There are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes, and employees being uncomfortable with the ambient temperature of their offices. While some reach for Sherpa-lined blankets and cups of hot tea, others work up a lather that would give Paul Newman in “Cool Hand Luke” a run for his money. Not only is it difficult to find a temperature where everyone is comfortable, heating and cooling a building is also costly.
But what if you could heat the individual building occupants instead of the building itself? Not only would everyone be more comfortable, but it would also present an opportunity to conserve energy.
New wearable technology from Embr Labs, known as the Embr Wave, gives each wearer direct control over their own temperature. It utilizes the human body’s natural response to temperature to provide thermal relief by warming and cooling the user’s wrist.
Photo: Embr Labs.
Founded at MIT, the Embr Wave uses a cooling and warming thermoelectric module to help a user feel more comfortable. The temperature is controlled via a light bar located on a nickel-free anodized aluminum body.
Say a user is feeling a bit on the warm side. All they need to do is press the left side of the Embr Wave, and a cooling sensation will begin to spread across their wrist. As the Embr Wave is cooling, the aluminum heat sink warms up to dissipate heat. Press the right side and the Embr Wave will turn up the heat to warm a cold user. Because the device uses conduction heating and cooling, it can be more efficient, precise, and immediate than traditional air-conditioning or heaters.
EYP Architecture and Engineering recently equipped some of its employees with the Embr Wave and embarked on a five-week pilot study to collect product feedback and data. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of the participants said they felt more in control of their own thermal comfort while using the Embr Wave. Factors such as environmental space metrics, temperature, humidity, and other thermal data were collected and analyzed against participant surveys throughout the duration of the study.
Photo: Embr Labs.
EYP’s main goals of the study were to discover if the Embr Wave could improve human comfort, fuel productivity, and present opportunities to conserve officewide energy consumption. With the vast majority of participants saying they felt more in control of their own thermal comfort while wearing the device, EYP believes there is a potential opportunity to incorporate personal comfort devices, such as the Embr Wave, in building design planning.
EYP's participation in this study showcases how many architecture and design firms are taking an interest in their buildings long after construction has been completed in order to gain insight into how to plan more comfortable, energy-efficient, and sustainable spaces in the future.
Related Stories
Design Innovation Report | Apr 27, 2023
BD+C's 2023 Design Innovation Report
Building Design+Construction’s Design Innovation Report presents projects, spaces, and initiatives—and the AEC professionals behind them—that push the boundaries of building design. This year, we feature four novel projects and one building science innovation.
Design Innovation Report | Apr 19, 2023
Reinforced concrete walls and fins stiffen and shade the National Bank of Kuwait skyscraper
When the National Bank of Kuwait first conceived its new headquarters more than a decade ago, it wanted to make a statement about passive design with a soaring tower that could withstand the extreme heat of Kuwait City, the country’s desert capital.
Design Innovation Report | Apr 19, 2023
HDR uses artificial intelligence tools to help design a vital health clinic in India
Architects from HDR worked pro bono with iKure, a technology-centric healthcare provider, to build a healthcare clinic in rural India.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Apr 5, 2023
Façade innovation: University of Stuttgart tests a ‘saturated building skin’ for lessening heat islands
HydroSKIN is a façade made with textiles that stores rainwater and uses it later to cool hot building exteriors. The façade innovation consists of an external, multilayered 3D textile that acts as a water collector and evaporator.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Mar 23, 2023
Amsterdam debuts underwater bicycle parking facility that can accommodate over 4,000 bikes
In February, Amsterdam saw the opening of a new underwater bicycle parking facility. Located in the heart of the city—next to Amsterdam Central Station and under the river IJ (Amsterdam’s waterfront)—the facility, dubbed IJboulevard, has parking spots for over 4,000 bicycles, freeing up space on the street.
Concrete | Jan 24, 2023
Researchers investigate ancient Roman concrete to make durable, lower carbon mortar
Researchers have turned to an ancient Roman concrete recipe to develop more durable concrete that lasts for centuries and can potentially reduce the carbon impact of the built environment.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022
Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties
This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.
Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2022
4 emerging trends from BD+C's 2022 Giants 400 Report
Regenerative design, cognitive health, and jobsite robotics highlight the top trends from the 519 design and construction firms that participated in BD+C's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
AEC Tech | Apr 13, 2022
A robot automates elevator installation
Schindler—which manufactures and installs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways—has created a robot called R.I.S.E. (robotic installation system for elevators) to help install lifts in high-rise buildings.
