Building science; lighting; energy & energy conservation; computer applications & design.
Architects establish in their designs a frame for our daily lives, a setting that reflects culture, region, and place; that contributes to our well-being as building occupants; and — of principal concern to me — a frame that shapes patterns of energy use. As physical objects our buildings often perform poorly, waste energy, dissatisfy occupants, and form a less than satisfactory architectural whole. We can do better and efforts to do so produce a more interesting architecture.
Charles C. Benton, widely recognized as Cris Benton, specialized in building science, lighting, energy conservation, and environmental management. His research focused on daylighting, thermal comfort, and the field evaluation of building performance. Throughout his career, he published and lectured on curriculum development, building performance measurement, and the integration of technology into architectural design and education. His work aimed to help students comprehend buildings and environments as dynamic and evolving systems.
Beyond academia, Cris Benton is an artist and experimental photographer renowned for his aerial imagery of landscapes surrounding San Francisco Bay. Employing kite-aerial photography (KAP) and custom camera rigs, he documented the South Bay’s transitional geographies. His work supported projects such as the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration and contributed images to PBS Newshour, the Exploratorium, and numerous environmental publications. His exhibitions at the Exploratorium, the Oakland Museum of California, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and the SFO Museum showcase his blend of technical experimentation and profound observation. This approach invites viewers to perceive familiar places at unfamiliar scales and interpret landscapes as layered and shifting systems rather than static scenes.
ARCH 140 – Introduction to Energy and Environmental Management
ARCH 245 – Daylighting Analysis Using Physical Models
ARCH 249X – Special Topics: The Physical Environment in Buildings