Planning

0

Achieved

60

Building + Site

3 2

Totals

Design Program, IDP, School of Architecture

Communication

5.3 7.5 7.5 6.0 6.0 10.0 42.3

8

Totals 5.3 7.5 7.5 6.0 6.0 10.0 42.3 7.1

Faculty Advisors: Jim Lutz , Lecturer, Co-Director MS Sustainable

Optimal

Tier 4

80-100%

Tier 3

60-80%

Tier 2

40-60%

Tier 1

20-40%

Marginal Success

20%

Pre Requisites Met

29.5

74%

60

42.3

71%

160

107.1

67%

Baseline

Satisfactory Significant Success

Building + Site

1

John Comazzi, Associate Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture

Water Energy Waste Site Construction IEQ Total AVG

8.3 5.0 9.3 5.7 3.1 3.9 35.3

Safety

Communication

IEQ Construction Site Waste Energy Construction Management Water 0.0

5.9

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

2

type: dormitory/school extension duration: ongoing (fundraising stage) location: Kibera slums, Nairobi, Kenya organization: KGSA size: 16,000 sq ft cost: ~ $350,000

Cultural Understanding Bio-Climatic Understanding MAN 11 Community Engagement Efficiency Total Avg

Efficiency Community Engagement

community Pre 8.1

Totals

Minimal maintenance is designed into the building and landscape systems

Bio-Climatic Understanding

Construction Mgmt

Cultural Understanding Cultural Understanding 10.0

7.4

Feasibility + Planning 8.6

3

Safety

8.6 5.0 9.1 6.8 29.5

0.0

9.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

8.0 7.0

5.0 Cost 9.1 People 6.8 29.5 Communication 7.4 Construction Mgmt Safety Politics Total AVG

Water 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

Politics

10.0

Culture + Context

Renee Cheng, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, School of Architecture

teams working remotely having access to certain local information. This research used a case

0.0

5.9

Culture + Context Construction

Firm Advisors: Rick Hintz, Principal

U.S.-based architectural firms engaged in projects overseas can benefit from their design

IEQ Construction Site Waste Energy Water

5.3 7.5 7.5 6.0 6.0 Efficiency 10.0 42.3 7.1

Communication

6.0

Politics5.0 Safety4.0 Construction Mgmt3.0 Communication2.0 1.0 People0.0 Cost

Energy Waste

Site

Construction

People

IEQ

Bio-Climatic Understanding

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

Cost

Cultural Understanding Efficiency

Category

study of a pro-bono clinic in Africa designed by architects from several offices of Perkins and

Total possible

Achieved

Percentage

Tier 4

80-100%

Optimal

60

35.3

59%

Tier 3

60-80%

Satisfactory

Building + Site Feasibility + Planning Totals

Significant Success

Tier 2

40-60%

60

42.3

71%

Tier 1

20-40%

Marginal Success

160

107.1

67%

Baseline

20%

Pre Requisites Met

40

Culture + Context

Will, a project that did not have a budget for designers to visit the site in person. The outcome

29.5

74%

Community Engagement

Bio-Climatic Understanding Community Engagement

Clinic

of the research was a field guide for Perkins and Will’s social responsibility initiative to understand the context of building in the Serengeti Plains. We developed a working beta-level tool

2

1

3

3

for mining reliable data relevant to the designer, including information on climate, socio-cultural context, economic context, material resources, and building conventions and regula-

|

Health 10, Equity 18 Health 10, Equity 18

Health 10, Equity 18 % Rooms with connection to natural world

CR 6.7

CR 6.7

Totals 6.5 9.0 5.8 6.4 5.3 5.2 38.3 6.4

the development of the tool. Extracting these data in a highly selective graphic format, the

6 5

IEQ

Energy

4 3

database is intended for designers to use during schematic design. Subsequent application

2 1 0

4 3 2 1 0

Construction Construction

7 6 IEQ

Energy

5 4 3 2 1 0

Construction

Waste

7

Totals 8.3 5.0 9.3 5.7 3.1 3.9 35.3 5.9

10 6

IEQ IEQ

Energy Energy

58 46 34 2

2

1

00

Construction Construction

Waste

Waste Waste

Waste

Site Site

Site

Site Site

of the tool has expanded beyond the firm’s social responsibility initiative to include the commercial healthcare sector.

Cost

Cost Cost

9

9 8

project delivery

7 6

Politics

People

5 4 3 2 1 0

Safety

Totals 9.7 6.3 3.3 9.0 6.0 5.0 39.3 6.5

8 7

MAN 11

3 2 1 0

Safety

Communication

MAN 4 Minimal maintenance is designed into the building and landscape MAN 11 systems

Pre 8.1

8.0

community

6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 0.0

8 7

3 2 1 0

Safety

6.0 5.0

Bio-Climatic Understanding

4.0 3.0

Communication

8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 Efficiency

0.0

Community Engagement

Community Engagement

People People

22 11 00

Safety Safety

Communication Communication

Management Construction Management

Pre 8.1

Minimal maintenance is designed into the building and landscape systems

Cultural Understanding 10.0 9.0 8.0

Totals 10.0 10.0 2.9 6.8 29.7 7.4

7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0

1.0

Bio-Climatic Understanding

66 55 44 33

MAN Minimal maintenance is designed into the building and11 landscape systems

Pre 8.1

Cost Cost

88 77

Politics Politics

9.0

2.0 0.0

7.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 10.0 31.2 42.3 5.2 7.1

Cultural Understanding 10.0

Totals 8.6 5.0 9.1 6.8 29.5 7.4

1.0 Efficiency

Totals Totals 6.7 5.3 7.5 7.5

People2.5

Construction Management

Detailed user guide of landscape and building provided in mainly graphic format Minimal maintenance is designed into the building MAN 11and landscape systems

7.0

5 4

9.0 8.0

10.0 8.6 5.0 4.0 27.6 6.9

6

Politics

Cultural Understanding 10.0

Totals

1.0 Efficiency

7.5 6.0 6.0 10.0 42.3 7.1

Communication

Pre 8.1

9.0 7.0

9

Totals 5.3 7.5 People

Construction Management

Cultural Understanding 10.0

10.0 7.1 7.0 6.4 30.5 7.6

5 4

Construction Management

Totals

6

Politics

10 10 99

10

10

10

Totals 4.6 8.8 7.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 38.3 6.4

Sample spider graphs showing project needs along a range of axes. Three areas were studied: ecological context in green (water, waste, indoor air quality, site), project delivery in blue (cost, safety, communication, construction management), and cultural context in yellow (cultural expectations, community engagement, bio-climatic comfort). The higher the scale on the axis, the more influential the factor was in determining design goals.

% Rooms with connection to natural world % Rooms with connection to natural world

8 12

8

5 IEQ

14 9

9

Totals 8.3 Energy 5.0 9.3 5.7 3.1 3.9 35.3 5.9

M A Z Z E T T I

Water

Water 16 10

Water 10

7 6

Totals 8.0 6.7 5.5 7.4 6.6 3.6 37.7 6.3

CR 6.7 CR 6.7

Equity 18 % Rooms with connection toHealth natural10, world

CR 6.7

% Rooms with connection to natural world Water 8

Water 9 8 7

eco

tions. We used interviews with designers, consultants, and software specialists to inform

Bio-Climatic Understanding

Efficiency

0.0

Bio-Climatic Understanding

Community Engagement

Community Engagement

The more well-rounded spider graph footprints indicate more holistic sets of factors that should be considered synthetically; the less-balanced footprints indicate a limited number of strong design drivers.

28

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2013, Spring 2014 Tuned Surfaces: Incorporating Digital Simulation and Physical Prototyping in the Design of Acoustically Performative Side Wall Panels Student: Philip Bussey Consortium Firm: HGA Firm Advisors: Amy Douma, LEED AP Design Principal Jim Moore, Associate Vice President Rob Good, Associate Vice President and Senior Project Architect Alex Terzich, Architect Faculty Advisor: Marc Swackhamer, Associate Professor and Head of School, School of Architecture

This project focused on a variable formed panel having potential for acoustic applications developed by Marc Swackhamer, a faculty member in the School of Architecture. Given the new system’s potential to produce inexpensive customized panels with specific acoustical properties, this research effort investigated how designers could leverage it in the design of the side walls of a music performance hall. We found the primary obstacle for designers to be the lag time between design sketch and the results of the acoustical analysis.

The research produced a custom scripted tool that graphically simplified the source and receptor, allowing the designer to alter the pattern of the wall panels interactively. Beginning with the complex tools used by the acoustical consultants, we developed a simplified tool with information most relevant to designers. The outcomes of this research included the beta-level tool, physical and digital mock-ups of a hypothetical redesign for a surface in the completed project (the Ordway Theater and Northrup Auditorium in the Twin Cities), and an analysis of how the project would benefit from the variable “tuned” surface.

Above: Section through the Ordway Theater, with red indicating acoustically absorptive surfaces and blue indicating diffusive surfaces.

Below: Installation and detail of the VarVac panels showing openings backed with acoustically absorptive material.

30

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2011, Spring 2012

ABOUT THE STUDY A UNIQUE COLLABORATION

Energy Modeling Methodology

PROJECT TIMELINE EQUEST AND IES VE COMPARISON

Student: Christopher Wingate

WHY ENERGY MODEL? CLIMATE CHANGE

Consortium Firms: Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, LTD (MS&R)

ARCHITECTURE 2030 INTEGRATED ENERGY DESIGN

TOOLS OF DESIGN

Design Study

Architectural offices must accept that there is no single piece of software that consolidates all of the functional-

Design Study Design Study

must work with a collection of tools, developing a workflow that matches the character of the office.

