Solving the Built Environment's Biggest Challenges
Through interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships and workforce development, the Cocoziello Institute connects Penn State expertise in engineering, AI, construction, energy, materials and real estate to create technologies that improve how the world designs, builds and operates buildings and infrastructure.
What We Do
Research with Industry
We support Penn State’s leading researchers in exploring innovative concepts, methodologies, and technologies related to the built environment, while actively collaborating with stakeholders—real estate developers, architects, engineers, corporations, and fellow researchers—to exchange insights and translate groundbreaking discoveries into real-world, commercial applications.
Education and Training
We provide education and training to disseminate the institute’s findings and insights to the broader community. Through workshops, seminars, conferences, and interdisciplinary coursework, we help prepare the next generation of industry leaders.
Our Focus Areas
Property Technology and AI
Leveraging advanced technologies, including robotics, digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, and the Internet of Things to revolutionize the built environment and construction fields.
Next Generation Built Materials
Next generation building materials for industry, especially in companies who are experiencing pain points in building materials.
Transforming Manufacturing Footprints
Exploring how emerging economic, technological, and social innovations will shape manufacturing footprints and industrial infrastructure of the future.
Future Energy Landscape
Enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions to meet growing energy needs.
Risk Planning, Assessment, and Mitigation
Identifying hazards, evaluating their impact, and implementing strategies to minimize risks to human safety and infrastructure.
Healthy and Affordable Housing Innovations
Creating healthy, sustainable, and affordable housing solutions, enhancing living environments and accessibility for diverse communities.
Environmental, Social, and Governance
Maximize sustainability within the built environment, leveraging big data, optimizing financial returns, ensuring compliance, and fostering ethical design practices.
Who We Are
The institute brings together private sector leaders with diverse experience across the real estate sector and faculty from top-ranked academic programs.
We created the institute to spur continuous learning and foster entrepreneurism—but most importantly, we saw a way to finally break through silos with cross-disciplinary conversations. Right now, these complex considerations get walled off in their respective academic fields, but Invent Penn State gives us a platform for dynamic engagement that lets us think about carbon emissions, supply chain logistics, architectural innovations and so much more, all at the same time. That’s an enormous leap forward.
– Peter Cocoziello
How You can Partner with Us
- Partner with us to help solve your issues in the built environment
- Network with our vast ecosystem of Faculty and Researchers
- Fund a student research project focused on a challenge in the built environment
- Host a networking event or information session with students
- Host a site visit or tour of your facilities
- Participate in on-campus events such as guest lectures and workshops
- Philanthropic opportunities with the Institute
Upcoming Events
Work with Us
