This project enhances the impact of a basic tool for early stage design decisions such as orientation,and building envelope composition on energy performance of the building. The proposed project adds the capabilities of the basic tool to drive, not only decisions regarding the design articulation of the building envelope, but also the design of the […]

Working closely with me, the two interns will have an opportunity to engage with a timely question engendered by the global pandemic: What is changing in our approach to the public realm, and how can we embrace these changes as positive forces in urban design. We will be working quickly on a time-sensitive challenge, in […]

Although ambitious climate change laws are encouraging the sustainable retrofits required to meet carbon emissions reductions targets, a lack of understanding of the synergies between sustainability and preservation often results in interventions which adversely impact heritage values or are less effective than they could have been. Interns will work with MTBA Associates, Inc. to gather, […]

The intern will work with a multi-disciplinary research team from architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, business development and materials research in the design development phase of a project to create a bio-mass panel prototype from cellulose (hemp biomass). As the most abundant organic polymer on the planet, cellulose is currently emerging as a sustainable […]

Monitoring of wildland fires through infra-red remote sensing has become increasing of interest to the wildland fire management community, and quality scientific analysis of the capabilities of such sensors is critical if they are to be used in any operational way. In 2019 a joint burning experiment was carried out over several days. In 2019 […]

Factory-built structural insulated panels are used for off-site building construction to minimize the labour needed for construction framing, which aims to save construction time and improve the quality of the installation. The panels, instead of using wood or steel framing, are the structural support for walls. Although the insulated panels provide structure, additional reinforcements are […]

The partner organization, the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (NACAFV), is conducting a Feasibility Study for constructing on-reserve second-stage housing. A section of the Study is on the technical aspects of this type of housing which is for women who wish to leave their homes permanently because of domestic violence. The design of the […]

The proposed research will involve studying the carbon footprint (i.e. the carbon emissions) involved in the preparation of magnesium oxychloride (MOC) cement materials. MOC cement has been proposed as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditionally used Portland cement (PC), however many discrepancies arise as there is no work directly comparing their carbon footprints. In […]

This grant proposes to look at innovation in materials and assembly which are afforded by our new design and fabrication technology so that Patkau architects can take this material innovation and move it to a conceived and completed project.

The focus of this project is on building performance evaluation (BPE) in residential houses in Southern Ontario. Eight green homes will undergo BPE to see how well they are performing. The project will compare current building performance to the designed building performance. This comparison can help to see whether a “performance gap” exists. A performance […]

Willowbank Centre for Cultural Landscape will work with a University of Waterloo student to engage in an emerging process of building disassembly and material reuse. Demolishing a building and sending the debris to landfill sites is a huge loss of resources, energy, and historical value. This project becomes a prototype on how to reuse building […]

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive insect from Asia that was detected in Ontario in 2002 and has caused severe declines in ash trees. EAB is able to kill a healthy ash tree in 3-4 years and has caused declines of up to 99% in some areas 8-10 years after arriving. Although there is […]