The diagram on the right maps the software tools and

Firm Advisor: Tom Meyer, Principal and Architect

DESIGN PROCESS 2.0

workflow patterns MS&R uses during design studies. The

VITRUVIUS REDEFINED

studies themselves are the building block of the design pro-

Faculty Advisor: Blaine Brownell, Associate Professor, School of Architecture

DESIGN THINKING EVOLVED

DESIGN THINKING

DESIGN STUDY - THE MOLECULE OF DESIGN THINKING

cess. Each study uses the project’s current state as input, TOOLS OF DESIGN

Design Study

ity necessary to create and execute a design. Rather, firms

3D PRINTER

explores the design, and creates output that can inform the project and spark the next study.

ENERGY MODELING INPUTS

MS&R uses Revit as its primary modeling software and treats Rhino and Sketchup as design models. Design mod-

ENERGY MODELING & CONCEPT DESIGN

els can be thought of as digital sketches; the software en-

models don’t become fully interwoven into the project until they are deposited into Revit.

DIAGRAMMING CLIMATE

energy analysis programs, linking specific tools to specific outcomes.

Energy modeling software enables MS&R to analyze the CONCEPT MASSING STUDIES WIND ANALYSIS

performance of design studies. IES VE uses Sketchup to

CONCEPT MASSING STUDIES

create the 3D geometry for the energy model. It is not

ENERGY MODELING & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Energy modeling tools are powerful, but the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming for a designer. Additionally, the tools do not always take into consideration the highly specific

PDF

ANALYSIS

PSYCHROMETRIC CHART

Y MODE IMAR L PR

sions. We analyzed the typical design process and proposed pairing strategically targeted

INDESIGN

PHOTOSHOP

sketch can’t inform the project until it leaves the designer’s desk and is shared with the team, the results of design

CLIMATE ANALYSIS

N MODEL DESIG

SMARTER CONCEPTS

VRAY

RHINO

ables quick explorations of ideas. However, much like a

VISUALIZATION

architecture firms that can inform early concept, schematic, and design development deci-

ENERGY MODELING TIMELINE

DOCUMENTATION

In this research we developed an energy modeling methodology for small to medium-sized

ILLUSTRATOR

REVIT

AUTOCAD

REVIT

SKETCHUP RHINO

PDF SKETCHUP

possible to import Rhino geometry directly into IES VE,

PHOTOSHOP

however Sketchup can be used to translate Rhino geometry and then export it to IES VE.

ITERATIVE DEVELOPMENT IES VE

OPTIMIZING R-VALUES OPTIMIZING GLAZING %

VRAY

INDESIGN

MS&R’s software and workflow fosters collaboration within a design team while still allowing for individual cre-

PHYSICAL MODEL

ative freedom.

OPTIMIZING DAYLIGHT

needs that designers have in different phases of the design process. The method was tested

DESIGN STUDY TOOLS AND WORKFLOW

on an active project in several phases of its design, and mapping the process resulted in a recommended methodology for designers and an overall plan for the firm for its investments in training and software.

ABOUT THE STUDY A UNIQUE COLLABORATION

A 1) CONCEPT DRAWING PROJECT TIMELINE

B 2) SKETCHUP MODEL

EQUEST AND IES VE COMPARISON

WHY ENERGY MODEL?

C 3) SKETCHUP IES ENERGY MODELING PLUG IN

CLIMATE CHANGE ARCHITECTURE 2030

D 4) IES ENERGY MODEL

BUILDING AN ENERGY MODEL

INTEGRATED ENERGY DESIGN

DESIGN PROCESS 2.0

Because IES VE uses a Sketchup plugin to create its energy models, going from concept sketch to three dimensional en-

VITRUVIUS REDEFINED DESIGN THINKING EVOLVED TOOLS OF DESIGN

ergy model is quick and easy. The images on the right start by showing a concept drawing that has been imported into Sketchup. Because the most important differences were the sectional characteristics and glazing placement between the

ENERGY MODELING INPUTS ENERGY MODELING TIMELINE

ENERGY MODELING & CONCEPT DESIGN

massing options, these were captured in detail. Again, using Sketchup makes modeling this detail very easy.

When creating an energy model in Sketchup, do not model wall thickness. Energy models deal in zones, looking at the

SMARTER CONCEPTS CLIMATE ANALYSIS

space between defining elements, not at the elements themselves. Define the geometry with simple planes.1

A) CONCEPT SKETCH

B) SKETCHUP MODEL

C) SKETCHUP IES ENERGY MODELING PLUG IN

D) IES ENERGY MODEL (DAYLIGHT ANALYSIS SHOWN)

PSYCHROMETRIC CHART

After the sketchup model is complete, the IES Plugin auDIAGRAMMING CLIMATE

tomates the process that converts it into an energy model.

CONCEPT MASSING STUDIES WIND ANALYSIS

The plugin searches the model for enclosed areas and turns

CONCEPT MASSING STUDIES

ENERGY MODELING & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

them into zones that can be read by IES VE. Finally, it exports the converted model into IES VE where the full suite of analyses can be run on it.

ITERATIVE DEVELOPMENT OPTIMIZING R-VALUES OPTIMIZING GLAZING % OPTIMIZING DAYLIGHT

Above: After talking with designers and consultants in the office, the student mapped software tools and their common combinations. This provided context for how the new energy modeling tools might fit in the existing ecology of software within the office.

1.

IES VE Sketchup Plugin User Guide. http://www.iesve.com/content/downloadasset_2867

Below: Diagram showing the sequential steps in building an energy model from concept to analysis.

32

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Fall 2011, Spring 2012

VR System

Virtual Reality Report Student: Jenna Johansson

Graphics System

Tracking System

Consortium Firms: HGA Architects and Engineers and Perkins+Will

cameras track LED lights on HMD

Firm Advisor: Amy Douma, LEED AP Design Principal Faculty Advisors: Lee Anderson, Associate Professor, School of Architecture

12 Phase Space Cameras

Renee Cheng, Professor and Associate Dean of Research, School of Architecture

The use of virtual reality in the design of patient rooms in hospitals has the potential to reduce, replace, or complement extensive and costly physical patient room mock-ups. In this

HMD communicates with the transceiver through the puck

research we investigated the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality in the design of patient rooms in a California hospital, as it compares with full-scale physical mock-ups of the same space. We developed the virtual reality version of the patient room, analyzed the physserver

ical mock-up and its evaluation criteria, and compared client input after viewing the physical

A B eye transmitters

B

transceiver

A

mock-up and virtual experience. We also did a cost comparison of time and return on invest-

graphics computer

ment between the physical and virtual mock-ups. The results of this work were presented at a peer-review Healthcare Design Conference and have been incorporated into a book, Modern

internet

B A

the server sends tracking info to the internet using a fixed IP address

published by Wiley.

Effectiveness for Testing

from the fixed IP address, the graphics computer retrieves the info for view

LED puck

Relative Relation of Effectiveness for Testing

Relative Relation of Time Commitment

high

high

Physical Mock-ups Virtual Mock-ups**

low early

early

Stage of Mock-up Process*

34

late

Stage of Mock-up Process* * Comparisons made to CA Hospital mock-up stages of Soft, Hard PI, and Hard PII ** Assuming that VR mock-up is fully detailed throughout whole process and that line represents hypothesis due to lack of hard data

Construction Issue Detection

Cost for Creation

Physical Mock-ups Virtual Mock-ups**

early

* Comparisons made to CA Hospital mock-up stages of Soft, Hard PI, and Hard PII ** Assuming that VR mock-up is fully detailed throughout whole process and that line represents hypothesis due to lack of hard data - subject to shift

Relative Relation of Construction Issue Detection

high

low

late

Stage of Mock-up Process*

Relative Relation of Cost to Create

Below: A graph of the advantages and disadvantages of the virtual reality mock-up compared to the physical mock-up, looking at their relative effectiveness in testing, time required, cost involved, and potential to allow the identification of construction issues.

Physical Mock-ups Virtual Mock-ups**

low

late

* Comparisons made to CA Hospital mock-up stages of Soft, Hard PI, and Hard PII ** Assuming that VR mock-up is fully detailed throughout whole process and that line represents hypothesis due to lack of hard data

Above: Diagram of elements of the tracked virtual reality system.

internet

eye receivers

Time Commitment

Clinic Design: Strategies to Impact Patient Experience authored by Chris Vickery of HGA and

high

Physical Mock-ups Virtual Mock-ups**

low early

late

Stage of Mock-up Process* * Comparisons made to CA Hospital mock-up stages of Soft, Hard PI, and Hard PII ** Assuming that VR mock-up is fully detailed throughout whole process and that line represents hypothesis due to lack of hard data - subject to shift

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Consortium Members

Founding members of the consortium have played a critical role in forming its culture, establishing a balance of shared and distinct intellectual property and developing robust personnel processes. Firms share our goals of advancing industry, providing opportunities for future firm leaders, and investing in the continued development of their individual research cultures. Consortium members regularly engage in discussions with faculty and students regarding research trends, industry needs and opportunities. From these exchanges and internal strategic planning, firms develop priorities for research topics that can be pursued in the research practices program or other venues.

