The Nature Identity project develops a new framework for understanding the human-nature relationship through the lens of self and nature. Rather than treating nature as a single universal idea, we examine how each person comes to define, experience, and internalize nature as part of who they are. Our aim is to ground a theory of Nature Identity that can inform how we design built environments where nature is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Read MoreThe Urban Nature Identity Study investigates how the simple practice of noticing everyday nature shapes wellbeing, connection to nature, and our sense of what nature is. Using a two-week smartphone-based study that combines photovoice with daily check-ins, we capture how city residents notice, photograph, and make meaning of nature in their immediate surroundings. In partnership with Gehl, we aim to understand how directed noticing and design-and-technology tools can transform cities from sites of separation into spaces of reconnection between people, place, and planet.
Read MoreThis project is a collaboration that brings together researchers across multiple Stanford schools and other universities. We collaborate to generate new knowledge regarding aspects of the built environment that promote both environmental sustainability and occupant wellbeing.
Read MoreThe Hybrid Physical+Digital Spaces (HPDS) collaboration is developing an intelligent home sensing system to help older adults age in place and ease the strain on healthcare systems. We aim to design ambient intelligence within built environments to support older adult care as well as provide upskilling of personal health aides to improve their career opportunities and outcomes.
Read MoreWe are extending the functionalities of the AI-assisted Stanford Online Deliberation Platform, to create a tool that cities and communities worldwide can easily implement for their regional climate adaptation challenges.
Read MoreThis project, led by Prof. Catherine Gorlé, aims to (1) better understand the implementation challenges of natural cooling, and (2) design solutions and policies to address them by working closely with occupants, building designers, and policy makers.
Read MoreA suite of human-centered, techno-biophilic digital-physical interventions, known as Biophilic Illusions, are being designed to enhance human-building interaction by incorporating ambient reflections of nature into built environments.
Read MoreGlobally, an estimated twenty-eight million people are trapped in forced labor. In this project, we aim to develop a framework for geochemically identifying and/or verifying the origin of imported cement and its constituent materials.
Read MoreIn this project we are using interpretable machine learning methods to predict the risk of forced labor in mining operations for raw materials across various locations. Our goal is to help equip U.S. material specifiers and government officials with tools to mitigate the importation of materials linked to forced labor and unchecked environmental impacts.
Read MoreThis study explores the multidimensional impacts of sustainable retrofits on older adult resident wellbeing. We aim to develop actionable insights and a framework for future human-centric sustainable retrofit design.
Read MoreThis project led by Prof. Jade Benjamin-Chung (Department of Epidemiology) employs a planetary health framework to jointly investigate whether “green” concrete floors made with an alternative cement mix can improve child health while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
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