May 17, 2017

UW IDL Launches Partnership Initiative

The University of Washington’s Integrated Design Lab (IDL) has launched its Partnership Initiative, a mechanism to unite leading design and construction firms around a shared research vision to advance the highest performing built environment in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

The Partnership Initiative will work toward three goals: establishing an Advisory Board to help guide the IDL’s strategic direction; ensuring IDL’s research and technical work is informed by and addresses the most pressing challenges faced by project teams; and developing a shared research agenda to be implemented by graduate research assistant (GSA) students from the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments. Participants in the Initiative will contribute to the IDL, supporting the lab in its role as a technical, research, and educational resource for design practitioners.

“The initiative will help formalize our engagement with the design community, and ensure that there is strong continuity between our research and current design practice,” said Chris Meek, Director of the Integrated Design Lab. “We’re excited to work closer with leading design professionals to improve building performance and reduce building energy consumption in a meaningful, lasting way.”

The Partnership Initiative includes different membership levels, providing an opportunity for all members to guide and leverage research focused on emerging design technologies and methods.

“Partners will also have an opportunity to shape tomorrow’s design leaders,” said Heather Burpee, Director of IDL Education and Outreach. “They will have direct access to uniquely qualified job candidates positioned to transform the market.”

The IDL is currently accepting membership applications and will convene the Initiative’s first annual Advisory Board meeting in Summer 2017.

To learn more about the Partnership Initiative click here, or contact Chris Meek or Heather Burpee at 202-616-6566.