36

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

AECOM is a fully integrated technical

Resulting research findings and design

BWBR is a design solutions firm with prac-

We see the association with the MS-RP

services consulting firm with nearly 100,000

process tools can have direct relevance to

tices in architecture, interior design, and

program as an opportunity to create new

employees worldwide — including engineers,

solutions on real world projects. Benefits

master and strategic planning. One of the

relationships with students and faculty that

designers, planners, scientists, surveyors,

to the student include opportunities to engage

Upper Midwest’s oldest and largest firms

will inform our process and expand our ability

architects, as well as management and con-

directly with client concerns and develop a

and recent recipient of the AIA Minnesota

to acquire knowledge and innovate in a rap-

struction services professionals. The firm

deeper understanding of the impact of design

Firm of the Year Award, BWBR has estab-

idly changing environment. Investing time and

serves clients in more than 150 countries

on facility users. And by sharing findings with

lished a reputation for service and quality

talent with the MS-RP will be a catalyst for

in key markets including transportation

our clients and the wider design community,

designing complex facilities in the health

our continued growth and a reflection of our

infrastructure, environmental, energy, oil

we add to the body of research regarding

care, higher education, government,

commitment to the design community in our

and gas, water, as well as corporate, gov-

successful facility design.

corporate, science+technology, secure

region. Graduates with this unique research

environments, transportation, worship,

experience will help bring a new momentum

and wellness+recreation markets.

to our industry, using their knowledge and

ernment and healthcare facilities.

skills to lead innovation and design higher per-

In the healthcare field AECOM is actively

forming buildings and environments.

engaged in the application of evidence-based

Our clients live and work in complex

design, to inform project solutions and eval-

environments. BWBR seeks to be a trusted

uate results. The firm is involved with a range

design advisor to those clients – assisting

BWBR is excited about this collaboration,

of research-oriented organizations such as

them and innovatively leveraging those envi-

the future impact the MS-RP on the prac-

The Advisory Board Company, the Association

ronments for a better world. Integrated

tice of architecture, and the knowledge that

for Patient Experience and the Center for

design research helps our clients make in-

will be generated and shared with our col-

Health Design with whom we are a Corporate

formed decisions to utilize their facilities

leagues for years to come.

Affiliate. AECOM design staff attends and

to best meet their mission.

present at national conferences including Healthcare Design Expo and Conference and

Creating a design culture based in research

the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo.

offers a more critical approach to design; informing the design process from the be-

The AECOM legacy firm Ellerbe Becket

ginning and measuring the success of those

has had a long history with the UMN College

designs after implementation. We strive for

of Design – both in the Architecture and

continual improvement and innovation in our

Interior Design field, with staff members

process and solutions to better serve our cli-

holding adjunct faculty positions and with

ents. This commitment to continual improve-

regular participation in design critiques. The

ment creates a more engaged practice and

current collaboration with a student in the

inspires our team and our clients to exceed

MS-RP program doing primary research on

expectations. Research also allows us the

a topical issue of importance to our clients

opportunity to seek new knowledge and con-

brings that engagement to a higher level.

tribute to the industry’s body of knowledge.

38

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Awarded the American Institute of Architects

Columbia Heights Public Schools, and

DLR Group is an integrated design firm

data aggregation and visualization. They

Minnesota Firm Award in 2013, Cuningham

the College of Education on a multi-year re-

providing architecture, engineering, planning,

created and communicated a visual connec-

Group transcends tradition with architecture,

search project to document, analyze, and

interior design and building optimization to

tion to the research being performed, which

interior design, urban design and landscape

assess three retrofitted open learning studios

meet the unique needs of our clients in lo-

became a useful communication tool.

architecture services for a diverse mix of

(2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade) designed by Cuningham

cations around the globe. Our promise is

client and project types. The firm’s client-cen-

Group for the North Park Elementary School,

to elevate the human experience through

Research is playing an expanded role in

tered, collaborative approach incorporates

in Fridley, MN (2011-14). These three, unique

design. This promise inspires our design

the work we do and the clients we serve.

trend-setting architecture and environmental

learning studios were designed through a col-

and research for a diverse group of public

From evaluating the qualitative design

responsiveness to create projects that weave

laborative charrette process involving school

and private sector client types including

aspects of our learning environments and

seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded

teachers and administrators and resulted in

Civic, Courts, Detention, Energy Services,

relating them to student performance and

in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized

the merging of several traditional classrooms

Higher Education, Hospitality, K-12

social behavior; to informing our workplace

as a leader in the field of architecture and

into larger, more open spaces through the

Education, Retail, Sports, and Workplace.

clients of the relationship between day-

has grown to nearly 300 employees in offices

removal of existing interior walls and the

seven national and two international offices.

integration of flexible furniture, digital learn-

DLR Group joined the research consortium

sumption and predictive building perform-

ing equipment, and technology-embedded

to further our on-going commitment to

ance models; research is playing an in-

Cuningham Group was recognized with its

partitions. The result has been a complete

bring value to our clients, our community

creasing role in our design processes.

first education design award in 1992. Since

transformation of the school’s approach to

and our industry.

then, the firm has received over 40 honors for

teaching that privileges active, student-ini-

its work planning and designing education

tiated, and self-directed learning.

facilities. In addition to planning awards, our

lighting and productivity; to energy con-

Everyday our design teams are exposed At a high level, our collaboration with the

to new challenges: new sets of big data pro-

University of Minnesota Research Consortium

duced by the industry or our own project

education projects have been recognized for

The aim of the research, analysis, and

helped our entire firm remember the key role

experiences; new building performance

their interior design, their commitment to

documentation currently being conducted

research plays in our work, and how it can

expectations; new measures which make

sustainability, and their impact on learning.

is to assess the impact of specific design

truly benefit everyone involved. Additionally,

us even more relevant and more focused

This history of excellence is evidence of

elements on the effectiveness of teaching

the collaboration helped our staff to make

to the needs of our clients.

Cuningham Group’s ability to develop and

and learning in support of North Park

connections between research and the

deliver design solutions for education that

Elementary’s goal of fostering 21st-century

professional practice of design. This evolved

The next generations of architects, whom

break ground in the ever changing world of

skills for communication, collaboration,

into formalizing a leadership group, charged

have engaged with research during their edu-

teaching and learning. We believe our future

critical thinking, and creativity. In turn, this

with guiding and communicating research

cation, are entering the profession with

lies in the field of evidence-based research

research will also contribute to the archi-

that is happening throughout DLR Group.

a set of valuable skills. Their ability to ask the

and building performance for all of our proj-

tecture profession by providing a rigorous,

ects types, especially learning environments.

in-depth, and longitudinal case study analysis

The students contributed to furthering this

and visualize results and then communicate

that will highlight innovative approaches

conversation, which helped to establish a

those results to our owners and project

Beginning in the Spring of 2014, faculty

to collaborative design for the creation of

formal framework for research to occur, inside

teams, will elevate the quality of design that

and students at the University of Minnesota

active learning environments in conjunc-

the company. Our students also provided a

we ultimately evolve and deliver.

partnered with the Cuningham Group,

tion with specific models of education.

greater awareness around the importance of

40

right questions, carefully study, transform

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

HGA is an integrated architecture, engineering

inate diverse expertise, and address emerg-

Mortenson Construction is a family-owned

collaborative and integrated relationships,

and planning firm specializing in healthcare,

ing industry concerns.

development and construction company head-

be it both informal and contractual.

arts, higher education, and public/corporate

quartered in Minneapolis, MN. The firm has

work. We help clients realize their organiza-

The MS-RP program has also proven to be a

gained a reputation for partnering with their

We see the value in MS-RP in that it provides

tion’s vision potential through responsive,

valuable vehicle to help students advance to

Customers, design teams, and trade partners

aspiring architects a unique opportunity to in-

innovative and sustainable design informed

leadership positions within a multi-gener-

to produce value through collaboration and

terface with multiple design and construction

by rigorous research and design investigation.

ational practice. Many of our consortium

goal alignment while striving to provide an

firms, which is an opportunity that one rarely

projects have focused on emerging trends,

exceptional experience for all involved with

gets once in the workforce as we are typically

and the students truly become the firm’s

the project.

working on a limited number of projects

Our research efforts serve two basic functions:

with a limited number of firms. The students

“thought leaders” within their topic areas.

Most of our consortium students have taken

At Mortenson, we continually strive to

get a high level of exposure to the more

full-time positions with HGA at the conclu-

improve the facilities we create for our cus-

pressing issues within the industry, therefore

sion of their projects, and they are valued

tomers, search out tools and processes to

gaining experience and the opportunity to

for both their research skills and for their

improve collaboration, and invest in the art

comprehend the present day challenges and

heightened understanding of practice.

and science of construction. These goals

potential solutions being developed. The

Our collaboration with the Consortium for

have led to significant R&D efforts and

students are placed in direct contact with

Research Practices plays a unique role within

partnerships with academia. The collabora-

the leading edge thinkers of these industry

our larger research platform, serving as an

tion with the University of MN has provided

leaders and get the opportunity to be part

“incubator” to test emerging ideas, tech-

the opportunity to study team dynamics,

of the problem solving to advance the

nologies, materials and processes. While

and how the performance of a team can be

industry by leveraging academic resources.

much of our research work is driven by the

directly tied to providing value to the creation

market sectors we serve, the consortium has

of the design and construction of a facility.

generally focused on topics with firm-wide

The research has also been very helpful in

applications. For example, we have explored

understanding the factors that lead to team

emerging technologies such as virtual reality

cohesion and integration, as well as identi-

and computational design, non-traditional

fying the structure and encouraged behaviors

materials and assemblies, and frameworks

that will lead to high team performance.

