Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics
CBPD
Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace. © Karl Backus
The Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics (CBPD) at Carnegie Mellon University conducts research, demonstrations and teaching to advance the sustainability and performance of buildings and communities.
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In conjunction with its university-industry-government partnership, the Advanced Building Systems Integration Consortium (ABSIC), the CBPD is engaged in ground-breaking work that investigates the impact of natural and advanced technologies on the physical, environmental, and social quality in buildings and communities.
Established in 1988, ABSIC is a university-industry-government partnership to pursue research, demonstration, and development towards improving the quality and performance of commercial buildings and building systems. Over 50 building industries and 10 government agencies have joined with the CBPD over the past 30 years to advance building systems and systems integration for environmental sustainability, human health and productivity, and organizational flexibility and performance.
In addition to the Master of Science in Building Performance & Diagnostics (MSBPD) degree program, the CBPD launched the first PhD in building science in the United States, the PhD in Building Performance & Diagnostics (PhD-BPD), in 1975. In 1995, the Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) degree program was added to immerse practitioners in sustainable, high performance design curriculum. In 2015, the Doctor of Design (DDes) (formerly Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP)) program was launched as an opportunity for mid-career professionals to pursue doctoral degrees in sustainability and high performance built environments while continuing their careers.
The CBPD and ABSIC collaborated to create the Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace (IW), a living laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University dedicated to advancing innovations in building enclosure, mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, and interior systems, as well as their integration for individual productivity, organizational adaptability, human comfort and health, as well as the highest level of environmental sustainability.
Research
High Performance Design Guidelines
The Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics (CBPD) and ABSIC continue the development of High-Performance Building Design Guidelines to ensure that the design/engineering of building systems and systems integration delivers high performance buildings for individual comfort and productivity, organizational flexibility, technological adaptability, and environmental sustainability. These guidelines identify major system innovations for performance and critical system integration issues for early design decision-making to educate professionals about high performance building characteristics, illustrate innovation for clients and their design teams to encourage investments in quality, and provide a framework for structuring early design workshops for collaborative, multi-disciplinary design.
The Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics (CBPD) and ABSIC continue the development of High-Performance Building Design Guidelines to ensure that the design/engineering of building systems and systems integration delivers high performance buildings for individual comfort and productivity, organizational flexibility, technological adaptability, and environmental sustainability. These guidelines identify major system innovations for performance and critical system integration issues for early design decision-making to educate professionals about high performance building characteristics, illustrate innovation for clients and their design teams to encourage investments in quality, and provide a framework for structuring early design workshops for collaborative, multi-disciplinary design.
Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace (IW)
A living laboratory for research and demonstration of systems integration for thermal, visual, acoustic, air quality, and spatial performance. The Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace is located inside Margaret Morrison Hall and was completed in 1997.
A living laboratory for research and demonstration of systems integration for thermal, visual, acoustic, air quality, and spatial performance. The Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace is located inside Margaret Morrison Hall and was completed in 1997.
High Performance Schools & Hospitals
Field performance analysis and guidelines to advance high performance school and hospital design and operations. Researchers develop design guidelines for high performance schools and hospitals, incorporating feedback from the field.
Field performance analysis and guidelines to advance high performance school and hospital design and operations. Researchers develop design guidelines for high performance schools and hospitals, incorporating feedback from the field.
Intelligent Workplace Energy Supply Systems & Controls
Design and testing of advanced energy supply and conditioning systems integrated with passive conditioning through control innovations.
Design and testing of advanced energy supply and conditioning systems integrated with passive conditioning through control innovations.
Faculty
The CBPD faculty are among the world’s leading experts in sustainable design, building science, and the performance of advanced building and community systems. They are actively engaged in research, public policy, and graduate and undergraduate teaching.
Associate Professor, DEI Director & DDes Track Chair
Professor & MSSD Track Chair
Professor Emeritus
Professor & Head
Professor Emeritus
Associate Teaching Professor & AECM Track Chair
Professor Emeritus
University Professor
Visiting Associate Professor
Assistant Professor in Building Technology & BPD Track Chair
Facilities
Contact
Assistant Professor in Building Technology & BPD Track Chair
University Professor
Associate Professor, DEI Director & DDes Track Chair