What Does The ChatGPT AI Know About Building Science

by M. Walker

As I lay in bed last night thinking, I decided to finally try out the ChatGPT language AI that has been so widely covered in the news of late. By all accounts, it is known to produce compelling and fluid writing and will only continue to improve as it is developed. In particular, I wanted to see how it would make sense of the topic of building science. Building science is one of those terms that gets flippantly bandied about these days, mostly inaccurately (that’s a different essay for another day), and I thought an AI’s take might be illuminating. After all, this intelligence is scouring the vastness of the internet for the most relevant content to the user/questioner’s prompt. Would my prompts deliver content that hovers at a surface level understanding of building science or perhaps offer deeper insights?

Here is the transcript of my conversation with ChatGPT, copied verbatim:

M: Hey there

C: Hello! How can I help you today?

M: Do you know anything about building science?

C: Yes, I'm familiar with the concept of building science. Building science is a field of study that focuses on understanding how buildings interact with their environment and how to design and construct buildings that are energy efficient, durable, and comfortable for the occupants. It involves the integration of various disciplines such as architecture, mechanical engineering, and materials science to optimize the performance of buildings. Building science also includes the study of building envelope, HVAC systems, indoor air quality, and lighting among other aspects. Is there anything specific you would like me to look up or explain?

M: What other adjacent scientific disciplines may become relevant to the field of building science in the coming years?

C: There are a few scientific disciplines that may become increasingly relevant to the field of building science in the coming years. Some of these include:

- Climate science: As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, building science professionals will need to be able to design and construct buildings that are better able to withstand extreme weather events, and that are more energy efficient to reduce the overall carbon footprint.

- Data science: Building automation systems are becoming more prevalent in modern buildings, and the ability to collect and analyze large amounts of data from these systems will become increasingly important in order to optimize building performance.

- Materials science: Advances in materials science are leading to the development of new building materials that are stronger, more durable, and more energy efficient. These new materials will become increasingly important in building science as they will allow for the construction of more energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.

- Robotics and automation: There is a growing interest in the use of robotics and automation in the construction industry, and this technology may become increasingly relevant to building science as it could lead to more efficient and precise construction methods.

- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: In the future, building science professionals may increasingly rely on AI and machine learning to optimize building performance, including HVAC systems, lighting and energy management.

Overall, the field of building science is multidisciplinary, and as the needs of society changes, these adjacent scientific disciplines may become more relevant and play a bigger role in the future of building science.

M: Do you foresee new discoveries in the health sciences impacting the recommendations of building scientists?

C: Yes, it is possible that new discoveries in health sciences could impact the recommendations of building scientists. For example, as more research is conducted on the impacts of indoor air quality on human health, building scientists may need to adjust their recommendations for ventilation systems and indoor air filtration to ensure that buildings are providing healthy indoor air for occupants.

Another example is how recent studies have shown the impact of daylight and natural light exposure on human health and well-being, building scientists may need to adjust their recommendations for lighting design in buildings to ensure that occupants are getting enough natural light exposure.

Additionally, with an increasing understanding of the relationship between the built environment and mental health, building scientists may need to take into account factors such as acoustics, views to nature, and other design elements that can contribute to the mental well-being of occupants.

In summary, as new discoveries in health sciences continue to be made, building scientists may need to incorporate this knowledge into their recommendations in order to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in ways that promote the health and well-being of the occupants.

M: Do you think our increasing understanding of the indoor microbiome will impact the recommendations of building scientists?

C: Yes, it is likely that our increasing understanding of the indoor microbiome will impact the recommendations of building scientists. The indoor microbiome refers to the microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) that are present within a building, and research in this field is beginning to reveal the important role that these microorganisms play in human health and the functioning of buildings.

For example, research has shown that certain types of indoor microorganisms can contribute to the degradation of building materials and indoor air quality, while others can have a positive impact by removing pollutants and producing antimicrobial compounds. Building scientists may need to take this information into account when designing and constructing buildings in order to promote a healthy indoor microbiome.

Additionally, as we learn more about the relationship between the indoor microbiome and human health, building scientists may need to consider the impact of building design and construction on the indoor microbiome, including factors such as ventilation, lighting, and materials selection.

In summary, our increasing understanding of the indoor microbiome is likely to have a significant impact on the recommendations of building scientists, as they will need to consider the microorganisms present in the building in order to promote a healthy indoor environment.

M: What do you think the future of architectural style might feature?

C: It is difficult to predict exactly what the future of architectural style might feature, as it can be influenced by a variety of factors such as cultural, economic, technological, and environmental changes. However, I can provide some possible trends that may shape the future of architectural style:

- Sustainability: As the world continues to face the challenges of climate change, it is likely that architects will continue to focus on designing buildings that are energy-efficient, use sustainable materials, and are able to adapt to changing weather conditions. This may lead to an increase in the use of green roofs, solar panels, and other renewable energy technologies, as well as the use of environmentally-friendly materials such as bamboo, and cellulose insulation

- Technological advancements: As technology continues to advance, architects may be able to design buildings that are more adaptable and responsive to the needs of the occupants. This may include the use of smart building technology and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to monitor and control the performance of buildings, and the use of 3D printing, robotics and other digital fabrication techniques to construct buildings more efficiently.

