April 17, 2012: Researchers Aim to Develop Smart Building Envelopes to Reduce Energy Costs
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Within the envelopes of commercial and residential buildings rests the promise of major, new energy efficiencies in the built environment, according to University of Michigan researchers.
A team of University of Michigan architects, engineers, and materials and environmental scientists will start this fall on a two-year collaborative project called Integrated Responsive Building Envelopes (IRBE). Together they will explore the potential of intelligent building envelopes that are capable of monitoring weather, daylight, and occupant use to manage heating, cooling, and lighting in dynamic ways in order to increase energy efficiency and reduce impact on the environment.