Thermal Architecture Lab

What Thermal Architecture Lab does

Thermal Architecture Lab (TAL) is an academic research laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design, founded by Dr. Dorit Aviv around 2019 and based at the Pennovation campus in Philadelphia. The lab applies thermodynamic principles to architectural design, developing passive cooling technologies that reduce reliance on mechanical HVAC systems. Its research portfolio spans radiant cooling, thermal mass optimization, bio-inspired building envelopes, climate-responsive materials, and distributed energy monitoring.

TAL's core outputs are deployable prototypes and simulation tools rather than commercial products. Notable projects include KlimaKover (a modular solar-powered radiant cooling pavilion installed on Governors Island, NYC in 2025), TENOPY (a community-driven urban cooling shelter deployed in North Philadelphia), Hydroculus (an adaptive hydrogel-lined roof aperture featured at the 2021 Venice Biennale), Geo-Mass (3D-printed carbon-absorbing concrete structural slabs), KlimaStol (a robotically 3D-printed cooling chair), BlockPenn (a blockchain/IoT energy monitoring network), and the Advanced MRT Simulation Tool (ray-tracing-based thermal comfort modeling). The lab also pursues research on cool pavements, UVGI disinfection, school courtyard heat mitigation, and floating climate labs.

The lab's business model is grant-funded academic research rather than commercial product sales. Funding comes from competitive federal grants (DOE ARPA-E $2.4M, NSF $3M, EPA $137K), foundations (Ramboll $149K, Holcim, Ripple UBRI), and Penn-affiliated sources (Kleinman Center, Penn4C, Netter Center). It collaborates extensively with Penn Engineering (Shu Yang Group, Composto Research Group, Polyhedral Structures Laboratory), Princeton University, UC Berkeley/LBNL, industry partners (Henning Larsen, KieranTimberlake, AIL Research), and community/municipal entities (North10, City of Philadelphia, Trust for Governors Island). The lab disseminates work through 40+ peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, public exhibitions, and graduate teaching within Penn's Master of Science in Design and Master of Architecture programs.

Name

Thermal Architecture Lab

Legal name

Thermal Architecture Lab (University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of Design)

Website

https://thermal-architecture.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thermal Architecture Lab is an academic research lab at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design that develops passive cooling technologies, climate-responsive materials, and thermodynamic architectural design strategies. It serves urban communities, building designers, and government partners through grant-funded research and deployable prototypes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Science Research

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (33241)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment (IMAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heat Exchangers, Coils & Hydronic HVAC Components (IMADANAF), Building Thermal Controls & Building Management Systems (HVAC BMS) (IMAHAKAK), Cooling Systems & Thermal Management (CRAC/CRAH, Chillers, Liquid Cooling) (HDABAKAD)

Keywords

• Passive cooling research
• Radiant cooling technology
• Thermal architecture
• Building science research
• Climate-responsive design

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Government Funding: The lab's primary funding comes from competitive research grants including DOE ARPA-E ($2.4M), NSF NRT ($3M), EPA Thriving Communities ($137,000), and foundation grants (Ramboll Foundation $149,000, Holcim Foundation). These fund specific research projects and do not constitute commercial revenue in the traditional sense.
2. Academic Collaboration and Consulting: The lab generates value through academic partnerships with industry (Henning Larsen, KieranTimberlake, AIL Research, Clearly Cool) and government agencies (City of Philadelphia, National Park Service), producing research outputs rather than commercial products.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Thermal Architecture Lab is an academic research laboratory that develops thermodynamics-driven architectural design strategies, passive cooling technologies, and climate-responsive building materials. Its work spans membrane-assisted radiant cooling systems, 3D-printed carbon-absorbing concrete structures, bio-inspired hygroscopic envelopes, and IoT/blockchain energy monitoring. Research outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, public exhibitions, and technology transfer partnerships with architecture firms and government agencies.

