{rewrite} Architecture firms value data-driven design, but struggle to incorporate research into practice. Common barriers stem from a culture and profession not traditionally engaged in research – a context in which billable projects constrain staff time and firm structures limit capacity for non-traditional work. In response, an architecturally focused University Research Center, has brought together thirteen partner firms to drive research-informed change in regional practice in the short-term, with a long-term vision to develop uniquely qualified professionals in high performance building design maximize both environmental and human experience goals. The Partnership serves multi-pronged purposes: helping unite practice and academics, sharing in teaching and education, and developing shared research tools and methods.
Shared Research Project: Partner firms recognize that significant future improvements in energy efficient buildings will be underpinned in large-part by synergistic qualities of human experience such as occupant perception, organizational mission enhancements, improved health outcomes, and increased productivity. These values of high-performance design are well-accepted, yet how various attributes are supported by research can be difficult for firms to consolidate and communicate. Thereby common understanding, buy-in, and adoption can be challenging for design practitioners to attain.