The Center for the Built Environment

What The Center for the Built Environment does

The Center for the Built Environment (CBE) is a nonprofit university research center housed within the UC Berkeley Department of Architecture, founded in 1997 by Edward Arens. CBE investigates indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, building facade systems, life cycle assessment, and human-building interaction, operating applied research programs through controlled-environment chambers, boundary-layer wind tunnels, instrumented thermal mannequins, and instrumented field studies. It has developed a portfolio of free, web-based design and analysis tools — including the CBE Thermal Comfort Tool (ASHRAE Standard 55-aligned), the Berkeley Decarb Tool for HVAC decarbonization analysis, the CBE Occupant Survey (a 10-minute instrument deployed in 1,000+ buildings with 100,000+ responses since 2000), the CBE Rad Tool, the CBE Clima Tool, the UFAD Design Tool, and the 3D MRT Tool — which serve as both research outputs and demand-generation assets for the consortium.

CBE operates an industry-university consortium model. Annual membership fees (Industry Sustaining at $40,000, A/E/C at $14,000, and Small Business at half-rate) fund a research portfolio valued at approximately $2-3M per year, which is leveraged with grants from the California Energy Commission, federal sources, and philanthropic partners such as ClimateWorks Foundation. The consortium includes 50+ partner firms spanning HVAC manufacturers (Daikin, Midea, REHAU, Armstrong, Big Ass Fans), technology and building owners (Google, CIM), A/E/C firms (HOK, SmithGroup, Perkins&Will, Arup, Arcadis, LPA, Turner, McKinstry), and construction firms (Kajima). Semi-annual Industry Advisory Board meetings in April and October drive partner engagement and research direction.

The center is led by Director Gail Brager, with Stefano Schiavon as Associate Director of Research and Edward Arens as Founder/Professor Emeritus. David Lehrer serves as the primary liaison for industry partners. Research outputs influence ASHRAE Standard 55 and other building codes, and the organization maintains visiting scholar programs and graduate training through UC Berkeley's Building Science, Technology and Sustainability program.

Name

The Center for the Built Environment

Legal name

The Center for the Built Environment and UC Regents

Website

https://cbe.berkeley.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for the Built Environment is a UC Berkeley-affiliated nonprofit research center that investigates indoor environmental quality, HVAC, facades, and building decarbonization, funded through an industry consortium of 50+ member firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Science Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Architecture Schools (within Arts & Design institutions) (EDAHAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architecture, Planning & Surveying (AIA, Planning, Land Surveyor CE) (EDAAALAG)

Keywords

• Building science research
• Indoor environmental quality
• HVAC systems research
• Building performance tools
• Occupant comfort studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Industry Consortium Membership Fees: CBE generates revenue through annual membership fees from its industry consortium. Membership levels include: Industry Sustaining Memberships at $40,000/year providing partners access to a research portfolio of over $2M annually; A/E/C Memberships at $14,000/year for architecture, engineering, and construction firms; and Small Business Memberships at reduced rates (50% discount for qualifying small businesses). The membership fees are leveraged with grants from state, federal, and private sources.
2. Research Grants and Funding: CBE receives substantial research funding from grants from state, federal, and private sources. Recent examples include California Energy Commission funding for personal comfort and advanced HVAC research, and funding from the Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute and California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE). Membership fees serve as seed funding to procure outside co-funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CBE conducts building science research on indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, facade systems, and life cycle assessment, and provides practical web-based design and analysis tools for building designers and industry practitioners. The center operates an industry consortium of 50+ partner firms that pay annual membership fees ($14,000-$40,000) to access a research portfolio of approximately $2-3M annually, propose research topics, and receive early access to findings, tools, and design guidance.

