The Transforming Places, Practices, and Pedagogies Collaborative (TP3C) is a research unit within the School of Architecture at the University of Utah, dedicated to conducting architectural research. Our mission is to develop new knowledge, tools, processes, and spur innovation in architecture. We engage in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research that addresses current challenges in architecture. We strive to bridge the gap between architectural profession and research, and engage with the industry and other partners in collaborative research projects.
News and Publications
Evaluating Building Performance of an Existing Research Laboratory Building: Energy-Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality
“Evaluating Building Performance of an Existing Research Laboratory Building: Energy-Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality” presents a comprehensive study on energy-efficient (EE) retrofit strategies for improving building performance and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in a higher-education research laboratory building. The case study is an existing 12,932m2 (139,200ft2), five-story research laboratory building on the University of Utah […]
Read MoreTP3C Research Presented at CATE 2024
Suncica Milosevic and Prof. Timothy Adekunle presented a paper “Evaluating Building Performance of an Existing Research Laboratory Building: Energy-Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality” at the Comfort At The Extremes (CATE) 2024 Conference in Seville, Spain (November 20-22, 2024). The paper, co-authored with Prof. Ajla Aksamija, presents a study on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and building […]
Read MoreNew Project Focusing on Revitalization Study of Liberty Park Greenhouse
TP3C is teaming up with the Salt Lake City Corporation and Dr. Michael Mayo, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship, Kent State University to study retrofit design strategies for the Liberty Park Greenhouse. The project is part of the Salt Lake City Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The Liberty Park Greenhouse is an […]
Read MoreFacades Education in the United States: Current State and Recommendations for Improvements
“Facades Education in the United States: Current State and Recommendations for Improvements” presents the results of a research study, outlining the state of facades education at higher-education institutions across the United States. The objective was to identify coursework focusing on facades (or enclosure systems) and analyze how these courses relate to the overall curricula, educational […]
Read MoreDesign and Energy Analysis: Assessment of Workflows and Simulation Tools
“Design and Energy Analysis: Assessment of Workflows and Simulation Tools” discusses integration and interoperability between Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Building Energy Modeling (BEM) tools, which pose major challenges for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. BIM to BEM workflow should steer the users towards the design and analysis of energy efficient building shapes, […]
Read MoreFacade World Congress 2024 held at the University of Utah
Facade World Congress 2024 was held at the University of Utah School of Architecture (SoA) from October 8 to 10. Organized by the Facade Tectonics Institute and the SoA, the Congress brought together architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, researchers, and academics from around the world. The event included fifty presentations of peer-reviewed papers, keynotes, panel discussions, […]
Read MoreDRS 2024: Editorial on Reimagining Care Through Evidence
“Reimagining Care through Evidence: Design Research, Patient Centered Solutions, and a Culture of Care for Healthy Societies” outlines a session at the Design Research Society 2024 Conference, exploring patient-centered evidence-based design in healthcare as a model of recovery, resistance, reflection, and reimagination. We were particularly interested in works of practice, scholarship, and research that put […]
Read MoreUser-Centric Renovation Design Strategies of Traditional Offices for Supporting Hybrid Work: Engaging Employees through Research
“User-Centric Renovation Design Strategies of Traditional Offices for Supporting Hybrid Work: Engaging Employees through Research” investigated renovation strategies of office spaces to post-pandemic, hybrid working environments with an emphasis on user inclusion in the holistic design process – from pre-design inquiry, design synthesis and development, and final design validation. The goal was to determine renovation strategies […]
Read MoreTP3C Research Featured by Building Design + Construction
TP3C’s research on intelligent facades has been featured by the Building Design + Construction network. An article “Could ‘smart’ building facades heat and cool buildings?” discusses the development, testing and benefits of active facade systems that integrate thermoelectric materials. Thermoelectric materials are smart materials that can produce a temperature gradient when electricity is applied, exploiting […]
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