1. to support thoughtful, informed decision-making on each project 2. to fuel new ideas and innovative, industry-leading practices

to build our public interest design practice.

With the preliminary research data and Design-oriented research is an emerging

analysis, we can use this information to shape

field, and many firms are developing systems

the way that we train our professionals so

to integrate research findings into their prac-

that they can be more effective in team

tice. MS-RP students are in a unique position

environments. The research also provides us

to lead these integration efforts. Through

context to train others in the industry and

this program students develop the skillsets

better influence selection criteria so that fac-

needed to conduct rigorous research, coord-

ility Owners can understand the value of

42

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

MSR’s mission statement is to create excep-

our collaboration with the University of

Perkins+Will is an interdisciplinary, re-

a field guide for our Social Responsibility

tional and enduring architecture through a

Minnesota MS-RP program, we have devel-

search-based architecture and design firm

Initiative (SRI) to assist when designing in

leading, self-renewing practice. Since 1981,

oped and applied sustainable design method-

established in 1935 and founded on the

unfamiliar cultures. Student Fiona Wholey

our firm has produced work of enduring

ologies focused on operating energy, embod-

belief that design has the power to trans-

research became an article “Designing for

value: buildings that are expressly right for

ied energy, daylight, and material life cycle

form lives and enhance communities. The

Health, Long-term Benefits of Resilient

their time and place and that culturally and

assessments.

firm’s 1,800 professionals are thought leaders

Design for Healthcare” that was published

in developing 21st century solutions to in-

in Contract Magazine Online, April 2, 2015 as part of a Perkins+Will healthcare series.

physically age gracefully. We have achieved this success by believing in the power of

The MS-RP program also helps develop the

spire the creation of spaces in which clients

open, informed architectural discourse,

future leaders of our profession. The MS-RP

and their communities work, heal, live,

exploration, and research to positively

program offers an invaluable opportunity for

and learn. In 2015, Fast Company ranked

Research in architectural design and the

influence the way we work internally and

graduate students to gain experience and

Perkins+Will among “The World’s Top 10

built environment is diversifying and reaching

the way we lead the interactions with our

make connections in the profession, while

Most Innovative Companies in Architecture.”

exciting new directions. Technological

clients, consultants, and community.

learning a unique skill set that makes them

changes in materials, representations, and

attractive to future employers. By defini-

Perkins+Will explores interdisciplinary

construction techniques have accelerated

MSR’s commitment to applied research helps

tion, students working on research projects

research to address materials, building tech-

the need to advance knowledge across design

us stay connected with the issues of our time,

are developing new knowledge for our firm

nologies, environmental concerns, compu-

disciplines. At Perkins+will, collaborative

expand our knowledge, and develop new

and become the in-house experts on their

tational design, automation in construction

interdisciplinary research is rapidly emerging

ways of working in order to serve as leaders

research topic. This privilege comes with a re-

and design delivery methods. We seek to

as a core component to our design practice.

in our profession. Collaborating with the

sponsibility to work with our in-house teams

bring together researchers, design practi-

We presently employ a number of full-time

University of Minnesota through the MS-RP

to direct and disseminate the research. This

tioners, funders, educators and students

research staff who focus on critical thought

program has been a cornerstone of our re-

interaction helps students develop strong

to bridge the gap between academic and

leadership and produce a peer reviewed

search strategy for the past three years. The

communication and organizational skills as

practice-led research efforts, thus setting a

research journal twice each year (volumes

program leverages the strengths of academia

they incorporate feedback from firm leader-

new direction of architectural research. The

available on our website). We also fund a

and professional practice by conducting mu-

ship and work with staff to apply what they

University of Minnesota’s College of Design’s

bi-annual Innovation Incubator program for

tually beneficial research. We have explored

have learned. The MS-RP program trains stu-

enhanced pedagogy and research strategies

staff with micro-grants of money and time

innovative processes, tools, and techniques

dents to become leaders as they learn how

are essential to the future relevance and

supporting small research projects that push

with inquisitive and talented graduate stu-

to leverage research to develop the ways

growth of our research-driven practice.

forward creativity and experimentation.

dents and University faculty, while providing

we will all work tomorrow, while navigating

a venue for the research to be applied to

the constraints we face today.

Our three specific faculty/student/practice

The University of Minnesota’s College of

active architectural projects complete with

research collaborations clearly furthered

Design Masters in Research Practices is an

budgets, schedules, and existing work flows.

our aims in practice, social responsibility

exciting initiative that we see as part of pos-

This feedback loop between academic re-

and envisioning a resilient future. Student

itive global changes transforming the design

search and professional application results

Dan Raznick’s research examined data and

professions. Architectural practices and

in innovative methodologies that expand

parametric processes during schematic

academic institutions are finding deep value

beyond conceptual exercises. They are

design to more deeply integrate environ-

in collaborating on architectural research.

ready to be adopted and applied by our staff

mental simulation with spatial performance.

We look to your professional programs to best

to enhance our design process. Through

Student Matthew Tierney’s research produced

prepare students for our future practice.

44

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Student Researchers

In our first three years developing the program, the majority of students have been enrolled in the University of Minnesota’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program, doing research internships for elective credit or paid research assistantships. Some of these M.Arch students can complete a concurrent degree in the Master of Science in Architecture, Research Practices. Students who complete their professional degree in another institution matriculate into the University of Minnesota as Masters-only students with the central requirement to complete the research internship. Regardless of their paths, students who succeed in the program are strong leaders, self-directed, and resourceful. This program provides a structured path to licensure, often fulfilling conventional internship categories with high-level, research-oriented work. Graduates accelerate their path to leadership positions by demonstrating leadership capacity while still in school—bridging academic and professional agendas in the context of their particular research projects. Unlike in typical internships, students in MS-RP research internships are well networked within the firms, regularly interfacing with firm leaders, faculty, consultants, and specialists and giving high-profile presentations to internal office audiences and to the wider practice community.

46

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Will Adams

I believe the MS-RP provides a valuable

Jeremy Bernardy

providing a setting that matches students

Spring 2014 Project: Virtual Reality and Construction: Investigating the Potential of Immersive Virtual Reality Technologies in the Operations of Mortenson Construction Consortium Firm: Mortenson Construction Firm Advisors: Ricardo Kahn, Taylor Cupp Faculty Advisors: Andrea Johnson, Lee Anderson, Renee Cheng

professional tool to students hoping to

Fall 2015 Project: Comparison of Two Clinic Planning Models: An Analysis of On-Stage/Off-Stage and Neighborhood Designs Consortium Firm: AECOM Faculty Advisor: Kathleen Harder

with real architects and design issues. The

I chose the MS-RP program at the University of Minnesota because I saw it as an opportunity to pursue research in a field I’m very interested in — immersive virtual reality — while engaging with a respected construction firm, Mortenson Construction. That I’d be able to accrue IDP hours at the same time was an added bonus. I also saw it as a way to differentiate myself from other M.Arch students and develop new research skills.

I didn’t anticipate, however, the impact the MS-RP would have on my career. The research I did in the program kindled an interest and expertise in virtual reality which I’m now pursuing professionally. It’s very exciting to be part of the budding virtual reality field, with so much new technology being released, new ways to think about virtual environments being opened up, and a lifetime’s worth of problems left to be solved.

48

become architects or who would like to apply their architectural skills to another profession. Either way, it’s a great way to get unique, deep-dive professional ex-

work and experience you receive then becomes a practical complement to that of academics by challenging you to adapt what you have learned during a university educa-

perience in a focused area, an opportu-

I decided to be a part of the MS-RP pro-

tion and your careers to seek out answers

nity many young architects don’t have.

gram for the opportunities that it afforded

that advance the comprehension of present

to continue the high intellectual energy

problems. Research plays the role of un-

found in the academic setting while ad-

derstanding how systems and processes

vancing my career in professional practice.

work. This knowledge can then be applied to

I saw this as an opportunity to become a

architecture by devising solutions that im-

leader in a prominent architecture firm, de-

prove the health, safety, welfare, and costs

veloping a skill set that I could only hope

for the future occupants of our buildings.

to obtain five or ten years into my career.

This program has advanced my understanding of research and how valuable it is for the designed world. I feel fortunate to have gained this experience, as it is not an opportunity that most new graduates receive in their first job. In the academic setting the trial and error process is highly encouraged, and as students we learn from these risks and rewards. In practice, however, this process is typically reserved for the more experienced team members.

The strength of the MS-RP program lies in the fact that it bridges the gap between practice and research in architecture by

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Philip Bussey

to me and influence the professional op-

Pratibha Chauhan

as a platform to perpetuate rigid caste and

2012 Project: Energy Modeling Methodology Consortium Firms: Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, LTD (MS&R) Faculty Advisor: Marc Swackhamer

portunities that I’ve chosen to pursue.