Product overview

The Center for the Built Environment (CBE) operates as a university research center that has developed a suite of online building performance tools rather than a commercial product company. The primary product portfolio consists of web-based design and analysis tools focused on building environmental quality, including the Berkeley Decarb Tool for HVAC decarbonization analysis, the CBE Thermal Comfort Tool for ASHRAE 55 compliance, CBE Clima Tool for climate visualization, Advanced Ceiling Fan Design Tool, CBE Occupant Survey Toolkit for feedback and benchmarking, CBE Rad Tool for radiant system design, Setpoint Energy Savings Calculator, CBE 3D Mean Radiant Temperature Tool, and UFAD Design Tool. Additionally, CBE provides a Guidebook on Fans for Cooling People as a reference resource. These tools are complemented by research programs in Indoor Environmental Quality, HVAC Systems, Facade Systems, Life Cycle Assessment, and Tools and Methods. CBE also maintains research facilities including a controlled environment chamber, boundary-layer wind tunnel, and sky simulator, and offers a visiting scholar program for academic collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berkeley Decarb Tool Open-source web tool that supports early-phase building decarbonization analysis, enabling users to evaluate and compare the long-term operational carbon emissions of HVAC systems under various equipment configurations and emissions scenarios. Aimed at building designers and sustainability professionals.
• CBE Thermal Comfort Tool Web-based tool that predicts thermal comfort according to ASHRAE Standard 55, with visualizations of comfort boundaries within psychrometric or temperature-humidity charts, and automatic generation of LEED documentation for thermal comfort credits. Used by building designers and HVAC engineers.
• CBE Clima Tool Online climate analysis and visualization resource that converts weather data from around the world into comprehensive, easy-to-understand graphics tailored for environmentally conscious building designers and other stakeholders.
• Advanced Ceiling Fan Design Tool Design tool that allows designers to quickly select and lay out ceiling fans in a room to meet desired airspeed requirements, displaying plan layouts, sections, and fan cell details. Used by HVAC and building designers.
• CBE Occupant Survey Toolkit Cost-effective, web-based survey tool for improving building performance, providing feedback, benchmarking, diagnostics, evaluation, and LEED certification credits. Has been implemented in over 1,000 buildings globally with over 100,000 responses.
• Guidebook on Fans for Cooling People Comprehensive digital guidebook assisting users in selecting suitable fan types based on building characteristics and application needs, with criteria for fan selection and guidance on adjusting chiller, AHU, and operational settings.
• CBE Rad Tool Interactive web-based design tool for the early design of high thermal mass radiant systems, providing an interface for estimating performance under steady-state and transient conditions for both heating and cooling. Used by building and HVAC designers.
• Setpoint Energy Savings Calculator Interactive online calculator providing estimations of potential HVAC energy savings based on expanded temperature ranges (deadbands) for typical office buildings with overhead variable air volume systems.
• CBE 3D Mean Radiant Temperature Tool Interactive tool that calculates mean radiant temperature (MRT) and predicted comfort within a space based on room surface temperatures, solar gain through windows and skylights, with input for clothing levels and metabolic rates.
• CBE Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Design Tool Simplified, practical design tool to determine cooling load requirements for underfloor air distribution systems in interior and perimeter zones.
• CBE Industry Consortium Membership Annual membership in the CBE industry consortium at $14,000 (A/E/C tier) or $40,000 (Sustaining tier) per year, with a 50% Small Business discount available. Members gain access to a research portfolio of approximately $2-3M annually, propose research topics, attend semi-annual Industry Advisory Board meetings, and receive early access to tools, publications, and findings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Automated HVAC optimization with smart thermostats lowered indoor PM2.5 concentrations up to 54±5% compared to standard AC use and 61±5% during peak wildfire smoke days
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship - sustaining member, core - a/e/c team member, core - a/e/c member, core - small business member, core - funding partner and core - research partner.

