Harvard Researchers Unveil an Array of Promising Projects Aimed at Enhancing the World’s Built Environment

Center for Green Buildings and Cities spotlights sampling of faculty findings during Climate Action Week

Jim Stock delivers keynote address at, "Designing Sustainable Solutions of Better Built Environment."CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 22, 2023 – For Jim Stock, Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University, Harvard’s contributions to real-world climate solutions are a source of great optimism. “Climate change requires leadership from all sectors of society – Universities, too, must lead. Faculty across Harvard’s many areas of expertise are working to rise to that challenge,” said Stock.

Following Stock’s keynote address at the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC) and Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) event, “Designing Sustainable Solutions for a Better Built Environment,” the hybrid audience heard updates from a wide range of CGBC faculty-researchers, each focused on developing and implementing uniquely resilient, sustainable, real-world solutions to challenges posed by the global climate crisis.

“The passionate, multi-disciplinary researchers and their teams demonstrated how their work, funded by the Center, contributes to the re-imagining of the built environment by developing new processes, systems, and products – at scale – that will lead to more sustainable and high-performance buildings and cities,” said Ali Malkawi, founding director of the CGBC. “We are deeply grateful to Jim Stock, GSD Dean Sarah Whiting, and all of our faculty and students who recognize the broader importance of these projects and appreciate the urgency to develop sound, sustainable solutions to benefit all inhabitants of a fragile planet.”

Professor Martin Bechthold presents at, "Designing Sustainable Solutions for a Better Built Environment."The session featured presentations from professors Holly Samuelson, Peter Rowe, Niall Kirkwood, Rosalea Monacella, Jonathan Grinham, and Martin Bechthold, accompanied by DDes candidate Maroula Zacharias. Areas of focus ranged from perceptions about sustainability, to studio courses on climate resilience, to glass properties and a carbon-free grid.

“Our exceptional faculty are researching incredibly urgent topics related to climate change and the built environment. Disseminating this research through publications, studio courses, exhibitions, and other formats, they are ensuring that our students and audiences beyond learn of new possibilities for better futures.” said GSD Dean Sarah Whiting.

Learn more about the CGBC’s faculty research, and read more highlights from the CGBC’s faculty research projects.