As the Spring semester comes to a close, we want to thank the students, faculty, and staff of RISD’s Interior Architecture Department for an engaging and rewarding experience. It was a privilege for Stephen Turner, Amanda Harding, and Chloe Castaneda of Stephen Turner Inc. to teach about Energy & Systems and to share lessons learned from commissioning and high-performance building projects. We were continually impressed by the students’ curiosity, creativity, and willingness to tackle complex challenges at the intersection of design and building performance.

Over the semester, students explored how buildings perform through the lens of energy, comfort, sustainability, and resilience. We examined topics ranging from building envelope and HVAC systems to daylighting, water systems, material selection, operational vs. embodied carbon, the challenges of adaptive reuse projects, and the critical relationship between design intent and real-world building operation. Through discussions, case studies, and applied projects, students developed a deeper understanding of how building systems shape both the occupant experience and environmental impact of the built environment.

Thank you to RISD and the Interior Architecture Department for the opportunity to contribute to the education of the next generation of designers. We look forward to seeing how these students apply their knowledge to create more thoughtful, sustainable, and resilient buildings in the years ahead.