BUILDING HEROes

Julia K. Day
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The 2024 podcast series will revolve around new and innovative approaches to the methods, materials, and technologies used in the construction and operation of the built environment. We have an exciting lineup of experts in the industry to discuss these key components of building operations, and will have EIGHT episodes in 2024!. Check them out!

  1. 5d ago

    Highlighting Advanced Performance DOAS at Schweitzer Engineering Hall

    Discover how Schweitzer Engineering Hall (SEH) at Washington State University showcases advanced building design through innovative mechanical systems. In this episode of the Building HEROes Podcast, engineers share the ideas, technologies, and challenges behind creating a high-performance educational building. Designed to inspire future engineers and builders, SEH features classrooms, lecture halls, study spaces, and academic offices while demonstrating how engineering and building operations can work together. The episode explores the building’s dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), which supports indoor comfort and humidity control in densely occupied classrooms. Engineers explain how energy recovery transfers heat between incoming and outgoing air streams, reducing heating and cooling demands. They also discuss system selection, construction costs, maintenance requirements, and long-term operational needs. Listeners will learn about the Nodal Utility Plant and its role in WSU’s campus infrastructure, along with the importance of evaluating life-cycle costs and building maintenance. The featured engineers share insights into building codes, design challenges, and the collaboration required to create a high-performance facility. Whether you are an architecture or engineering student or a building professional, this episode offers insight into sustainable design, advanced building systems, and the engineering decisions that support occupant comfort and effective facility operations.

    Highlighting Advanced Performance DOAS at Schweitzer Engineering Hall

  2. Jan 9

    University of Oregon's Integrated Design Lab with Mark Fretz and Siobhan Rockcastle

    The Institute for Health in the Built Environment aims to develop innovative design concepts that create healthier inhabited spaces. It achieves this by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across architecture, biology, medicine, chemistry, and engineering, translating research into practical design, construction, and building operations through a network of engaged industry partners. Recognizing that the current understanding of what constitutes a “healthy building” is fragmented and often poorly reflected in practice, the Institute pursues an integrated approach to research and application, promoting health at multiple scales, from individual occupants to the broader planetary environment. This podcast explores energy efficiency and building systems affect on humans in the built environment.

  3. 12/12/2025

    Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate: Inside a New Global Research Network

    In this episode of the Building Heroes podcast, host Julia Day introduces the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy and Buildings in Communities Programme (EBC) Annex 95 and Users TCP: Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate, referred to as the Human-Centric Buildings Network, or simply “the Network”. Joined by fellow Operating Agents Liam O’Brien (Carleton University), Zoltan Nagy (TU Eindhoven), and Marianne Touchie (University of Toronto), the conversation explores how buildings must better respond to human needs as climate change, extreme events, and the energy transition reshape daily life. The guests share their backgrounds in human–building interaction, energy flexibility, and multifamily building performance, and break down what an IEA “annex” actually is and how this international network is structured. The discussion spans four core themes (human–building interactions, community-scale equity and sufficiency, building design and retrofit, and building operation), highlighting current research on building interfaces, behavioral nudging, and closing the loop between design intent and post-occupancy performance. The episode closes with reflections on the power of global, interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle wicked problems and advance healthier, more resilient, and energy-efficient buildings. Our journal paper introducing the Network: Energy and Buildings article entitled “Human-centric buildings for a changing climate: Introducing a new International Energy Agency research network,” has just been published: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116802 Where to Learn more! IEA EBC Annex 95 and Users TCP - Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate Website: https://annex95.iea-ebc.org/Interested in participating? Join our e-mail distribution list via the website homepage, listed above.Need to contact us? Questions? Contact us at iea.human.centric@gmail.com

    Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate: Inside a New Global Research Network

  4. 12/11/2025

    University of Washington's Integrated Design Lab with Chris Meek and Heather Burpee

    The Integrated Design Lab conducts research to advance knowledge and policies that promote healthier, high-performing buildings and cities. By measuring and analyzing both modeled and real building performance data, the Lab helps the industry improve building design and operations. Its research focuses on energy efficiency, daylighting, electric lighting, occupant behavior, human health and productivity, and advanced building management systems. This podcast examines systems and applications in which the UW IDL promotes energy efficiency and decarbonization in buildings across our Region.

  5. 10/25/2025

    University of Idaho's Integrated Design Laboratory with Damon Woods

    During his time at Boise State, while pursuing his graduate studies, Damon developed a passion for energy efficiency. He initially focused on aerospace engineering and renewables, and eventually shifted his focus to wind and hydrokinetic energy. The realization that buildings use such a high percentage of our country’s overall energy use led him to Idaho’s Integrated Design Lab, where his research earned him the title of director in 2021. This podcast examines the energy used by individual building systems and provides efficient alternatives based on energy modeling and outlines the importance of selecting components that balance energy and comfort. Dr. Woods is a licensed mechanical engineer who started working at the IDL as a graduate student back in 2013. His dissertation used energy models paired with weather forecasts to predict how a radiant slab should be managed to maximize occupant comfort. His current research focus is on the integration of surface temperatures into building energy management systems. Dr. Woods has taught courses in advanced thermodynamics and energy modeling. In the office, he spends his time working on energy models and estimating savings from energy upgrades; out of the office he is usually fly fishing or gardening. Dr. Woods earned his B.S. from Montana State University, his M.S. from Boise State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Idaho.

    University of Idaho's Integrated Design Laboratory with Damon Woods

  6. 02/28/2025

    Inland Northwest Energy Futures

    The Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) at Washington State University Tri-Cities is dedicated to advancing a sustainable clean energy future. INEF takes an integrated systems approach to optimize the balance between emerging clean technologies, existing resources, and their economic, social, and political impacts. The institute fosters collaboration, innovation, and policy development to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon electricity and transportation fuels. As a virtual hub, INEF connects experts, drives research, educates future clean energy leaders, and engages with communities and tribal groups. Their goal is to create resilient, affordable, and environmentally harmonious energy systems.

  7. 01/15/2025

    Composite Materials and Sustainable [RE]Use of Resources in the Built Environment

    Joining us for this episode are Karl Englund and Hui Li of WSU's Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC) who discuss their use of low-value feedstocks in the engineering of new and innovative products. Karl and Hui delve into their experiences in the timber and polymer industry, sharing their unique work of turning what is otherwise trash (such as wood pulps, fibers, etc) into useable and durable products for construction.

  8. 12/10/2024

    Hazardous Materials in Building Retrofits: A conversation with Puget Sound Abatement

    This episode we talk with two experts from Puget Sound Abatement who cover all aspects of abatement services, as well as talking about the risk of things in homes such as lead pipes, and asbestos. These experts walk through the job site etiquette and discuss the future need for abatement services.

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About

The 2024 podcast series will revolve around new and innovative approaches to the methods, materials, and technologies used in the construction and operation of the built environment. We have an exciting lineup of experts in the industry to discuss these key components of building operations, and will have EIGHT episodes in 2024!. Check them out!

Information

  • Creator
    Julia K. Day
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Julia K. Day, ID+CL
  • Show Website
    BUILDING HEROes