Product overview

Thermal Architecture Lab is a research laboratory focused on the intersection of thermodynamics, architectural design, and material science. Rather than offering a unified software product, TAL's portfolio consists of physical products, prototypes, simulation tools, and research projects aimed at reducing buildings' energy demand and providing thermal shelter. The core products include: KlimaKover (modular solar-powered radiant cooling pavilion), TENOPY (urban cooling shelter), Hydroculus (hydrogel-based roof aperture for evaporative/radiative cooling), KlimaStol (3D-printed cooling chair), Geo-Mass (3D-printed carbon-absorbing building slabs), and BlockPenn (blockchain-based IoT energy monitoring network). Supporting technologies include the Advanced MRT Simulation Tool and Elephant Skin-Inspired Building Envelope. Research areas span urban heat mitigation, cool pavements, UVGI disinfection, floating structures, and bioclimatic design education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KlimaKover A modular, solar-powered radiant cooling pavilion designed for climate resilience in urban environments. Combines membrane-assisted radiant panels, solar power, and natural ventilation to create comfortable microclimate under extreme heat and humidity. The system cools by drawing radiant heat directly from the body rather than chilling air, consuming up to ten times less energy than traditional cooling systems and requiring no external water supply.
• TENOPY A novel, fully solar-powered, shaded, open-air urban cooling shelter responding to the Urban Heat Island effect. Features a cooling bench and condensation-free radiant panels providing sustainable urban cooling without air conditioning or architectural enclosure. Reduces occupants' thermal stress by 35-45% compared to unshaded outdoor conditions, with solar energy generation surpassing cooling demand by 40%.
• Hydroculus A roof aperture (oculus) lined with hydrogel for combined evaporative and radiative cooling in desert climates. During the day, acts as an adaptive windcatcher trapping hot dry air and humidifying it through wet hydrogel membrane for instant cooling. At night, enclosed hydrogel pockets are exposed to radiative cooling from night sky for thermal storage.
• KlimaStol A solar-powered, robotically 3D-printed concrete cooling chair designed to mitigate outdoor heat stress through conductive cooling. Features contoured ergonomic form increasing body contact for heat transfer, custom low-carbon high-conductivity concrete, and embedded copper pipes circulating chilled water from solar-driven heat pump.
• Geo-Mass Geometrically modulated, 3D-printed building slabs for thermal mass performance augmentation. Carbon-negative building structures using high-performance structural system for carbon absorption and storage over building lifespan. Combines novel carbon-absorbing concrete mixture with robotic 3D printing technology. Achieves 2.6x expanded surface area compared to flat slab of same material volume, with 14.2% improvement in air temperature damping and 28.1% extension of time lag.
• BlockPenn Distributed ledger network connecting IoT sensors for energy and environmental monitoring across campus. Uses low-cost Raspberry Pi minicomputers as endpoints connected to blockchain network for real-time indoor environmental quality, energy, and carbon intensity data. Includes smart contracts for token-based performance incentives.
• Advanced MRT Simulation Tool Novel mean radiant temperature (MRT) simulation tool using raytracing and human body geometry for high-resolution spatial analysis of MRT distribution in indoor environments. Assists designers in analyzing impact of architectural form and materials on embodied perception of heat.
• Elephant Skin-Inspired Building Envelope Climate-responsive building envelope system inspired by African elephant thermal regulation strategies. Uses hygroscopic, actuated bi-layer components capable of retaining moisture and cooling indoor environments through evaporation, modulated by programmable crack network architecture in porous cementitious composites.
• Bioclimatic Design Studio Graduate-level design studio at Penn's Weitzman School of Design focusing on climate-adaptive architecture. Courses include ARCH 709 EBD Research Studio, ARCH 708 Bioclimatic Studio, ARCH 732 EBD Innovation and Prototyping, and ARCH 633 Environmental Systems, taught by Prof. Aviv.
• Solar-Powered Mobile Cooling Shelter A lightweight, deployable mobile cooling station providing on-demand heat stress relief without air conditioning or architectural enclosure. Features cooling panels using solar-powered radiant cooling technology with no condensation in hot and humid climates. Three solar-powered cooling panels absorb radiant heat directly from human body.
• CoolSeal Reflective Pavement Field Study Collaborative field study testing reflective pavement coatings (CoolSeal) in Hunting Park, Philadelphia to reduce surface and radiant heat. Uses environmental sensors to measure air temperature, humidity, radiation, and surface temperature to assess material performance in urban environments. Demonstrated surfaces averaging 9.2°F cooler than conventional asphalt.

Quantifiable outcome

• TENOPY solar-powered cooling shelter reduces thermal stress by 35-45% (ITS) vs unshaded outdoor conditions, with solar generation exceeding cooling demand by 40%
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and supporting.