2016 Faculty Advisor: Renee Cheng

gender-based discrimination, I want to gain

There are a lot of challenges to doing research in the context of an architectural practice with project deadlines often taking

The MS-RP gave me the opportunity to

precedence over research. While the firm

take research on architectural acoustic

I work at now doesn’t have a dedicated re-

surfaces that I was working on with a pro-

search group, I find that I use the skills de-

fessor and apply it to a firm that had a

veloped during my MS-RP partnership on

number of ongoing performing arts proj-

a daily basis. I’m not writing detailed re-

ects. What was most appealing to me was

search reports anymore, but I’m developing

the opportunity to “scale-up” the research

new processes and tools to streamline

from small installation and fabrication

the transfer of information from early de-

projects to large institutional projects

sign models directly into our documen-

within a large architecture practice.

tation platform. Thus improving design concept fidelity and reducing the typ-

The attention that the VarVac project

ical time spent in the process. Knowledge

got after graduation was a nice affirma-

sharing and collaboration with the larger

tion that this sort of work is important to

open source community has been a huge

the profession. That coupled with working

part of the success of this effort and will

on similar concepts in practice broad-

continue to shape the development of it.

Coming from a liberal arts background, I have always been interested in approaching

an in-depth understanding of architecture as an instrument that can catalyze positive changes through socially conscious design.

problem-solving from an interdisciplinary point of view. As I applied to different graduate school programs, MS-RP at the University of Minnesota stood out because of its emphasis on addressing design and architecture-related issues through the lens of holistic research. The concurrent program of MS-RP and M.Arch allows students to combine graduate school learning with industry/practice-based experience simultaneously. To me, the unique opportunity to do research with firms that share my research interests was the decisive factor in choosing the University of Minnesota. Through the MS-RP program I am looking forward to exploring the com-

ened my understanding of the role that an

plexity of architecture from angles that

architect can have within a firm as well

extend beyond the realm of design.

as within the allied disciplines. Between the research I was doing with Marc

As a citizen of a developing

and HGA, there were elements of soft-

country — India — I am really interested in

ware development, fabrication, archi-

cross-cultural solutions to problems that

tectural design, and firm management.

are global. In communities like mine, where

These topics continue to be of interest

architecture to this day is consciously used

50

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Amy Ennen

a formal place for research within the firm

Jenna Johansson

projects require some quantity of research,

Fall 2013 Project: Project Delivery Toward the Future Consortium Firms: Mortenson Construction, DLR Group Faculty Advisors: Renee Cheng and Andrea Johnson

– to the extent of hiring a research and de-

2012 Project: Virtual Reality Report Consortium Firms: HGA Architects and Engineers and Perkins+Will Faculty Advisors: Lee Anderson and Renee Cheng

many conditions cut short the available

velopment leader. I have been tapped to help visualize big data, which makes the data more approachable for clients. I have

I decided to participate in a consor-

I participated in the pilot program for the

tium research project because of the

ferent from the consortium research, but

MS-RP, firstly because trying new things

research topic and the academic leader-

has happened as a result of me being now

and testing new ideas is exciting for me -

ship involved. The idea of understanding a

known, within the firm, as a researcher.

being a part of the evolution of education

effectively making research a second namaking them a valuable asset to any firm.

was a prospect I didn’t want to miss. I also

system, in depth, also appealed to me. The MS-RP program gave me the opportunity to

Clients, end users, and producers of archi-

knew this would be a great way to research

work with academic and industry thought

tecture have begun to understand how vital

relevant topics in the industry while getting

leaders. It allowed me to dive deeply into

research is to improving our world. The im-

a good start as an intern at a very reputable

an area of practice I would have otherwise

provements range from reductions in energy

firm in the city, not only for myself, but for

only touched on in my coursework and al-

use to innovation in materials to decreasing

future students who would come through

lowed me to develop relationships and

healthcare costs. The idea is that sound

the program if the pilot was a success. The

build my network external to my cohort.

research, when applied, can make a tre-

program challenged me as a student to ask

The program led me to develop more ad-

mendous impact. The MS-RP gives aspiring

questions, something that I continue to do

vanced data visualization techniques. It

architects the opportunity to conduct and

everyday in my work as well as about my

provided me the opportunity to contribute

apply research, in practice, with the support

firm’s internal practice and about the field

to a body of work that is nascent in com-

and resources of academia. This provides

as a whole. The MS-RP, prepares aspiring

parison to other industry topics, taught

them with the skills and experience neces-

architects for research in practice by al-

me how to devise a research framework

sary to conduct and apply research confi-

lowing and facilitating work, studio, and

and select a methodology, and taught me

dently in their careers as they forge ahead.

research to happen concurrently. Learning

how cull metrics from a literature review

The MS-RP also proves that the connec-

to balance multiple things at a time is a crit-

and build a survey around those metrics.

tion between academia and practice, with

ical skill to have because it is what we face

research as the catalyst, should remain in

as professionals every day. Offering this

place. It is a super productive exchange.

opportunity as a track in the educational

continues to impact my career. I was of-

system allows students to begin prac-

fered a salaried position within the firm,

ticing the skills required to be successful

and I am on a forum that helped developed

at making the balance work. While most

52

this program teaches the skills to research ture part of one’s process in design, in turn

been asked to prepare market research analyses in emerging markets, which is dif-

The program impacted me as a student and

time or resources to conduct the research -

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Kaylyn Kirby

I have proven able to tackle difficult analyt-

Savannah Steele

I’m curious about how to best leverage col-

Spring 2014 Project: Material Sustainability: Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of Building Materials Consortium Firm: MSR Firm Advisors: Tom Meyer, Chris Wingate, Jack Poling, Rachelle Schoessler Lynn, Simona Fischer, Rhys MacPherson, MS&R Faculty Advisor: Blaine Brownell

ical tasks and have thus been given oppor-

2016 Faculty Advisor: Renee Cheng

laboration and communication in order

tunities not usually afforded to someone

to manage risks and effectively realize beautiful, high performing spaces. The

so early in their career. The skills, mindset, and confidence that I built while in the

I chose the MS-RP because it offers a richer

MS-RP promotes a critical understanding

MS-RP program have positively affected

pathway to attaining licensure than the

the nuanced contexts that impact the de-

my career. Research, analysis, and crit-

conventional structure and I saw that the

sign process; pursuing this concurrent de-

ical thinking are now part of my daily life.

research that other MS-RP students were

gree is a fantastic way for me to develop a

I chose to pursue the MS-RP program

conducting was useful, compelling, and

well-rounded understanding about how to

because it enabled me to engage with

rigorous. I know I will gain a deeper under-

conduct architectural research. While tra-

professionals, faculty, and fellow stu-

standing of the professional practice by

ditional internships do provide exposure to

dents through a unique research set-

examining mutual research concerns on

various settings, it will be rewarding to ac-

ting. I was able to drive the direction of

a topic carefully chosen in collaboration

crue IDP hours towards a series of investi-

the research to my interests, while incor-

with my faculty and industry advisors.

gations that are of direct concern to a firm.

porating the interests of the firm to produce a thought-provoking body of work.

The MS-RP’s connection to a consortium of firms and partner organizations makes

The MS-RP program provided me the op-

it unique. While other MS programs offer

portunity to be more than simply an intern

special knowledge, the MS-RP presents the

in the office; I was the champion of the re-

opportunity to engage with a firm’s crucial

search endeavor and was placed on a level

research questions in real time. Through the

playing field with other colleagues. This

MS-RP program, I’m looking forward to dis-

experience gave me confidence both as a

covering the research agenda of my partner

student and in my career to be able to take

organization. I will be able to practice lis-

charge of a task or idea and move it forward.

tening, develop my representational skills, and begin to identify creative solutions.

Additionally I look forward to learning more about how builders, designers, engineers, users, and owners share and utilize information to create responses to spatial needs before, during, and after construction.

54

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Matt Tierney

program allowed me to move through the

Christopher Wingate

software, I was also learning how to pre-

Fall 2013 Project: Project Delivery Toward the Future Consortium Firms: Mortenson Construction, DLR Group Faculty Advisors: Renee Cheng and Andrea Johnson

ARE tests with a wealth of academic and

2012 Project: Energy Modeling Methodology Consortium Firms: Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, LTD (MS&R) Faculty Advisor: Blaine Brownell

pare for, lead, and document weekly meet-

The prospects of internship opportunities within top level firms, licensure upon graduation, and leadership roles in leading-edge architectural research are the reasons why the MS-RP program is so useful for an emerging professional. I enrolled in the program not only as a way to differentiate myself in the job market but also as a means to pursue niche areas of the field that my M.Arch did not allow me to. The approach of the program was both academic and professional in its goals and physical setting. This dual-pronged approach provided a venue to pursue research agendas with the resources of a land grant institution and those offered by the architectural firm.

This was a very powerful combination when posed with a complex research agenda straddling fields or requiring specialized tools/programs. The program is truly interdisciplinary in every sense of the word.

