Artificial Intelligence in Architecture (AI+A) 2: Environmental Intelligence

By bringing people together within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry, and experts from AI-related fields, the Artificial Intelligence in Architecture (AI+A) Salon series hopes to foster productive discussion and explore solutions for leveraging AI technology in AECO by bridging the gap between practice and academic research. This four-part series aims to create archives and, ultimately, publications or whitepapers from these salons to share with the broader public and help push the industry into wider technology adoption.

The second session will be focused on what ‘Environmental Intelligence’ AI can offer the AECO sector. We are aware that computing and AI are escaping the desktop and beginning to become part of the environment itself. This is happening through paradigms like smart buildings and homes, new user experience types, environmental performance optimization, and predictive planning. While this has been happening for some time, new developments in AI are changing the paradigm rapidly. We can now imagine AI technologies that are embedded in the environments around us itself, becoming part of the architectural experience. They have the potential to be continuously learning about occupants' behaviors and buildings’ performance. Intelligent environments bridge traditional discrete paradigms like space planning, operations, and user experience. And significant questions about cyber-security and privacy must be addressed.

Speakers:
Dennis Shelden, Phd Director of CASE, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Sarah Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP, Treasurer, ASHARE
Chrisoula Kapelonis, Senior Design Lead for Home Intelligence, Google Home
Islay Burgess, AIA, RA, NE Regional Design Technology Director, Gensler
Phillip Youakim, Vice President of Customer Success & Strategy, Saltmine

About the Speakers:
Phillip Youakim a pioneer in data-driven corporate real estate optimization. With a background in architecture and over a decade of experience across global markets, Youakim sits at the intersection of design, data, and technology—helping Fortune 500 companies transform how they plan, design, and operate physical space in a digital world. His work spans commercial, hospitality, and corporate real estate across North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Prior to Saltmine, he helped lead WeWork’s data-driven approach to workplace design for global enterprises. Youakim is passionate about the role of AI in creating spaces that are not only efficient and adaptive—but also deeply human. He brings a practitioner’s lens and a deep curiosity about how AI and environmental intelligence are reshaping the built environment to support culture, community, and well-being.

Sarah E. Maston is ASHRAE’s Treasurer for the 2024-25 term. Maston has more than 25 years of experience in mechanical/ HVAC systems evaluation, troubleshooting, design, startup, and commissioning for a variety of project types. She currently serves as Director of Commissioning &Energy Services for Colliers Project Leaders in Boston, Massachusetts. Maston is a Registered Mechanical Engineer (PE), Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP), and LEEP Certified Professional, with facility experience in hospitals, laboratories, universities, schools and office space. Maston is a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin for its Commissioning Process for Delivering Quality Constructed Projects course and has contributed articles to leading industry publications, including a piece titled Design and Construction Administration for the 21st Century for Engineering Systems magazine.

Islay Burgess’ work leverages cutting-edge technology to revolutionize the design and delivery processes. In a rapidly changing digital landscape, Burgess is an industry leader who can conceptualize and implement technological innovations that bring unprecedented services to our clients. As Regional Design Technology Director based in the firm's New York office, Islay has recruited and trained a team of specialists that continuously develops next-generation solutions to new challenges. Burgess received a Master of Architecture and Community Design from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a registered architect who has been certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and she has Revit certification with Autodesk. As technology and design become further entwined, Burgess will lead the charge into the future of design.

Chrisoula Kapelonis is an architect, a designer and a strategist that builds technology for the physical environment—to help it sense, understand, and respond to the world around. Her work is centered around using spatial computing and machine intelligence to unlock new value for buildings. She is currently at Google on the Google Home team, leading design for Home Intelligence. Previously she was leading ambient computing and hardware sensing efforts for Google Assistant. She was also a researcher at the MIT Media Lab, City Science Group where her work was focused on architectural robotics, and environmental sensing systems for building automation. Prior to MIT, Kapelonis worked as a strategist in Harvard’s REAL Lab, IDEO, and BKSK Architects. Kapelonis obtained her Master in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT and was also formally trained as an architect, with a Master in Architecture II from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor in Architecture from the City College of New York.