Launched by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), the Building Research Information Knowledgebase (BRIK) is an interactive portal offering free online access to peer-reviewed research projects and case studies in all facets of the built environment, from pre-design through occupancy and reuse.
"By providing a portal to comprehensive research and data, this initiative is intended to help better educate the entire real estate marketplace on how design strategies and innovations can have a profound impact on building performance," commented Robert Ivy, FAIA, Chief Executive Officer of AIA. "The BRIK offering is an entry-way to show quantifiable proof of evidence-based design approaches."
With contributions from government agencies, architecture firms, academics and research groups, the initial online offering will focus on healthcare facilities, learning environments and high-performance building types and contain 500 different reports. Additional building types will be added in the near future. The first BRIK Knowledge Contributors to sign Memorandums of Agreement with AIA and NIBS are HKS/Center for Advanced Design Research & Evaluation, the Environmental Design Research Association and the Center for Healthcare Design.