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Rob Fleming
Associate Professor Rob Fleming received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University and went on to practice architecture for the next 7 years, earning his professional registration in 1992. In, 1996 Rob received his Master’s of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech: Washington Alexandria Architecture Consortium. His thesis project, The Seeds of Sustainability set the stage for a lifelong research pursuit dedicated to better understanding, promoting and visualizing a sustainable future. Rob began teaching full time at Philadelphia University in 1996 and was charged with the design, development and teaching of courses focused on computer aided design, multimedia design and sustainable design. His research seeks to combine those interests leading to conference papers on digital ecology and the role of multimedia in sustainable education His sustainable design studio, taught since 1997 explores the relationship between environmental efficiency, community vitality and green aesthetics. In 2000, Rob co-founded the Engineering and Design Institute @ Philadelphia University, an interdisciplinary research center focusing on green materials, sustainable design and community outreach. Funded by a grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, the center is developing several new materials, serves as a design resource for firms seeking to design green buildings and provides community outreach initiatives such as the Sustainable Design Resource Library. During this time, Rob received training in energy modeling and the LEED rating system. He has also provided consulting to a number of firms and companies that are designing green buildings. Most recently, Professor Fleming is committed to the issue of sustainability as evidenced by service to a number of organizations including ACSA, AIA C.O.T.E., ADSPSR and most recently became a founding board member of the Delaware Valley Green Building Council.

Chris Pastore
Professor Chris Pastore received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from LaSalle University, MS in Mathematics from Drexel University and PhD in Materials Engineering from Drexel University. His thesis focused on the processing science modelling of advanced textile composites with an emphasis on three dimensional braiding. Chris taught at Drexel University in the Materials Engineering program (1988-90), North Carolina State University in Textile Materials Science (1990-1995), University of Gent in Textile Engineering (1995) and Philadelphia University in Textile Engineering (1995-present). His research focuses on design and analysis of novel materials with an emphasis on fibrous materials. Recent developments in sustainable materials have created a new research focus for Dr. Pastore. In 2000, Chris co-founded the Engineering and Design Institute with Rob Fleming.

Robert Fryer
For nearly ten years, Robert designed and managed projects for Lyman Perry Architects.  His design projects ranged from exclusive private residences to schools to golf club houses along the entire east coast of the US, with most projects focused in Nantucket and Boston.  Robert was a member of the design team which won first prize for the Nantucket Golf Club.  His work with Lyman Perry concentrated on traditional building techniques and forms that were closely related to the site and the vernacular. 

After studying sustainable architecture at the AA School in London, Robert has focused on alternative designs that reconsider traditional building materials and techniques.  His research is centered round adaptive building skins and interior applications of membranes and textiles, which combine new technologies with climate analysis in the design of dynamic membranes.  The goal of his research is to enhance buildings’ interaction with microclimates to effectively reduce energy consumption, while using recyclable or biodegradable material.  Additional research seeks to update historical architecture to effectively interact with microclimatic conditions. Robert joined the Engineering & Design Institute in April 2004, and is an adjunct professor of Architecture at Philadelphia University.  He is involved with company engagements through the Institute, and has overseen energy modeling training seminars.  Robert is managing a research team in the study and evaluation of high performance school design under a grant from the William Penn Foundation, as well as assisting in the research of innovative material applications for the building industry.

Carol Konopinski