MANY design firms have in-house research and development programs to help foster innovative and habitual breakthrough thinking. Little’s LaceUp mini-grant initiative is one such successful program.
Since launching in 2013, LaceUp has funded 43 unique projects, including a program to convert shipping containers into pop-up retail buildings and a forum for young professionals to share ideas and network with the firm’s practice groups.
The crown jewel of the LaceUp initiative is the Center for Building Performance (CBP), which takes a holistic approach to optimizing buildings for occupants and owners throughout the design, construction, and occupancy phases. The center has been in operation for a year and has already helped the firm win 14 jobs: two workplace retrofits, five retail projects, five university new construction projects, and two civic new construction projects.
The program’s architects and engineers conduct simple box modeling on design ideas and present the results in interviews to show the potential for customized high-performance solutions.
“We remain involved with projects from concept through at least one year of occupancy to measure and verify the success of each high performance strategy,” says Elizabeth Ratner, CBP’s Director. “This real-life feedback will help us refine future recommendations, create more accurate energy models, and improve our controls design and occupant training.”
Read about more innovations from BD+C's 2016 Great Solutions Report
Related Stories
AEC Tech Innovation | Mar 9, 2022
Meet Emerge: WSP USA's new AEC tech incubator
Pooja Jain, WSP’s VP-Strategic Innovation, discusses the pilot programs her firm’s new incubator, Emerge, has initiated with four tech startup companies. Jain speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about the four AEC tech firms to join Cohort 1 of the firm’s incubator.
Great Solutions | Jan 18, 2022
Researchers develop concept for rechargeable cement-based batteries
Researchers from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, have created a concept for rechargeable batteries made of cement. The concept involves a cement-based mixture with small amounts of short carbon fibers added to increase conductivity and flexural toughness.
Great Solutions | Nov 22, 2021
Drywall robots take the risk out of the finishing process
Canvas is using robots to complement the work already being done by drywall professionals.
Great Solutions | Sep 23, 2021
Seattle looks to become America’s most walkable city with a new citywide wayfinding system
Seamless Seattle will support the Seattle Department of Transportation’s commitment to increase the percentage of trips made by walking to 35% by 2035.
Great Solutions | Jul 9, 2021
MojoDesk creates a new solution for managing open office distractions
The MojoDome allows for a private work space while also maintaining a collaborative environment.
Great Solutions | Mar 18, 2021
Follow the leader: New following technology better equips robots for the jobsite
New proof-of-concept from Piaggio Fast Forward and Trimble enables robots and machines to follow humans.
Great Solutions | Feb 11, 2021
Simplifying the return to the office
A new web-based tool from Sasaki takes the guesswork out of heading back to the workplace.
Great Solutions | Oct 6, 2020
Could water-filled windows help buildings save energy?
New research shows how water-filled glass could help heat and cool buildings.
Great Solutions | Aug 10, 2020
From lobby to penthouse, elevators can be a 100% touch-free experience
The Toe-To-Go elevator system allows riders to operate the elevator entirely with their feet.
Great Solutions | Jul 13, 2020
Essential protection for businesses
Custom protective barriers help keep essential business employees safe.