• Henning LarsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHenning Larsen serves as Design Architect and Sustainability Consultant for the KlimaKover project, combining architectural design expertise with the lab's radiant cooling technology for the Governors Island public installation and future urban deployments.
• AIL Research (Clearly Cool)coreTechnology or IntegrationAIL Research and Clearly Cool developed the membrane-assisted radiant cooling panel technology integrated into KlimaKover, TENOPY, and the mobile cooling shelter. Eric Teitelbaum leads cooling system engineering across multiple TAL projects.
• Polyhedral Structures Laboratory (PSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSL (led by Masoud Akbarzadeh) collaborates on Geo-Mass project for 3D-printed carbon-absorbing concrete structural systems, combining structural optimization with thermal mass performance augmentation.
• Shu Yang Group (Penn SEAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Shu Yang's lab at Penn School of Engineering and Applied Science on elephant skin-inspired hygroscopic building envelopes, solar-reflective kirigami shading systems, and carbon-absorbing concrete as part of the ARPA-E funded project.
• KieranTimberlakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on DOE ARPA-E funded research on carbon-negative building elements and turning buildings into carbon storage structures. Contributed to 2024 and 2025 ARPA-E Summits.
• North10 (North Philadelphia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for TENOPY urban cooling shelter deployment in heat-vulnerable North Philadelphia neighborhood. Community organization providing local knowledge and engagement for heat island mitigation project.
• Penn Nursing (Sara Jacoby)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaculty collaboration with Penn Nursing School on TENOPY project, bringing healthcare and public health perspectives to urban heat mitigation research.
• Penn Engineering (Mark Yim)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPenn Engineering collaboration on TENOPY project for cooling technology integration and systems engineering.
• Netter Center for Community Partnerships (UPenn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Penn's Netter Center on Sayre High School courtyard heat mitigation and the EPA-funded West Philadelphia urban heat project, connecting academic research with community needs through the Educational Pipeline Program.
• The Trust for Governors IslandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic partner providing the site for KlimaKover installation on Governors Island, NYC. The pavilion serves as public infrastructure and education platform during Climate Week NYC 2025.
• RETI Center (UPenn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with RETI Center on the Blue City Lab floating climate lab project for off-grid waterfront structures, developing autonomous water and energy systems.
• Water Center at PenncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on off-grid floating structure energy and water autonomy research for Blue City Lab, combining climate-adaptive design with sustainable infrastructure systems.
• City of Philadelphia Office of SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the cool pavement field study in Hunting Park, Philadelphia, testing CoolSeal reflective coatings as part of the city's Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program. First such demonstration in a humid climate.
• Composto Research Group (Penn Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Composto Research Group at Penn Engineering on the cool pavement study, leading materials science aspects of the reflective coating research.
• National Park ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Park Service collaboration on thermal shelter design for fossilized tree stumps at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado, to protect stumps from freeze-thaw cycle erosion.
• Fast + Epp (Structural Engineering)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner for KlimaKover, providing engineering expertise for the modular timber pavilion construction.
• SITU StudiosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication and assembly partner for KlimaKover pavilion construction on Governors Island.
• SITU StudiosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication and assembly partner for KlimaKover pavilion construction on Governors Island.
• SITU StudiosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication and assembly partner for KlimaKover pavilion construction on Governors Island.
• SITU StudiosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication and assembly partner for KlimaKover pavilion construction on Governors Island.
• SITU StudiosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabrication and assembly partner for KlimaKover pavilion construction on Governors Island.
• William Braham (UPenn Weitzman)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaborator with the Thermal Architecture Lab. Co-director of the Bioclimatic Design Studio, co-PI on BlockPenn project, and co-author on multiple publications on thermal comfort, bioclimatic design, and building energy.
• Forrest Meggers (Princeton University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey collaborator from Princeton University (CHAOS Lab) on radiant cooling research, ColdTube Singapore pavilion, Hydroculus, MRT simulation tools, and multiple publications. Co-led membrane-assisted radiant cooling technology development.
• Jovan Pantelic (UC Berkeley / LBNL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator specializing in ventilation, IoT air quality sensing, and infection transmission. Contributed to UVGI research, radiant cooling studies, and COVID-19 indoor air quality studies.