• Armstrong World Industries, Inc.flagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerArmstrong World Industries is a global leader in ceiling, wall, and suspension system solutions with over 3,800 employees. They have partnered with CBE for nearly 30 years as a sustaining member. CBE's research influences Armstrong's strategic direction and building science research focus on the evolving indoor environment. Collaborations include studies on ceiling systems and integrated building technologies.
• Big Ass Fansflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerBig Ass Fans is an energy-efficient product development and smart home technology company. They partnered with CBE on field research studying heat stress reduction in industrial facilities (Louisiana manufacturing facility study). CBE's Bill Frantz noted that Armstrong World Industries has partnered with CBE for nearly 30 years; Big Ass Fans similarly represents a long-term collaboration with research co-development on ceiling fan technology.
• Google, Inc.flagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle's Real Estate and Workplace Services (REWS) team creates and maintains work environments for Googlers globally. As a sustaining member of CBE, Google applies the same focus on user-first design to its office environments as it does for its products.
• Daikinflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerDaikin is a Japanese multinational air conditioning manufacturing company, inventor of VRV/VRF systems. As a CBE sustaining member, Daikin participates in research collaborations on HVAC systems and building decarbonization.
• REHAUflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerREHAU is a worldwide leader in PEX piping solutions for radiant heating and cooling applications. They have collaborated with CBE on building technology research and joint presentations, working together to develop valuable tools supporting shared goals for energy efficiency and comfort.
• Taylor Engineerscore - a/e/c team memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerTaylor Engineers is a nationally recognized engineering firm specializing in HVAC systems design, energy management, and building performance. They collaborated with CBE on radiant cooling systems research and variable air volume (VAV) terminal unit design. They also partnered on a hospital heat recovery chiller demonstration project.
• Arupcore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerArup is an independent multidisciplinary engineering firm with over 30 years in the Americas. They participate in CBE's personal comfort devices research alongside TRC and other organizations, contributing to multi-year studies on mainstreaming personal comfort devices in commercial buildings.
• TRCcore - a/e/c team memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRC is a consulting firm providing advanced energy services for demand response and distributed energy resources. They partner with CBE, Arup, and other organizations on multi-year studies to overcome barriers to mainstreaming personal comfort devices in commercial buildings.
• LPAcore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerLPA is a fully-integrated architecture, engineering, and interior design firm with a nationwide reputation for innovation and sustainable design. LPA uses CBE research findings and online tools to inform design decisions and values CBE's open and collaborative approach in an industry where research is often private.
• Azbilflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerAzbil pursues 'human-centered automation' contributing to safety, comfort, and environmental preservation. They expand business in building automation and are an active participant in CBE's industry consortium as a sustaining member.
• Mideaflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidea Group is an expert in the HVAC sector and one of the top air conditioning manufacturers globally. As a CBE sustaining member, they participate in research on intelligent building solutions including HVAC, energy systems, and controls.
• ClimateWorks Foundationflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimateWorks Foundation works to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. They are a global leader in climate action and a sustaining member of CBE, supporting research on building decarbonization.
• Price Industriesflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrice Industries is a market leader in supplying air distribution, critical controls, and noise control products. They participated in the development of the EnergyPlus model for UFAD through extensive chamber testing of floor diffusers at CBE.
• SmithGroupcore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmithGroup is one of the world's preeminent integrated architecture, engineering, and planning firms with 1,300 experts. Their Detroit Office received the 2025 Livable Building Award from CBE for their urban consolidation and renovation project.
• HOKcore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOK is a global engineering, design, architecture, and planning firm ranked as a leader in sustainable, high-performance design. They received an honorable mention in CBE's 2025 Livable Buildings Awards and participate in the CBE industry consortium.
• Turner Construction Companycore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurner Construction is a leading North American builder delivering high-performance projects across education, healthcare, aviation, and more. They have been a trusted partner on UC Berkeley campus since 1992 and are currently constructing The Gateway and preparing for the Bakar ClimatEnginuity Hub.
• Arcadiscore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerArcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions with more than 36,000 people in over 70 countries. They participate in CBE's research on sustainable buildings and have multiple LEED Platinum projects.
