Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation

🎉 Welcome back to Fun Fact Friday: Cocoziello Institute Edition!

🌿 Did You Know?

Green roofs can be up to 30–40°F cooler than traditional rooftops on hot summer days.

So, what exactly is a green roof?

A green roof—also called a living roof—is covered with vegetation planted over a waterproof roofing system. Beyond creating beautiful spaces, green roofs help absorb rainwater, improve air quality, support pollinators, and reduce the urban heat island effect.

💡 Why it matters: Smarter building design isn't just about what's inside a building. Innovative features like green roofs can help create healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient communities.

This week, shining a spotlight on Dr. Kristina Brant, a member of the Cocoziello Institute’s Affiliated Faculty.

Dr. Brant is an assistant professor of rural sociology at Penn State and a co-funded faculty member of the Social Science Research Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology from the University of Chicago and her Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University.

Through mixed-methods, community-engaged research and research-informed Extension programs, Dr. Brant works to understand and support the health and well-being of rural communities and families, with a focus on rural Pennsylvania and the broader Appalachian region.

Her research examines important challenges facing rural communities, including rural health, poverty, substance use, the child welfare system and the criminal legal system.

Dr. Brant was also a co-investigator on the “Smart Amphibious Housing for Climate Resilience and Recovery Ecosystems” project, which received a 2025–2026 seed grant from the Cocoziello Institute. The project recently concluded after a year of interdisciplinary research focused on exploring innovative approaches to climate-resilient housing solutions.

Through research that bridges social science, communities and the built environment, Dr. Brant’s work helps advance solutions to complex challenges facing communities today.

Learn more about Dr. Brant’s research and contributions to the Cocoziello Institute: www.cocoziello.psu.edu

🎉 Welcome back to Fun Fact Friday: Cocoziello Institute Edition!

🏠 Did You Know?

Some homes can now be built using 3D printing technology!

As recipients of the Cocoziello Institute's 2026–27 Seed Grant Awards, Penn State researchers are studying a real, occupied 3D-printed concrete home to learn how it performs over time. Their research will examine its structural durability, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality to better understand whether 3D-printed housing is a practical long-term solution.

Their project officially began this month, and we're excited to share updates as their research progresses!

💡 Why it matters: New construction technologies have the potential to reshape how we design, build, and maintain the homes of the future.

🔗 Learn more about our Seed Grant Program: https://cocoziello.psu.edu/research/seed-grants/

🔗 Meet the 2026–27 Seed Grant recipients: https://www.psu.edu/news/cocoziello-institute-real-estate-innovation/story/cocoziello-institute-announces-2026-27-seed-grant

Countdown till the fall semester: ONE MONTH!

Students, are you ready to return to Penn State and these views? The Cocoziello Institute is excited to welcome you back! Stay tuned for information on exciting events we will be hosting this semester.

Investing in the next generation of built environment innovators 🏗️

The future of the built environment depends on innovators who can think across disciplines, collaborate with industry and turn ideas into impact.

A recent gift from Penn State College of Engineering alumna Pat Loftus is helping create those opportunities through the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation’s Future Innovators Fund and its partnership with the Penn State Learning Factory.

Through hands-on, real-world projects, students are gaining valuable experience working alongside faculty and industry partners to develop solutions to complex challenges across the built environment.

This investment highlights the power of experiential learning and the impact alumni can have in preparing the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers and innovators.

Learn more about how this partnership is connecting students, faculty and industry to shape the future of the built environment:
https://www.psu.edu/news/cocoziello-institute-real-estate-innovation/story/penn-state-alumna-invests-future-innovators

Penn State alumna invests in future innovators through Cocoziello Institute fund | Penn State University A gift from Penn State alumna Pat Loftus is expanding experiential learning opportunities through the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation's Future Innovators Fund. In partnership with the Penn State Learning Factory, the fund supports interdisciplinary, faculty-led projects that connect s...

🎉 Welcome back to Fun Fact Friday: Cocoziello Institute Edition!

🏠 Did You Know?

The average person spends about 90% of their time indoors.

That means the design of our homes, workplaces, schools, and community spaces can have a major impact on our health and well-being.

From clean air and natural light to comfortable temperatures and thoughtful design, the built environment shapes how we live every day.

💡 Why it matters: Better buildings can help create healthier, happier communities.

This week, proud to spotlight Alexander Wasden, a member of the Cocoziello Institute’s Student Advisory Council in our Building Futures Internship Series.
Alex is studying Architectural Engineering with a focus in Construction Management at Penn State College of Engineering and will begin his fifth and final year this fall in Penn State's integrated bachelor’s and masters’ program. During this time, he has been a major contributor to research centered on the use of AI-powered robotics for autonomous building inspections, work with direct applications in real estate and facilities management.
This summer, Alex is interning with Cu***ng Group, a project management and cost consulting firm in New York City. His project this summer includes working on Vanderbilt University's new campus in New York City, which is a complex project modernizing 13 buildings originally constructed in the late 1800’s. He has also supported projects at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts New York, Barnard College and the 92nd Street Y. In his role as part of the Owner's Representative team, Alex works alongside the general contractor and design team while coordinating directly with the client across all phases of delivery. This his second summer interning with this firm.
In the past he has also interned with Skanska, a General Contractor, and SOCOTEC US, a consulting firm, both in New York City.
Following graduation, Alex plans to continue his career in construction management, with a focus on Owner's Rep and project leadership roles in the New York metropolitan area.
Congrats, Alexander! We are so proud to have you on our Student Advisory Council.
***ngGroup

Forget everything you think you know about real estate.
At the Penn State Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation, real estate is more than buildings, transactions, and development.
It's about creating healthier communities. Designing resilient infrastructure. Advancing sustainable materials. Improving energy systems. Harnessing artificial intelligence and digital twins. Preparing the next generation of leaders. And bringing together architects, engineers, data scientists, business leaders, policymakers, and industry partners to solve challenges that no single discipline can solve alone.
Because the future of real estate isn't just about where we build—it's about how we innovate, collaborate, and shape the built environment for generations to come.
That's how we define real estate.

🎉 Welcome back to Fun Fact Friday: Cocoziello Institute Edition!
🚁 Did You Know?

Some building inspections no longer require workers to climb onto rooftops or assemble scaffolding.

Today, drones can safely capture detailed images of roofs, façades, and other hard-to-reach areas, helping identify potential issues faster and more efficiently.

💡 Why it matters: New technologies like drones are changing the way we care for the buildings and infrastructure around us.

Today we're proud to shine a spotlight on Dr. Scarlett Miller, the Advance Realty Investors Director of the Penn State Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation.

As she begins her third year leading the institute, Dr. Miller continues to advance interdisciplinary research, strengthen industry partnerships, and create new opportunities for students across the built environment.

Beyond the institute, she is the Paul Morrow Professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing at Penn State, an accomplished researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, and CEO of Medulate.

Thank you, Scarlett, for your leadership, vision, and commitment to advancing innovation at Penn State and beyond.

Penn State College of Engineering