• Lior GlasscoreTechnology or IntegrationBlockchain technology expert and PI on BlockPenn project, providing distributed ledger expertise for the IoT energy monitoring network on Penn campus.
• Masoud Akbarzadeh (UPenn Weitzman)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPI of Polyhedral Structures Laboratory and co-PI on ARPA-E Geo-Mass project, collaborating on 3D-printed carbon-absorbing concrete structural systems and carbon-negative architecture.
• Russell Composto (UPenn SEAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator from Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science, working with the Composto Research Group on polymer and materials science for cool pavement research.
• Cambium TimbersupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCarbon Smart Wood Supplier for KlimaKover pavilion, providing sustainable timber materials for the modular structure.
• Ontility / TERREPOWERsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSolar and renewable energy systems provider for KlimaKover, enabling the fully solar-powered radiant cooling operation.
• Tectonic EngineeringsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeotechnical and site services for KlimaKover installation on Governors Island.
• Skanska USAsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction management partner for KlimaKover pavilion on Governors Island.
• KM Associates of New York, Inc.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSite coordination for KlimaKover installation on Governors Island, NYC.
• Aletheia Ida (University of Arizona)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with University of Arizona on Hydroculus project, contributing to the adaptive windcatcher cooling technology research.
• Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance (Wharton)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted fireside chat on distributed energy monitoring using blockchain/IoT infrastructure with Dr. Aviv, and provides blockchain laboratory facilities for BlockPenn project.
• Frank Matero (UPenn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal Investigator on the thermal shelter for fossilized stumps project, providing historic preservation and material expertise.
• Texas A&M UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on Geo-Mass ARPA-E project for carbon-absorbing high-performance building structures.
• City College of New York (CUNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on Geo-Mass ARPA-E project, contributing to the development of carbon-absorbing concrete structural systems.
• Mecho Systems & Springs Window FashionssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFabric and shading systems provider for KlimaKover pavilion.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• KieranTimberlake: KieranTimberlake is an architecture firm known for technology-driven, research-led design and is a current TAL partner on the ARPA-E Geo-Mass project. It is a comparable built-environment research-and-practice firm with overlapping interests in carbon-absorbing concrete and data-driven design.
• Henning Larsen: Henning Larsen is a global architecture firm that serves as Design Architect and Sustainability Consultant on KlimaKover. Comparable as a broad incumbent with strong sustainability practice and active collaboration with TAL on marquee projects.
• Snøhetta: Snøhetta is a global architecture and design firm with a strong sustainability and climate-responsive design identity. Comparable as a broad incumbent working at the intersection of architectural design, climate adaptation, and public-facing installations.
• Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG): BIG is a global architecture and design firm known for sustainability-focused built work and research-driven projects. Comparable to TAL as a broad incumbent with public-facing, climate-conscious installations and a strong media profile.
• SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill): SOM is a major global architecture and engineering firm with deep in-house R&D on high-performance building envelopes and decarbonization. Comparable to TAL as a broader incumbent with overlapping research themes (thermal envelopes, carbon-negative structures) but operating at commercial scale.

Emerging players

• SkyCool Systems: SkyCool Systems is a startup commercializing radiative cooling panels for buildings. Comparable as an emerging commercial player in the same passive cooling technology category as TAL's membrane-assisted radiant cooling work, although TAL is academic and SkyCool is commercial.

Direct peers

• Princeton CHAOS Lab: Princeton's CHAOS Lab (led by Forrest Meggers) is a direct research collaborator on TAL's radiant cooling, Hydroculus, and MRT simulation work. Both are academic labs doing experimental building physics and low-energy cooling research with shared co-authors and joint publications.
• Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (RPI): CASE is a joint RPI/SOM research lab that integrates architecture with building science, including thermal performance and adaptive envelopes. Same research-academia-industry triad as TAL, with overlapping foci on kinetic facades and thermal envelopes.
• MIT Building Technology Group: MIT BTG is an academic research group combining architecture, mechanical engineering, and materials science for high-performance buildings. Comparability is high on interdisciplinary building science research, similar scale, and similar grant-based funding model.
• UC Berkeley Center for the Built Environment: CBE is a leading academic research group on thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality, and ASHRAE-style thermal comfort databases used by TAL's predictive analytics work. It is the closest comparator in scope (built environment + thermal comfort) and methodology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Thermal Architecture Lab