The Durham School hosts third-annual Future of the Building Industry Workshop and Ph.D. Symposium

The Durham School held its third-annual Future of the Building Industry (FoBI) Workshop on May 22-23, 2024, at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The Durham School's annual Ph.D. Symposium took place with this, creating a dynamic platform for collaboration and innovation.

Returning to the theme "Opportunities of an Aging Population," the event brought together experts from academia, industry, and government to brainstorm and discuss innovative solutions for high-performance, sustainable, and healthy smart infrastructure. 

The 1.5-day workshop featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and invited experts who shared their insights and research findings with an engaged audience. Keynote speakers included:

• Dr. Marjorie Skubic, Curators' Distinguished Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, who shared her pioneering research on smart home technologies and aging;
• Todd Stubbendieck, Nebraska State Director of AARP Nebraska, who highlighted the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population;
• Charles Durrett, Owner and Principal of The Cohousing Company, who discussed the benefits and design principles of cohousing communities.

The workshop covered several key themes crucial to addressing the needs of an aging population:

• Indoor Environmental Quality / Smart Buildings: Discussions centered around how smart building technologies can improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and overall comfort for older adults.
• Home and Community-Based Services: Experts explored ways to enhance the delivery of services that allow older adults to live independently in their homes and communities.
• Age-Friendly Communities: Sessions focused on designing communities that are inclusive, accessible, and supportive of older adults' needs.
• Cohousing and Affordable Housing: The importance of developing affordable and supportive housing options for aging populations was a significant topic of discussion.

Participants engaged in breakout sessions to identify top-priority problems among aging populations and to brainstorm actionable solutions. These sessions facilitated in-depth discussions and collaborative problem-solving, resulting in innovative ideas and strategies for the future. The full program may be found here, and a video summary of the event is accessible on the Durham School’s YouTube page.

Immediately following the FoBI workshop was the Durham School's annual Ph.D. Symposium which provided a platform for senior level graduate students pursuing their doctoral degrees to present their research to faculty, staff, students, and industry professionals. This symposium showcased cutting-edge research and fostered discussions on a wide range of topics related to building industry advancements.

By bringing together a diverse group of experts and scholars, the Durham School’s FoBI Workshop and Ph.D. Symposium facilitated knowledge exchange, fostered new collaborations, and highlighted the school's visionary approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities of an aging population.