I was able accrue IDP hours both through my research and through professional work completed within the firm. Further, the

56

professional resources supporting me. I was able to access a range of study materials through the university library, en-

ings with my in-office research steering committee. I would present updates on the tools and processes I was developing, and they would provide feedback on how it could

gage professors and practitioners with questions about certain areas of the tests,

The MS-RP program presented an incred-

fit within the constraints of practice, in-

and was able to study as part of my aca-

ible opportunity to gain work experience in

cluding schedules, budgets, and traditional

demic program. This structured, but flex-

the region’s top architectural firms while

ways of working. I was exposed to the real-

ible, environment for testing is a huge

developing research that pushed the pro-

ities of architectural practice at the same

advantage for an emerging professional.

fession forward. The MS-RP program helped

time that I was trying to push its bound-

launch the trajectory of my career. I was

aries. This helped move my research from

The MS-RP program opened doors that I

paired with MSR to develop an energy mod-

a purely academic pursuit to research that

didn’t know existed. Over the course of my

eling methodology, an opportunity that

could be applied directly in the profession.

two MS-RP research projects, I was able

was a perfect mirror of my interests – I

to speak at major architectural confer-

was passionate about sustainable design

I was hired by MSR after completion of

ences and meet both practitioners and

and wanted to work for MSR after gradua-

the MS-RP research project as a designer

academics whom I never would have had

tion because of their expertise in adaptive

and research coordinator. I now work with

the venue without this program. These

reuse projects. The MS-RP program got me

current MS-RP students from the other

are opportunities that “traditional” ar-

in the door at MSR, but I quickly realized

side of the table and am responsible for

chitectural internships, coursework, or

that the program was so much more than

helping shape the trajectory and imple-

entry level jobs, cannot expose you to. I

just an internship opportunity. Because I

mentation of our research efforts. The

am incredibly grateful for the existence

was developing new knowledge that was im-

MS-RP program has also opened other

of this program and the mentorship I re-

portant for the firm, I worked directly with

doors within the profession including con-

ceived throughout. It has helped me im-

firm leadership to shape the trajectory of

tinued research efforts with the University

mensely in reaching my goals of licensure

my research from my first day in the office.

of Minnesota and presentation opportunities at major conferences. I am grateful

and solidifying my areas of interest within the field of architectural research.

A unique aspect of the MS-RP program is

for the positive impact the MS-RP program

that it helps students develop research

has had on my career and for the opportu-

skills while teaching them how to operate

nity to remain involved with the valuable

in a professional working environment. As I

program as it develops current students

was learning cutting-edge energy analysis

into the future leaders of our profession.

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Faculty

Faculty advisors connect students with a national network of academic researchers and provide contextual information about existing research relevant to students’ projects. Faculty bring a range of approaches to their advisor roles. Most are matched with projects based on their research expertise, some propose projects that directly advance their research, and others are brought in through their relationships with the firms and then shape the projects according to their expertise. Many projects result in publications, conference presentations, and grant proposals. Faculty advisors tend to be licensed architects, but there is ample room for non-licensed faculty in architecture and other fields to participate. We have also benefited from our strong connections within the College of Design and with the larger university.

58

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Renee Cheng, AIA, M.Arch

Lee Anderson, B.Arch

— Emerging technologies (BIM, Digital Fabrication, Lean Processes) and their effect on the practice of architecture — Application of Virtual Reality in architectural design processes and user feedback — Integrated project delivery and related collaborative methods

– Virtual reality – Digital representation

While I direct the program and have some involvement with all of the projects, I appreciate the chance to serve as faculty advisor on projects that relate to my research interests. The opportunity to work directly with firm leaders and students provides me perspective that is often quite different from an academic point of view.

I’ve been advisor on one of the longest-running research projects, supporting three students over the course of five semesters. Their work will significantly advance the industry’s understanding of project delivery and team dynamics. Most research takes a snapshot of a project team but our research is more like a “live lab,” tracking about two dozen projects with bi-weekly surveys and interviews to understand the teams’ shifting dynamics.

A lot of attention has been paid to the fact that, for qualified students, the program leads to licensure upon graduation. However, I believe the most remarkable parts of the program are the shift to a research culture and the chance for the students to demonstrate leadership— along the way, the students reach licensure.

The MS-RP program was an opportunity for my virtual reality research to connect with several industry partners, including Mortensen Construction and HGA architects. Mortensen’s focus on virtual design and construction was a good match for the virtual reality applications I have been developing in the Virtual Reality Design Lab. We also had the opportunity to explore prototypes of patient rooms in healthcare settings by linking Jenna Johansson’s pilot research practices internship with one of HGA’s active hospital projects.

The Virtual Reality Design Lab is part of a research center, the Digital Design Center, collaboratively run by the Departments of Computer Science and Architecture. Unique in the international context of virtual reality research, the lab focuses on virtual reality tools appropriate to the design and construction industry. The research practices internship capitalized on several decades of my research into the perception of users experiencing virtual reality, including the sophisticated hardware and software developed with funding and investments by the University of Minnesota, private donors, and peer-reviewed grant funding.

The internships came at a time when we needed to explore the potential for the virtual reality tools and processes in direct partnership with members of the building industry. The internships built relationships with critically important industry partners, led to several presentations and additional funded research projects, and helped guide my own research directions in bringing the Virtual Reality Design Lab to where it is today.

60

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Abimbola Asojo, AIA, PhD, IDEC, LEED-AP

Blaine Brownell, AIA, M.Arch, LEED-AP

— Cross-cultural design — Global design — African architecture — Architectural lighting design — Computing and design

— Energy modeling and its application to design — Emerging materials — Sustainable Infrastructure — Contemporary Japanese architecture

I recently joined the MS-RP program and am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with students and practitioners on research issues that inform real-life design practices. The MS-RP forms a much-needed bridge between academia and industry at the graduate level and impacts the community in important ways.

As an educator, architect, and interior designer, I bring to the program my scholarly interests in cross-cultural design, sustainability, African architecture, and globalization and design. I also hope to contribute through my work in architectural lighting design, computing and design, and post-occupancy evaluation. I also have strengths in theories and research methodologies from my interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Instructional Psychology and Technology, Anthropology and History. The MS-RP program will bring collaborations with students and industry practitioners on research projects in the community, allowing me to focus on research that informs design practice and bring in interdisciplinary perspectives.

I am currently advising a graduate student on the pre and post occupancy evaluation of a workplace. The process has given me insight into how design firms can work with clients, applying research methodologies that I teach in my classes. Working with the student researcher and the professionals in the firm, we can collaboratively blend our expertise to create a robust set of research questions and apply methodologies to find answers to issues in real-life.

The MS-RP program is a vehicle for repairing the broken knowledge loop in architecture.

I began teaching after more than a decade of practice, and I care deeply about both the academy and the profession; thus, I believe in supporting a productive dialogue between the two.

I have had the privilege of advising two highly talented students, Chris Wingate and Kaylyn Kirby, who had taken one of our core sustainable design offerings, Material Performance in Sustainable Building. That class prepared them well for advanced research in this area.

Chris directed a study of the role of energy modeling tools in the early design process, and Kaylyn led an investigation concerning building assembly-based material performance.

Both projects delivered insightful results about the aspirational intersections between environmental performance and the design process in architectural practice. These projects have invigorated my research as well as my teaching.

The MS-RP program functions as a literal and metaphorical bridge. The program bridges the academy and the profession, and it creates a strong connection between a student’s education and his or her entry into practice. The bridge also influences each student’s longterm trajectory: because of students’ rapidly developing expertise, they typically enter the profession in advantageous positions. They become “known quantities” in their respective firms, as opposed to employees assigned to generic, low-level tasks. And, something that other cooperative programs don’t offer, the students’ accelerated arcs point to expanding leadership roles over time.

62

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

John Comazzi, AIA, MS, M.Arch

Richard Graves, M.Arch

— Architecture photography — Design pedagogy and representation — New forms of critical urbanism — Active learning environments

— Resilient systems — Resilient communities — Living building

The MS-RP is a great opportunity for me to advise graduate students in the exploration The MS-RP has offered me the unique opportunity to advance my research and design

and research of a project that intersects with the interests of local practitioners.

interests in the area of active learning environments for PK-12 education. By collaborating with professional practitioners and school districts that are designing and implementing

Through the MS-RP program, I worked with Jacob Cherry and Mortenson Construction

innovative classroom designs, I have been able to engage more directly with experimental

to advise a project that considered emerging risks in performance-based contracts. At the

projects that have immediate consequences for my research and scholarship.

Center for Sustainable Building Research, we are researching the advantages of performance-based contracts for our work with state-funded projects in Minnesota. The work

Through the MS-RP program, I was able to apply prior research assessing the relationship

with MS-RP allowed me to have a student do a complete literature review on the relatively

between active learning environments and design-based curricula in an elementary school

new use of performance-based clauses in construction contracts and to consider the

that was shifting from traditional models of instruction to a more active, collaborative

experiences of a large construction company.

model. This shift required new spaces and furniture to meet the needs of students and teachers alike, and our team of graduate architecture students helped the school and its

I strongly believe in the value of how the MS-RP bridges the gap between academic research

architects analyze the patterns of use taking place in their recently renovated “learning

in architecture and practice by exposing students to the work and interests of firms and

studios.” As a result, the teachers were able to reflect critically on their uses and program-

companies working in the built environment and by integrating companies into students’

ming of the new, more flexible learning studios. The administration had concrete scenarios

education and research.

to help communicate the effectiveness of the redesigned spaces with parents and the district school board. It was clear from this project (conducted over three semesters) that the MS-RP program has helped to bridge barriers that are all too common between academia, professional practice, and community partners.

The importance of the MS-RP program at University of Minnesota lies in the fact that the unique, collaborative model that it employs has opened up new avenues for learning, teaching, and practicing design and is demonstrating the importance of applied research to advancing the discipline of architecture.

64

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Kathleen A. Harder, PhD

Andrea J. Johnson, AIA, M.Arch, LEED

— Design and health issues — Human Factors

— Architecture, poetics, arts — Innovative practice — Building enclosure — Urbanism

My involvement as a faculty advisor in the MS-RP program offers the opportunity to interact with students and architectural firms on research questions of pragmatic interest to us as a team. It is a meaningful experience to “shepherd” students in hands-on learning of various research methods in situ, and it is rewarding to witness their development as they become more comfortable and conversant in data-collection methods new to them. It is equally rewarding to collaborate with team members from architecture firms who are at the front lines of designing spaces that our research could impact.

