The group is interested in exploring the roles of assembly, fabrication, and performance in architectural design, both historically and in contemporary practice. Its work emphasizes design resilience, material efficiency, climate-responsive strategies, and links between building technology and architectural aesthetics. Current projects include:

Design-Tech: Building Science for Architects.  Textbook for students and young professionals emphasizing basic technical knowledge of architectural technology (structural, material, anthropomorphic and environmental) and integration its with design. Alread Leslie

Crystalline Cages: Chicago Commercial Architecture 1871-1934.  Work in progress identifying technical and material influences on the development of Chicago skyscrapers. Leslie

'A Living Museum':  Tectonic and architectural study of the Des Moines Art Center. Alread Leslie