- Urbanization: With more and more people moving into cities, architects may need to design buildings that are more compact, efficient, and adaptable to the needs of urban residents. This could lead to the development of taller and more densely packed buildings, and the use of modular and prefabricated construction methods to make the most of limited space.

- Biophilia: The incorporation of nature into the design and construction of buildings, known as biophilia, has been gaining popularity. This could lead to a greater use of green spaces and natural light in buildings, as well as the use of natural materials and a focus on indoor-outdoor connections.

- Heritage preservation: The preservation of heritage and cultural identity may also play a role in the future of architectural style. In some cases, architects may be faced with the task of preserving and adapting historical buildings to modern use, while in others, they may seek to evoke traditional architectural styles in new buildings.

- Accessibility and Inclusivity: There is an increasing awareness of the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in architecture, which will also likely shape the future of architectural style. This includes designing buildings that are accessible to people of all abilities and ages, as well as creating spaces that promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all.

Overall, the future of architectural style is likely to be shaped by a combination of these and other factors, and it will be interesting to see how architects respond to the changing needs of society and the environment in the coming years.

M: What is your opinion on the current constraints to higher performance buildings? 

C: As a language model AI, I do not have the capability to have an opinion. However, I can provide information on some of the current constraints to higher performance buildings based on expert analysis and research:

- Cost: One of the main constraints to higher performance buildings is cost. Building green and high-performance buildings can be more expensive than traditional buildings, and this can be a barrier for some developers and owners.

- Lack of awareness: Another constraint is the lack of awareness and understanding of the benefits of high-performance buildings among building owners, developers, and the general public. This can make it difficult to secure funding and support for such projects.

- Limited availability of qualified professionals: The design and construction of high-performance buildings requires a high level of expertise and specialized knowledge. The limited availability of qualified professionals, such as architects, engineers, and contractors, can make it difficult to implement high-performance building solutions.

- Building codes and regulations: Building codes and regulations vary from one jurisdiction to another, and sometimes they can be a constraint for the implementation of high-performance building solutions. Furthermore, codes and regulations may not always keep up with the latest advances in building technology and design, which can make it difficult for architects and builders to use the latest technologies and methods.

- Limited access to financing: Finally, limited access to financing can be a constraint for high-performance building projects. This is particularly true for smaller and mid-size building projects, where the owners may not have the resources to invest in higher-performance building solutions.

Overall, there are several constraints to higher performance buildings, including cost, lack of awareness, limited availability of qualified professionals, building codes and regulations, and limited access to financing. However, as technology and knowledge continue to advance, it is likely that some of these constraints will be mitigated, and the adoption of high-performance building solutions will become more widespread.

M: What are some of the negative health impacts of poor indoor air quality?

C: Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can have a range of negative impacts on health, including:

- Respiratory problems: Poor IAQ can cause or worsen respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Exposure to indoor air pollutants such as dust, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can irritate the airways, making it difficult to breathe and causing coughing and wheezing.

- Allergic reactions: Poor IAQ can also trigger allergic reactions, such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Exposure to indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

- Cardiovascular effects: Some studies have suggested that poor IAQ may also have negative effects on cardiovascular health. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

- Neurological effects: Some pollutants can cause neurological effects, such as headaches, fatigue, and poor concentration. Long-term exposure to poor IAQ can also lead to cognitive and behavioral problems in children, such as difficulty with attention and learning.

- Cancer: Long-term exposure to certain indoor air pollutants, such as radon and formaldehyde, has been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

It's worth noting that these impacts can be more severe for certain individuals such as children, elderly, pregnant women and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. It's also important to mention that some of these impacts can be cumulative, meaning that they can be the result of prolonged exposure to poor IAQ over time.

Overall, poor indoor air quality can have a wide range of negative impacts on health, including respiratory problems, allergic reactions, cardiovascular effects, neurological effects, and cancer. It's important to take steps to improve indoor air quality in order to protect the health of building occupants.

So there you have it folks; ChatGPT did a pretty decent job of carrying a conversation about building science with prompt questions that were not simple. I endeavored to load the questions in order to see how the responses might deepen or not and was rather surprised.

This was a fun little exercise, but it does draw some negative space around a few things we ought to pay attention to:

1. Any building science content you consume on the internet should at least be on par with the competencies of a language AI.

2. AI will almost certainly play a role in most of our jobs in the not-too-distant future. Get familiar with the idea and start thinking about what it means.

3. The operational definition of building science is changing and will necessarily include knowledge from other scientific disciplines with which we may not currently be interfacing. We should all be thinking on the edge of definitions. Even the robots know that.

In parting, I’ll leave you with a couplet from TS Elliot’s “The Rock”

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?