Green Building Design Research Expert Dr. Ajla Aksamija to Speak at Drexel

Green building design research expert Dr. Ajla Aksamija will speak at Drexel on Thursday, Oct. 24

Green building design research expert Dr. Ajla Aksamija will join Drexel University on Thursday, Oct. 24, for a lecture entitled “Interdisciplinary Research: Building, Technology and Environment.”

Head of research for the Building Technology Laboratory (Tech Lab) at international design firm Perkins+Will, Aksamija will speak about her ongoing research in high-performance buildings, building systems, innovative design approaches and emerging building technologies.

Aksamija also will speak about the nature of interdisciplinary research and technology as they relate to building innovation. A question-and-answer session following the lecture will center on the relationship between interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation.

The event is sponsored by the Drexel Smart House (DSH)’s Smart Initiatives team, a student-led, multidisciplinary initiative that performs cutting-edge environmental research and design. Aksamija’s work aligns with the goal of the organization to conduct research and develop designs in the areas of environment, energy, interaction, health and lifestyle in order to improve quality of life in the urban residential setting.

Sustainable Facades

The discussion will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building (33rd and Chestnut Streets) and will be followed by a reception. It is free and open to the public.

Aksamija's research expertise includes building science and sustainability, emerging building technologies, digital design and information modeling. Her most recent book, Sustainable Facades: Design Methods for High-Performance Building Envelopes (Wiley, 2013), presents strategies and technical guidelines for designing environmentally sensitive, energy-efficient facades based on scientific principles.

Aksamija has contributed to several books (The Skyscraper and the City: Design, Technology and Innovation, Knowledge Management: Research and Applications), and has written numerous research articles and invited papers, published by Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing Journal, International Journal of Architectural Computing, Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal and Complexity Journal. Aksamija is the founder and editor of the Perkins+Will Research Journal. She received a doctorate in architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with an emphasis on technology and environment.

About the Drexel Smart House
Drexel Smart House (DSH) is a student-led, faculty-supported, multidisciplinary initiative to develop a sustainable model for urban residential living and entrepreneurial innovation. Founded in 2006, DSH has since procured a 4,900-square-foot, 19th century Victorian twin home in Powelton Village, which will be renovated to redefine urban living through the use of sustainable technologies and dynamic environments. The new Drexel Smart Initiatives Program (DSIP) is housed within the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, the project now engages students, faculty and staff from all of Drexel's colleges. Participants conduct research and develop designs in the areas of environment, energy, interaction, health and lifestyle with the goal of improving quality of life in the urban residential setting. For more information, visit www.drexelsmarthouse.com.