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
TP3C Research Presented at the Facade World Congress 2026
TP3C’s research was presented at the Facade Tectonics Institute’s World Congress 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA, September 28-October 2. Facade World Congress is the leading global event that brings together industry professionals, researchers, faculty members and students every two years to discuss research and development, design and technical delivery of innovative building enclosures. It was held […]
Read MoreComparative Analysis of Educational Methods for Teaching Facade Systems
“Comparative Analysis of Educational Methods for Teaching Facade Systems: High-Performance Facades Elective vs. Integrated Comprehensive Building Technology Course” discusses two distinct pedagogical approaches to teaching facade systems within architectural curriculum, and provides a comparative analysis between teaching methods, objectives, students’ learning outcomes and covered material. The first approach considers a semester-long elective course focusing on […]
Read MoreMachine Learning and Facades: Interactive Tool for Performance Analysis
“Machine Learning and Facades: Interactive Tool for Performance Analysis” discusses development on an interactive tool for facade performance analysis during the early stages of architectural design. Studies have shown that buildings account for approximately 40% of the global energy demand and 37% of the global CO2 emissions. A significant amount of the energy consumed is […]
Read MoreAI-Assisted Archival Analysis for Facade System Retrofits in Heritage Buildings
“AI-Assisted Archival Analysis for Facade System Retrofits in Heritage Buildings: The Sava Center Case Study” discusses implementation of a custom-developed AI tool intended for archival analysis of existing architectural documents and records. Retrofitting culturally significant modernist and heritage buildings, particularly located across former socialist countries in Europe, presents a distinct methodological challenge. Archival original construction […]
Read MoreActive Glazing Systems: Comparative Assessment of Thermoelectric Integration Zones in Glazed Curtain Wall Facades
“Active Glazing Systems: Comparative Assessment of Thermoelectric Integration Zones in Glazed Curtain Wall Facades” discusses integration of thermoelectric materials in glazed facade systems. Glazed building envelopes account for 30–40% of modern facades, but most research on thermoelectric (TE) integration has focused on opaque walls. Recent advances in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) systems into glazing serve […]
Read MoreGenerative Artificial Intelligence in Building Facade Design: Models, Applications, and Future Directions
“Generative Artificial Intelligence in Building Facade Design: Models, Applications, and Future Directions” provides a comprehensive review of generative AI methods for facade design and research. Facade systems in buildings contribute significantly to buildings’ aesthetic qualities, performance, and occupants’ comfort. Recent advancements in generative AI have created new opportunities for building design exploration. Despite the growing […]
Read MoreHottest Day in Salt Lake City
Prof. Ajla Aksamija’s research has been featured in the University of Utah’s reflection of the hottest recorded day in Salt Lake City, which occurred on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The temperature reached 109 degrees F on that day, and Dr. Jakob Jensen, Senior Associate Vice President for Research, stated that “[e]xtreme heat touches every part […]
Read MorePresentation at the CATE 2026 Conference
Prof. Suncica Milosevic presented a paper at the Comfort at the Extremes (CATE) 2026 Conference in Tucson, AZ, May 27 to 29. The paper “Evaluating Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of an Existing Research Laboratory Building: Seasonal Analysis of Thermal Comfort and IEQ Indices,” discusses seasonal indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance of a 13,000 m² (140,000 […]
Read MoreEvaluating Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of an Existing Research Laboratory Building: Seasonal Analysis of Thermal Comfort and IEQ Indices
“Evaluating Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of an Existing Research Laboratory Building: Seasonal Analysis of Thermal Comfort and IEQ Indices” analyzes the seasonal indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance of a 13,000 m² (140,000 ft²), five-story academic research laboratory building at the University of Utah. Using on-site environmental monitoring data, the study evaluates IEQ conditions across an […]
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