I was invited to participate because my research experience and content expertise are a good fit with the interests of certain architecture firms that participate in the consortium.

Our weekly meetings help to foster teamwork and productive collaboration as we formulate and tackle the research together. Our collaboration will yield findings that will benefit the field.

The MS-RP program offers a rich opportunity for aspiring architects to work as interns at architecture firms and simultaneously benefit from faculty mentorship. The program gives architecture students a more informed understanding of the complexity of research and an appreciation for the valuable role that research can and should play in informing practice.

The MS-RP program is unique in putting the reins in students’ hands to drive innovation in practice through research while enabling them to quickly cover ground in understanding the fuller picture of the profession. As a faculty advisor, I have had the opportunity to leverage my experience in large-scale practice to guide research that interrogates the status quo and proposes new approaches and methods for how we work in the building industry. By providing ongoing mentorship for students to successfully complete their Intern Development Program (IDP) and Architectural Registration Examinations (ARE) , I have been keenly aware of how getting a head start on licensure has bolstered graduates to emerge as young leaders in their firms. Through my involvement in the program, my own research and teaching have also been strengthened, most importantly by improving methods of inquiry that connect multiple kinds of knowledge and expertise in a dynamic and positive process.

Holistically, I see the core value of the MS-RP program as connecting students, faculty, and practitioners with each other and with the shared goal of improving what architects bring to the world. In the projects on which I served as faculty advisor, I’ve seen a range of topics and goals, including the use of wood as structure in larger-scale buildings of multiple types, developing a new methodology for firms to incorporate materials in building designs that lie outside mainstream use, measuring specific benefits of using virtual reality in communicating a designed space, and gathering information to understand what ingredients and recipes lead to successful built projects. Through this work, we are not only building knowledge and skills, we are building community within our industry.

66

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Jim Lutz, AIA, M.Arch

Marc Swackhamer, M.Arch

— Sustainable Design strategies for single and multi-family residential projects — Building technology — Adaptive re-use and sustainability

— Biomimetic architecture — Experimental fabrication technologies — Responsive + lightweight construction systems — Digital production methods

Participating in the MS-RP program has given me the opportunity to work with both stu-

I first participated in the MS-RP program as a faculty member, and now I support it in my

dents and professionals on a variety of emerging issues within the field of architecture. The

role as Head of the School of Architecture. I found this program to be a great opportunity to

research that has been produced will contribute to advancing the discipline in substantive

work with firms as a collaborator and now see it as a national model.

ways. My work with MS-RP students and firms has dealt with aspects of public interest design, energy, and resilience, each of which relates to my expertise in sustainability, building

My MS-RP involvement began with my interest vacuum-formed plastics and the potential

technology, and social impact architecture. It has been gratifying to see much of the re-

for organically shaped surfaces to perform acoustically. My research assistant, Phil Bussey,

search meaningfully find its way into active projects within the participating firms. Working

and I developed a project for the front office of the School of Architecture, a panel system

alongside dozens of innovators within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC)

we called VarVac Wall. It received national recognition, winning the Architect Magazine R+D

community has sharpened my view of the topics that I believe will shape the trajectory of

Award and Core77 design award. HGA, a consortium partner, wanted to extend our research

the profession in this century.

and apply it to the acoustic strategies in two performance spaces in the Twin Cities, Ordway Theater and Northrup Auditorium.

The MS-RP program provides an opportunity to develop an ongoing dialog with some of the most progressive AEC firms in the region. These partnerships give students and faculty

Phil, now a student in the MS-RP program, worked with architects and consulting acous-

members alike an opportunity to collaborate with professionals in exploring issues on the

ticians at HGA to develop a digital parametric interface that was both easy to use and an

leading edge of design.

effective indicator of acoustic performance. His research suggested that a designer could quickly and intuitively understand the acoustic consequences and opportunities of his or

The MS-RP post-professional degree in the School of Architecture at the University of

her design decisions and could create wall surfaces that could be inexpensively prototyped

Minnesota is unique because it is one of the very few programs in the country that offers a

at full scale to help designers understand how the spaces are experienced by occupants.

means for students to gain firsthand experience in conducting research that will substan-

This combination of quick, effective exploration in a digital environment with inexpensive,

tively contribute to shaping the future of the built environment. This innovative partnership

full-scale exploration in a physical environment was a valuable contribution to HGA’s prac-

between academia and the profession relies on emerging professionals as the critical link

tice, my own research, and architectural acoustics more broadly.

between the two realms, a unique structure that benefits all of us.

68

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Sequence and Curriculum

Master of Science in Architecture–Research Practices (MS-RP) leads the country by modeling a structured path to licensure. It is the first (and at this time, only) degree program that, for qualified students, leads to licensure upon graduation. Along the way, we make sure they get the hours and take the exams to meet licensure requirements.

The degree offers a path to leadership and prepares students to shape a robust research culture that will transform the building industry.

Students enrolled in the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program at the University of Minnesota are eligible to undertake a concurrent degree with the MS-RP. Overlapping course requirements make it possible for M.Arch students to earn an additional degree, a Master of Science, after completing two additional semesters. Those who have earned a professional degree (Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture) from another school are eligible to take the MS-RP as a stand-alone post-professional degree as a three semester sequence. Regardless of path, paid internship hours during the program are approximately equal to a student’s tuition and fees, making the post-professional degree effectively debt-free.

70

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Overview

Program Features

Benefits and value of the program

Who should apply?

The MS-RP program admits candidates who have a previous professional degree (B.Arch or M.Arch, or for current UMN students woring towards their M.Arch degree). Ideal candidates for the program will have completed at least half of the required IDP hours (approxinately 2,800 hours) and have strong design skills, organizational abilities and interest in developing leadership capacity.

Integrated Research Practices Curriculum In addition to the coursework, the program includes an integrated curriculum, which includes a variety of educational opportunities and initiatives. The program encourages students to expand their education by participating in special lectures and events, professional practice, and research. The integrated curriculum includes: The MS-RP curriculum, a forum for M.S. students, related lectures and events, and research opportunities at the College of Design.

Consortium Member

Student

Benefits — answer relevant research questions that are beyond the time and capacity of firms — access to faculty expertise and faculty research — access to highly qualified students matched to individual firm — access to consortium database exclusive to members — access to research results presented at exclusive consortium meetings — citations in publications — 6 hours per year of Continuing Education / AIA Learning Units (LU)

Benefits — 225 hrs* of IDP in experience setting A or O during academic year (Practice Internship) — 150 hrs* of IDP in experience setting S per academic year (Research Internship) — 600 hrs* of IDP in experience setting A or O per summer — 930 hrs* of IDP in experience setting S for advanced degree — Stipend and salary similar to Research Assistant position stipend and tuition reduction — Fellowship opportunities exclusive to MS-RP including tuition, ARE® fees, etc.

— ARE instruction customized for MS-RP, sections taken in structured cohort *students’ individual hours may vary

Research The MS-RP incorporates a new experience that we are calling a “research practice internship”. The student is working within a larger consortium of firms and the University that establishes multi-year consortium-wide goals and links faculty advisors with professional mentors to the students. The consortium relationship creates a robust knowledge loop between the profession and academy. This in turn establishes meaningful internships for students that combine funded research as student assistants supervised by faculty with office-based internships paid by the firms – qualifying for the all important “Experience Setting A” as defined in IDP. By integrating the two experiences for the student, academic research is applied on actual projects and information is gathered in a way that allows for consistent methods. The results of this work build a rigorous database to share within the consortium providing the student with context for their work, understanding their project as one component in a strong bridge between school and profession.

Goals The program’s goals include full integration of education, practice, and research, high quality education and practice experience with reduced time to licensure, and create a seamless relationship between education, internship, examination, and continued professional development. It will achieve these goals by providing students/interns with: — A structured path to internship, examination, and licensure — A role in the profession creating conduits for knowledge exchange — Develop valued capacity for (future-oriented) practice-based research

72

Research Internships/Practice Internships MS-RP candidates are eligible for a funded one- or two-semester internship with local architecture firms, design firms, or construction companies.

Internship candidates work with faculty, researchers, industry representatives, and practitioners. Typical projects investigate Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), Building Information Modeling practices, emerging construction technologies, professional practice, and computing technologies.

Intern Development Program (IDP) The MS-RP program has been approved as a post-professional advanced degree by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). MS-RP students who successfully complete the program after earning a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canandian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)-accredited professional degree in architecture qualify for 930 elective hours of IDP (Experience Setting S: Supplemental Experience).

Advanced degrees must be submitted to NCARB in compliance with the reporting requirements.

Values — research capacity within the firm is expanded — research results apply to projects with direct benefit to clients — connection to University can lead to consultation, collaborative grants or projects — eligibility for collaborative grants requiring full-time academic participants — connection to University has marketing value, plus promotion by University — collaboratively built database broadens and deepens expertise

Values — potential to complete IDP and ARE® and reduce time to licensure — relationship with faculty members’ research — high quality office experience in a challenging job market — opportunity for leadership, substantively contributing to firm and to consortium

Practicum Practica courses directly address topics in the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE ®).

ARE exam sections are incorporated into coursework and MS-RP candidates are expected to attempt all sections of the ARE during their program.

