Welcome to Calvin Douglass' e-portfolio. Throughout the 2009/2010 school year, I will be focusing most of my academic effort on the design and construction of Cougar Upper Elementary School in Manassas Park, Virginia. I plan to investigate all of the building’s design and sustainability systems, with a major focus on the mechanical systems. Towards the end of my 9th semester, I will be proposing design changes that would be intended to benefit the Cougar Upper Elementary School financially or environmentally. By Spring 2010, I will have completed a thorough analysis to prove that my proposed designs have been achieved.

The Architectural Engineering Senior Thesis (or more formally, AE 481W and AE 482) is a yearlong capstone design project originally created to serve as a bridge from academic life to professional life. Important professional qualities are stressed to the senior thesis students, such as communication with other professionals, time management, work ethic, and self discipline. The capstone project is the major highlight of the Penn State Architectural Engineering Program, as it sets the PSU students a step ahead of others who have completed similarly oriented curriculums. The department of architectural engineering requires that all of the undergraduate AEs complete this process before graduation. Senior thesis consists of a myriad of technical and communicative tasks throughout the year. After a thorough investigation of the project, students will perform an in-depth technical analysis and develop project criteria. Eventually, a written proposal will be prepared which suggests advanced changes in the design or functionality of the systems utilized in the building. This entire process is culminated by a semester of hell (for lack of a better word), where a student strives to complete the goals of the project. A verbal presentation and formal report are required at the end of the second semester, where students are judged by a faculty/professional jury.

The Capstone Project Electronic Portfolio (CPEP) is a web based database, showcasing a students’ progress and ideas about the project within. The CPEP contains a wide variety of required and supplemental information produced for the Senior Thesis coursework. The primary purpose of the CPEP is to act as a central storage entity where instructors and consultants can communicate and collaborate with the student to benefit the overall outcome of the project.

"Note: While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work in progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of Calvin G. Douglass. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design."