November Pub Talk

Science Pub: “Improving the Resiliency of the Built Environment in the Face of Increased Hazards Due to Climate Change”
November 14th, 2023 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Sip your favorite brew, while you learn a thing or two! Science Pub is an opportunity to enjoy learning about interesting topics in an informal atmosphere. Just bring your curiosity and a thirst to learn!

There are 2 ways to be at this event:

1. In Person – Paradise Creek Brewery will be seating indoors at 100% capacity and the pub talk will be broadcast/projected on a the large projection screen in the pub/restaurant area.
2. On Zoom – Register for the Zoom Talk HERE. Place a food/drink order for pick up at Paradise Creek Brewery’s Downtown Restaurant – 245 SE Paradise St, Pullman. Local delivery is also available. Tip: Place your order early so it’s ready by Pub talk time.

See the Facebook event here

This month’s speakers:

Join David Drake, Dan Dolan and Omar Al-Hassawi on Nov 14th for their pub talk, “Improving the Resiliency of the Built Environment in the Face of Increased Hazards Due to Climate Change”.

In the face of continual changes in the wind, rain, snow, and heat hazards due to climate change, and the continual hazard of earthquakes in significant regions of the United States, changes need to be made to how houses are built and how the overall construction is regulated. Currently, environmental control systems in buildings account for 40% of the total energy used in the United States (75% of the electrical use and 35% of the nation’s carbon emissions (NREL)).  Also, a typical level of loss from a significant earthquake is in on the order of $30-50 Billion. Improvements and changes need to be made in how we design, build, and operate buildings. This talk will cover some of the possible systems for improving the sustainability and resilience of buildings.

In an effort to reduce the impact of cooling the interior of buildings, new passive and hybrid downdraft cooling technologies are being developed that could reduce the energy necessary to maintain comfortable environments for the occupants living or working inside the buildings. With the changing climate, wildfires have become an increasing hazard for the built environment. New drywall blocks that are fabricated to reduce the carbon footprint of the building and utilize some of the construction and demolition waste materials are also being developed to further reduce the environmental impact of the building construction and significantly improve the resistance of the building. Finally, the design and regulation of the construction of buildings needs to continue to evolve to ensure that the buildings constructed are able to resist these increasing hazards and protect the people, investments, and communities for the long-term. This talk will provide some understanding of how these technologies are being developed and how they are being introduced to the built environment in a sustainable manner that will improve the livability and resilience of the built environment as well as the communities of the future.

Dr. Omar Al-Hassawi, Assistant Professor of Architecture, teaches graduate design studios and a passive environmental control systems course. His Ph.D. research at Arizona State University focused on passive cooling systems that can be applied to building design by architects prior to considering the implementation of active mechanical systems. During the years that preceded the start of his Ph.D. journey, Omar practiced architecture across the Middle East and was involved in the design of key projects in the region such as the Capital Market Authority Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Amman, Jordan.

Dr. Daniel Dolan is a professor emeritus in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.  His specialization is in how timber and masonry structures respond to dynamic loads such as floor vibration, hurricanes, and earthquakes. He has served on the Building Seismic Safety Council since 1992, International Code Council’s Structures Committee for the International Building Code, and helped draft the initial edition and served on the Building and Energy Update Committee for the International Residential Code. He has also served on the committees for updating the design standards for wood and masonry construction.  He has assisted in drafting model building codes or design standards for China, Chile, and France, and helped Saudi Arabia develop a licensing process for structural engineers.  He currently serves on the FEMA/ATC Seismic Code Support Committee, and the Building Seismic Safety Council. He is part of a team of researchers that has just successfully completed testing of the tallest structure ever tested on an earthquake table (a 10-story mass timber building).

David Drake is an Assistant Professor Career Track and Director of the SDC Fabrication Labs. Drake also co-directs the Reuse Design Laboratory. Trained as both an artist and designer, he holds Masters of Fine Arts (Sculpture) and Masters of Architecture degrees. His sculptural objects and installations have been exhibited across the United States and in Canada. His work as a designer includes contemporary furniture, ultralight backpacking equipment, and production design for theater and independent film. His work as a researcher includes patent-pending methods and mixtures for masonry construction blocks produced with drywall waste. Current research includes development of novel high-performance building materials produced from low-value construction and demolition waste.