In our Building Envelope Systems course for architectural engineering students, we read an article about innovative smart materials for the building envelope. Each student then conducted additional research on a specific type of smart material and created a graphical abstract or infographic on the topic, targeting a general audience. These are a few examples of their submissions. They did a great job!
This low-pressure assignment (5% of their grade) teaches them about innovations in building envelope materials while improving research and communication skills. They also got to try a scientific image and illustration software to help with the visual presentation. Sometimes you may have the best idea, but the competition has better communication skills and wins the project (and the client). In our course, we practice oral, written, AND visual communication to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