• Kajimaflagship - sustaining memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerKajima is one of Japan's leading construction and engineering firms with global presence across Asia, North America, and Europe. Known for technological innovation and commitment to sustainability, Kajima integrates advanced engineering for resilient built environments. Kajima Technical Research Institute (KaTRI) supports technology research for the group.
• McKinstrycore - a/e/c memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcKinstry is a national leader in designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining high-performing buildings. They provide single-point accountability across the building lifecycle and participate in CBE's industry consortium.
• Fotilecore - small business memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOTILE creates functional, stylish, and family-oriented kitchen appliances with technology that removes harmful cooking fumes. Founded in 1996, they are a small business member of CBE focusing on improving kitchen environments.
• CIMcore - small business memberStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIM helps property teams run better buildings with ease using PEAK, their AI-powered building analytics platform. Operating globally across US, UK, Europe, and APAC, CIM is a small business member of CBE working on building optimization.
• California Energy Commission (via CIEE)core - funding partnerOthersThe California Energy Commission has awarded major funding grants to CBE through the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) for research on personal comfort and advanced HVAC solutions. These are multi-year research projects with wide-ranging activities.
• Berkeley Energy and Climate Institutecore - research partnerOthersBerkeley Energy and Climate Institute supports CBE researchers including Therese Peffer as Program Director. Collaborates on energy and climate research initiatives within the UC Berkeley research ecosystem.
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratorycore - research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLBNL is affiliated with CBE through participating faculty and researchers. The laboratory's extensive experimental facilities are available to CBE researchers and supports field studies and building science research.
• University of Sydneycore - research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Sydney contributes experts on heat and health to CBE's field research, including the Louisiana manufacturing facility study on heat stress reduction using fans in industrial settings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory with a major Buildings research portfolio covering energy efficiency, HVAC, envelope performance, and decarbonization. Comparable to CBE in that both pursue publicly-funded building science R&D, develop open-source tools (e.g., EnergyPlus, OpenStudio), and influence codes and standards through rigorous empirical research.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP): Germany-based applied research institute focused on building physics (heat, moisture, acoustics, IEQ). The most direct international analog to CBE, operating comparable laboratory infrastructure and pursuing industry-funded research on the same themes (HVAC, thermal comfort, building envelope, LCA).
• National Research Council Canada (Construction Research Centre): Canadian federal research center with construction-focused building science R&D including energy efficiency, HVAC, and envelope performance. Comparable to CBE as a publicly-funded building science research body with lab infrastructure and industry collaboration.
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Building Technologies): Federally-affiliated research laboratory also based in the Berkeley area with a Building Technologies division focused on energy-efficient buildings, HVAC, and grid-interactive efficient buildings. Highly comparable to CBE because both conduct applied building science research, are affiliated with UC Berkeley, and produce tools and standards influencing the same industry.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Building Envelope & Urban Systems Research): DOE national laboratory with a Building Technologies Research Group covering envelope, HVAC, and whole-building performance. Comparable to CBE because both operate large-scale building science test facilities, conduct field studies, and produce widely-cited reference data and standards.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL): U.S. Department of Energy lab with significant buildings and energy efficiency research, including grid-interactive efficient buildings and controls. Comparable to CBE in building energy R&D and codes/standards influence.
• Building Research Establishment (BRE Group): UK-based building science research and standards organization known for BREEAM certification and large-scale building performance testing. Comparable to CBE because both blend applied research, tool development, and standards influence for the commercial building sector.
• CSIRO Built Environment: Australia's national science agency operating a Built Environment research program covering energy, indoor environment quality, and decarbonization. Comparable to CBE in mission and portfolio (IEQ, HVAC, envelope), though funded primarily by the Australian government rather than an industry consortium.

Emerging players

• New Buildings Institute (NBI): Non-profit organization focused on advancing energy-efficient and zero-carbon building performance through codes, policy, and program design. Comparable to CBE in mission (building performance, decarbonization, codes and standards) and non-profit structure, but more policy-oriented and less lab-based.
• MIT Building Technology Lab: Academic research group within MIT's School of Architecture and Planning focused on building technology, thermal comfort, and urban-scale energy modeling. Comparable to CBE as a university-based building science research group with similar research areas but a smaller industry-consortium funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups/3027938
• Xx.com/cbe_berkeley

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Center for the Built Environment