The House of Sciences runs two practical research tracks where theory meets reality.
Real-World Prototyping & Construction
This program is for those who want to build, break, and improve. We use the house grounds as a laboratory for Applied Experimental Research, testing new construction methods and design ideas at a 1:1 scale. Instead of just drawing plans, we build them. We’re always looking for partners to help us execute our next round of on-site builds—check out our current prototypes below to see where you fit in.
The Resident Researcher Program
Our Immersive Academic Research track is for students who live on-site, turning the house into a 24/7 hub for personal projects, commissioned studies, and startup ideas. It’s multidisciplinary and fast-moving, designed to give the next generation of professionals the edge they need. We bridge the gap between industrial psychology, design, and management, focusing on areas like:
Brain-Friendly Spaces & Smart Privacy ↙︎
- Stress-Free Design: Finding ways to build rooms that actually make people feel better and work smarter.
- Hacking the Smart Home: Integrating tech into our living spaces without giving away all our data or losing our privacy.
- Tactile Environments & Focus: Testing how different textures, lighting setups, and room layouts can naturally boost concentration without needing “productivity” apps.
New-School Business & Career Survival ↙︎
- Post-Growth & Alternative Careers: Designing business models for people who want to work for themselves or in small, agile teams rather than massive corporations.
- The Skill-Stacking Lab: Researching how young pros can mix different talents (like coding + psychology + carpentry) to stay unreplaceable in a weird job market.
- Impact-First Ventures: Building businesses that actually solve a problem or help a community while still being profitable enough to scale.
Scrappy Building & Local Tech ↙︎
- Upcycling & Material Rebirth: Moving past “sustainability” by finding clever ways to repurpose demolition waste and existing materials into high-end architecture.
- Home-Grown AI: Developing localized intelligence for educational contexts and create smart tools for self-directed learning.
- Impact Entrepreneurship & Ethical Management: Analyzing business models that prioritize social and environmental responsibility alongside financial viability.
Ansgar Halbfas at the Center for Integrated Facility Engineering proposing a concept to further investigate, and asking for advice from Stanford PhD students: The building is intended as a showcase and prototype for testing a variety of facade modules, both for a short and longer time period. One option includes the replacement of windows made from glass by facade elements made from multiple layers of common plastic wrap which is roughly 0.0005 inches thick and up to nine feet wide. This brings new challenges, especially for sound and heat insulation and condensation in between multiple film layers. Also the replacement and repair of transparent film layers (eg. due to damages, stains, dirt) is considered. Benefits include substantially reduced embodied carbon, cost and weight. Until built and tested we are not sure about the feasibility of this substitution and welcome any critical feedback.
