CASE Spring 2026 OPEN HOUSE Culminates the Semester with Presentation of Student Work
May 8th, 2026
On May 8th CASE hosted our Spring 2026 Open House. Our bi-annual event, which showcases a culmination of the semester's student and faculty research and projects brought together industry experts across academia, architecture, community organizations, engineering, material science, computing and beyond to participate in the presentation and review of this semester's work in research, innovation, and applied design.
The presented research covered urban and community interaction, materials & systems, urban growth strategies, materials , AI and more. Spread across multiple, simultaneous sessions students presented their work and engaged in feedback and discussion with the audience. We were also excited to welcome our industry partners who led a fantastic semester of collaboration with our Research Investigations course and program, which provided invaluable experience for our students to participate in applied research tackling real problems in the design and technology industries.
The following are the presented projects:
Richard-Allen Foster, (MS) is developing a digital/physical AR/VR interface that enables critical engagement between stakeholders for community design.
Norman Perdomo, Teari Ordóñez, and Kelly Crane (UGrad) are working with the Van Alen Institute to develop AI to digitize, data mine and navigate multimedia archives.
Mia Mi, (3rd year PhD) is developing a dynamic machine learning design tool for thermal tuning of hemp-lime composites during the early stages of design.
Ahosan Habib, (MS) is working on reality capture and building semantics focusing on translating 3D scanned point clouds in coherent descriptions of MEP building systems.
Johann George, (MS) is working on AI for modeling simulation and evaluation of structures to incorporate in early stage design.
Chandra Cheedella and Darren Li, (UGrad) are developing an industrial hub that uses existing materials to assemble new building components necessary to meet Local Law 97 requirements.
Ryan Sitterly and Norman Perdomo, (UGrad) are designing new public access points for the Smith & 9th Street MTA subway stop, including additional public and commercial space.
Kelly Crane and Teari Ordóñez, (UGrad) are designing for increased capacity for native flora and fauna in Gowanus, as well as expanding water retention throughout the neighborhood.
Jing Guo and Yvanna Gesicho, (UGrad) are working on a vertical park proposal to add much needed additional public space in Gowanus.
Alex Nathanson, (4th year PhD) is developing a renewable energy community virtual power plant technology for renters in NYC.
Ilha Niohuru, (1st year PhD) is developing an urban planning platform that utilizes systems optimization principles for integrating renewable energy into NYC Housing growth decision making.
Jing Guo and Yvanna Gesicho, (UGrad) are working with Dattner Architects to explore what makes a better bathroom, measuring the efficiency of gendered vs non-gendered bathrooms.
Darren Li and Kelly Crane, (UGrad) are working with Dattner Architects to develop a method of visualizing the effects of large-scale zoning changes in urban environments.
Ryan Sitterly, Chandra Cheedella, and Ilha Niohuru are working with Senergy to build energy models and an interactive web platform to investigate retrofit strategies through AI-driven calibration and optimization.
Elena Petruzzi, (4th year PhD) - is developing a clay/phase-change material composite and printing method for large scale additive manufacturing.
Sitan Zhu, (1st year PhD) is working on developing a material and manufacturing method for a carbon negative Bacterial cellulose - starch nanocomposite insulation for buildings.
Frank (Fanghong) Xu, (2nd year PhD) is developing a hemp based insulated siding material and automated high throughout manufacturing method.
Xinyu Liang, (1st year PhD) is integrating urban Mining with Design for disassembly principles to support low carbon NYC Housing deployment.
Tessa Kelly, (1st yearPhD) is studying models that integrate social, ecological, and economic dynamics for application in the rural Northeast.
Media Contact:
Kathie Brill, Program Manager
Brillk@rpi.edu