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Faculty

Curriculum

Renee Cheng, AIA Professor and Associate Dean of Research; Director, Master of Science in Architecture, Research Practices concentration and Consortium for Research Practices B.A., Harvard College; M.Arch, Harvard University

The MS-RP Concentration requires a total of 30-36 credits, typically completed in one academic year.

Due to the intensely integrated nature of the MS-RP the majority of the curriculum is composed of required courses and internship experiences. The range of 30-36 credits is used in the rare circumstance that a stipend-based internship is not available.

Abimbola Asojo, AIA, IDEC, LEED AP Professor Interior Design Program; Director, Interior Design Program PhD, University of Oklahoma

Practicum Professional Practice Elective

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr

Building Stories

3 cr.

Practicum

3 cr.

Final Project

4 cr.

Research Internship Professional Internship

Fall Elective Final Project Research Internship Professional Internship

3 cr

10 hr/wk 15 hr/wk

Tech 3+4

10 hr/wk 15 hr/wk

Elective (in Ar

Elective (in Ar

Year Three

Jim Lutz, AIA Lecturer, Co-Director MS Sustainable Design Program; IDP Educator Coordinator B.A., University of California, Berkeley; M.Arch Syracuse University

GDIII Studio

Tech 5

Kathleen A. Harder Director of the Center for Design in Health Ph.D., Cognitive Psychology, Dartmouth College Andrea Johnson, AIA, LEED AP Assistant Professor; Principal, Andrea J. Johnson Architect B.A., Stanford University; M. Arch, Columbia University

GDII Studio

Professsiona

5 cr.

Year Two

Richard Graves Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Building Research B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; M.Arch, Rice University

Research

Year One

John Comazzi, AIA Associate Professor of Architecture; Affiliate Faculty in Landscape Architecture B.A., University of Virginia; M.Arch, University of Michigan

Spring

Fall Students who enter the MS-RP may enroll in the program for only the M.S. degree or combine it with the M.Arch degree. Listed here are example schedules that outline possible course sequences for students in either option. The typical M.S.-Only curriculum is shown on this page. Two methods of combining degrees — with the 2-year or 3-year M.Arch. — are shown on the adjacent pages.

Year Two

Blaine E. Brownell, AIA, LEED AP Associate Professor and Director, Master of Architecture Program; Director of Graduate Studies B.A., Princeton University; M.Arch, Rice University

M.Arch or B.Arch degree

Year One

Lee Anderson Associate Professor B.A., Sophia University in Tokyo; M.Arch, University of Minnesota

M.S.-Only Degree Path

Research Practicum

Final Project

Research Int

Professional

Marc Swackhamer Associate Professor and Head of School B.A., University of Cincinnati, M.Arch, Rice University

74

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

2-year M.Arch + M.S.

3-year M.Arch + M.S.

r B.Arch degree

all

3 cr.

Practicum 3 cr.

3 cr.

Final Project 4 cr.

4 cr.

10 hr/wk 15 hr/wk

Fall

Tech 1+2

Tech 1+2 4 cr.

Spring

Tech 3+4

3 cr.

Fall

GDII Studio Module

9 cr.

4 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Spring

4 cr.

Module

4 cr.

4 cr.

Building Elective (outside 3 Architecture) cr.

Elective (outside

Stories

4 cr.

Architecture)

Spring

ModuleModule

9 cr.

4 cr.

Building Professsional Practice 3 cr.

Stories Tech 3+4 3 cr.

4 cr.

Elective (in

3Architecture) cr.

4 cr.

Module

4 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

1 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

1 cr.

3 cr.

1 cr.

4 cr.

Professsional Practice

4 cr.

Catalyst

Elective

Spring

Theory Elective (in

Catalyst

4 cr.

4 cr.

Building Elective Stories

3 cr.

9 cr.

4 cr.

Theory

Fall GDII Studio

Year Two

4 cr.

Module

Year Two

9 cr.

4 cr.

1 cr.

Tech 3+4

wk

9 cr.

Building Professsional Practice 3 cr.

Stories Tech 3+4 3 cr.

4 cr.

Spring

ModuleModule

Catalyst

Professsional Practice

cr.

Fall

GDII Studio Module

Catalyst

cr

15 hr/wk

GDII Studio

Year One

Year One

all

History 3 cr.

10 hr/wk

ship Professional Internship

9 cr.

History

Spring

ModuleModule

1 cr.

Research Internship

Fall

GDII StudioModule

Catalyst

3 cr.

Fall GDII Studio

1 cr.

cr

Building Stories

Catalyst

cr.

p

Spring

Year One

cr.

Spring

Non-B.S. or non-architecture Non-B.S. undergraduate or non-architecture degree undergraduate degree

Year One

cr.

B.S. undergraduate degree B.S. undergraduate degree

Architecture)

3 cr.

wk

Fall

Fall

9 cr.

9 cr.

Tech 5 3 cr.

Elective (in Architecture)

Elective 3 cr. (in Architecture)

3 cr.

Elective (in Architecture)

Elective 3 cr. (in Architecture)

3 cr.

Final Project

3 cr.

3 cr.

Final Project 4 cr.

4 cr.

Research Internship Research Internship 10 hr/wk

10 hr/wk

15 hr/wk

15 hr/wk

M.Arch Spring

M.S.

Practicum 3 cr.

M.Arch Spring 3 cr.

Final Project 5 cr.

Research Internship 10 hr/wk

5 cr.

10 hr/wk

Professional Internship Professional Internship 15 hr/wk 15 hr/wk Professional Internship Professional Internship

76

GDIII Studio

Tech 5

Fall

GDIII StudioMaster’s Final Project 9 cr.

Tech3 cr.

5

9 cr.

Elective

3 cr.

Elective 3 cr.

Fall

Research Practicum Final Project

Research Internship

Fall

Practicum Research 3 cr.

Practicum 3 cr.

Spring

10 cr.

10 cr.

Elective (outside Architecture) Elective (outside Architecture) 3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

M.S.

Spring Master’s Final Project

Elective (in Architecture) Elective 3 cr. (in Architecture)

Year Four

Research Internship

3 cr.

10 cr.

Fall

Year Four

Year Three

Year Three

Final Project

Fall

Practicum Research 3 cr.

Practicum

10 cr.

Elective (outside Architecture) Elective (outside Architecture) 3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Fall

Practicum

Spring

Master’s Final Project

Tech 5

Research

Spring

Year Three

GDIII StudioMaster’s Final Project

Year Three

Year Two

Year Two

GDIII Studio

Final Project

M.Arch Spring

M.S.

3 cr.

Practicum 3 cr.

3 cr.

Final Project

Final Project 4 cr.

4 cr.

Research Internship Research Internship 10 hr/wk

10 hr/wk

15 hr/wk

15 hr/wk

3 cr.

M.Arch Spring

M.S.

3 cr.

5 cr.

5 cr.

Research Internship 10 hr/wk

10 hr/wk

Professional Internship Professional Internship 15 hr/wk 15 hr/wk Professional Internship Professional Internship

MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

Press “Fast Track: University of Minnesota Program to Halve the Time to Get Licensed” —Chris Bently, February 2014 “The one-year MS-RP program aims to help B.Arch or M.Arch graduates achieve licensure within six months of graduation, potentially receiving their diploma and license at the same ceremony... Students in the University of Minnesota’s program spend 25 hours per week in a research practice internship based out of a local architecture office, in addition to completing coursework in research methods and analysis. The firms pay students for 15 hours per week, while the university provides research assistance for the other 10, in the form of tuition breaks and stipends.”

“Year One of the University of Minnesota School of Architecture Graduate Program to Streamline the Licensure Process” —Wanda Lau, October 22, 2013 “Anything we can do to expedite the speed with which people can get licensed is a good thing,” says David Cronrath, AIA, Dean of the University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “What Renee [Cheng, Professor, former Head of the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, and Associate Dean for Research at Minnesota’s College of Design,] has done is establish a roadmap which a lot of people can follow. And, I think, of course they will.”

“New U of M master’s aims to speed path to architecture jobs, licensure” —Matt M. Johnson, February 26, 2013 “MSR [principal Thomas Meyer] says that working with the U of M’s research practices students is changing his perspective on new hires. “It’s not like just hiring another student,” he said. “To have somebody to do research at a reasonable price is a great opportunity.””

“NCARB Suppoorts Faster Path to Licensure” —Lama Anderson, June 5, 2014 “[T]he MS-RP program has garnered much attention from architecture students, professionals, other higher educational institutions, the AIA, and NCARB itself...”

Also featured in: Architecture Minnesota; Archinect; Design Intelligence; dezeen magazine; Evolllution; Journal of Architectural Education; Perkins + Will Research Journal

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MS-RP at UMinn Architecture

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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Please visit the School of Architecture website, arch.design.umn.edu, for information about our graduate degree programs: Master of Architecture M.S. in Architecture — Sustainable Design M.S. in Architecture — Heritage Preservation M.S. in Architecture — Metropolitan Design M.S. in Architecture — Research Practices Telephone and E-mail Inquiries: Terence Rafferty, Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment 612 624-7866 or archinfo@umn.edu University of Minnesota School of Architecture 145 Rapson Hall 89 Church Street S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455 The School of Architecture Graduate Program Office is located in Rapson Hall, room 145 Project managment: Pratibha Chauhan Editing: Karin Matchett Consortium logo and original curriculum diagrams: Kai Samela Design: Luke Bulman—Office