Marcelyn Gow introduces the panelists.

Michelle Addington discusses finite element analysis, performance criteria, and smart materials.

Mike Lepech discusses advanced composites, life-cycle assessment, reducing solar heat gain, and a performance comparison of panels used in Stanford University’s Bing Concert Hall versus those used at Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic.

Tom Wiscombe discusses architectural effects created by unifying building systems, as demonstrated in projects such as Thermo-Strut, Lizard Panel Facade, Tracery Glass, Batwing, and the Flower Street BioReactor, which produces bio-fuel by photosynthesis.

The panelists discuss the transmutation of matter, good design, material behavior versus material properties, and integrated versus discrete systems.