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Vital
Signs EQUIPMENT TOOLKIT LOAN PROGRAMREQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 1998-99 ACADEMIC YEAR
Background Over the past five years, the Vital Signs Project has coordinated the development of course materials addressing fundamental concepts in physical building performance. Each Resource Package covers a different performance topic, such as whole building energy use, indoor air quality, the dynamics of solar shading devices and building mechanical systems. Modular in format, the materials are intended to be adapted for use by individual instructors in architecture programs nationwide. The Resource Packages were distributed to all ACSA member schools of architecture in the USA and Canada in the spring of 1996 and can be downloaded from the Vital Signs web site on the internet. Central to each of the packages are guided exercises that enable students to conduct field investigations aimed at examining the relationship between design decision making and the physical environment of existing buildings. Students are encouraged to write up the findings of their investigations as concise case studies that can be shared with other students and ultimately members of the building professions.The loan of equipment tool kits to schools of architecture is part of our ongoing effort to support faculty and students as they undertake investigations of building performance. The equipment kit effort began several years ago, when Vital Signs submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation’s Instructional Laboratory Improvement Program. Vital Signs received $100,000 on the condition that it match this amount with contributions from other sources. With completion of the acquisition of matching funds in spring of 1997, the first set of loans took place with the fall semester. We anticipate that the experience gained by educators through our loan program will lead them to identify and acquire those pieces of equipment that most successfully support their teaching efforts and their school’s curriculum. We also look forward to fostering communication between faculty and schools regarding the development of new and innovative field study techniques appropriate to the full range of students enrolled in architecture degree programs. RFPs for use of the tool kits will be issued on an annual basis. Objectives The principal goal of the RFP is to enable faculty and students to gain experience with data monitoring equipment as they undertake investigations of building performance. A second goal, in accordance with the provisions of the NSF award, is to assure that the tool kits are used by a broad range of students. This RFP also encompasses other objectives. These goals are to: 1. Foster the exchange of ideas, techniques, and experiences related to architectural education and the physical performance of buildings; 2. Transform research information and results into case studies to be shared among students, educators and the design profession; 3. Provide "hands-on" experience with equipment, so that educators can propose informed equipment purchases to their own institutions; 4. Support and build upon the work of architecture schools and individuals having demonstrated excellence in research and/or teaching related to energy-efficient performance of buildings. Eligibility for Consideration This RFP is open to any faculty member at an architecture school that is a full member of the American Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) or architectural engineering programs with degrees accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Schools must be in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico. In all cases, the Principal Investigator for the institution must be a member of the Architecture or Architectural Engineering faculty of the submitting institution. We encourage faculty to collaborate in joint proposals, within your institution, to share the equipment during the requested loan period.Calendar February 2, 1998: RFP Available |
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author: bburke@ All contents copyright (C) 1998. Vital Signs Project. All rights reserved. Created: 01/22/98 |
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