BUILT FOR EVERYONE.

"We have 200 students per year coming through the lab...and the opportunity is interdisciplinary and not only for architecture students."

RESOURCES
As an education resource, BUILT goes beyond the physical constraints of the lab. BUILT partners with faculty that wish to promote active learning and interdisciplinary environments through an integration of building science. Since its opening in October of 2015, BUILT has supported the development and execution of three building science research assignments in large, lecture-based architectural courses: Intro to Environmental Design and Architecture and Cultural History II + III. In addition, BUILT has been in the same role of supporting three smaller, seminar-based courses in both the School of Architecture and the Maseeh College of Engineering. BUILT supported these courses through the development of worksheets, introductory lectures, training and troubleshooting. Simultaneously, BUILT has provided tools, training, and knowledge for the students partaking in the Research-Based Design Initiative courses, as well as for a variety of other students seeking to explore, measure, and analyze site conditions and design decisions.
BUILT is the Building Science Lab to Advance Teaching; it's not the Teaching Lab to Advance Building Science. Building science, in this arrangement, proves to be the basis for promoting new, alternative teaching methods. In this way, building science serves in academia as it does in the construction of buildings - it is the foundation that allows us to question traditional ways of doing things and aspire towards innovative (and more sustainable) design solutions...
Kalina Vander Poel
BUILT Acting Director

EMPHASIS
It is important to remember what BUILT's knowledge expertise is: the subdiscipline in architecture known as building science. While building science falls within many other disciplines (engineering most readily coming to mind), building science within architecture typically involves any system that manipulates the environment in order to provide human comfort. Systems may be designed to alter light, temperature, or air quality. Both passive and active systems reside in building science, as does site context and climate considerations. If one had to summarize building science, we would say it is the study of providing systematic human comfort. When an individual speaks of building performance, they are often referring to one (at minimum) building science system.

LOCATION
BUILT is a physical space with a conference table, a number of high-end lab computers, and a building science tool library. BUILT has regular open hours where students can check out equipment, ask questions, and hold impromptu meetings related to building science. BUILT staff, comprised of trained graduate students, are available to assist students and faculty with any building science related inquiries.

BUILT's physical location is intended to be a place for students supported by students. From open hours to training to availability, BUILT is dedicated to being a physical resource students can claim as a place for them. This includes even the furniture! Designed and fabricated by architecture students, the conference table is an inspiring education tool as much as a work space. The checkout station is also designed by students, reinforcing the aesthetic and attitude of BUILT. At BUILT the door is always open. This is important to us, because it reflects our belief that building science is for everyone, and all levels of skills/knowledge are welcome.

OUTREACH
Outreach is embedded in the formation of BUILT as a lab with an advisory board. The purpose of the advisory board is to be sure BUILT stays on target with contemporary and emerging issues in building sustainable cities. The advisory board is, therefore, comprised of professional architects and engineers working in Portland, Oregon. Our advisory board also enables BUILT with additional outreach opportunities through research and sponsorship.

BUILT acts as a resource for other organizations and activities in the pursuit of sustainability. Partnering with the Green Building Research Laboratory, BUILT offers its physical space and tool library to students participating in the Research-Based Design Initiative whose mission is to bridge the gap between professional and students by having graduate students work on research questions proposed by local Portland architecture firms.

By participating in and co-hosting events with the Institute for Sustainable Solutions, and providing space for the work and presentation of projects sponsored by the Institute, BUILT encourages sustainable activities at Portland State University. Additionally, BUILT helps support PSU internships that specifically focus on reducing energy use in buildings on campus.

The BUILT Lab also supports student groups. BUILT is home to the Green Building Scholars, and this past year it was the go-to spot for the PSU ASHRAE ISBD group. We are happy to say both groups have expanded beyond the Portland State University campus with field trips to Canada (Green Building Scholars) and traveling to Las Vegas after placing 3rd in the international ASHRAE ISBD competition.