Joshua was born and raised in the small town of Exeter Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre area. He is currently a 5th year student in Penn State’s Architectural Engineering program and will graduate in May of 2012 with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree with an emphasis on structural systems. After graduating, he plans on gaining employment with a structural engineering firm that will give him valuable work experience and the opportunity to work towards gaining his Professional Engineer (PE) License. He also plans on working towards gaining LEED AP certification and hopes sustainability will play a large role in his future endeavors.

Here at Penn State, Joshua is a member of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) and the Penn State student chapter of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). He took part in a residential construction competition during the Fall of 2011 which concluded early 2012. This assignment involves the complete design and construction of a series of residential homes. His main role will be working in the sustainable aspects of the project as well the designs, and helping to present the project at the Internationa Builder's Show. Aside from school and all things AE related, Joshua likes to draw, bowl, and play bass.

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 inprogress 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 Joshua Urban. 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.