The issue of limited resources and a closed ecology presents us with unavoidable concerns in the fields of energy usage, environmental pollution, and sustainable designs and lifestyles. There is a resurgence of interest in the relationship between resources and buildings, and between resources, landscapes and buildings.

Conversely, an issue of increasing interest to architects is the issue of light and perception in buildings. It is intrinsically related to the perception of space, form, and concept, as well as the simple functional considerations. Under guidance of the faculty students do examinations into the environmental control areas of natural lighting, lighting design, energy and water conservation, life cycle impact, and other issues critical in the field. Extensive computer simulations have been developed, as well as methods for examining and testing physical models. Students in the program have published many papers in national and international forums. See papers for a few abstracts.

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