Associate Dean for Research Administration
Full Professor
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0205
(540) 231-5607, e-mail: silver@vt.edu

Place of Birth: Gordonsville, Virginia
Citizenship: USA
Date of Birth: 24 May 1951
Marital Status: Married - three children

Robert P. Schubert is a professor and member of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Professor Schubert's research has been in the area of energy and building design with an emphasis on promoting architectural solutions that minimize the dependence on non-renewable energy sources and environmental degrading processes. This work is represented in a co-authored book, Alternative Energy Sources in Building Design, 1974. His more recent efforts have focused on the development and evaluation of tools that help to guide and evaluate the consequences of design decisions. These tools, primarily predictive computer models, help to ascertain the performance of passive solar buildings. These models have been validated against the performance of occupied passive solar buildings utilizing specially developed data acquisition equipment. Other funded research includes a survey of radon measurement techniques in buildings and open site conditions with an emphasis on determining effective methods of radon remediation.

Professor Schubert is currently serving as the Associate Dean for Research for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. During his tenure as Research Dean, the college reached the highest level of funding attained during the history of the school, placing the college in the top three of it's peer institutions. Other administrative accomplishments include creating and instituting the College's Scholarship Enhancement Grant Program designed to support both faculty and students. He is also the director of the Environmental Systems Laboratory; served on the board of directors of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium, a consortium of thirty-four national and international schools of architecture involved in building related research; and director of the Master of Science Program in the College of Architecure.

1976
M.Arch., Environmental Systems, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

1974
B.Arch., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

Administrative Appointments

1993-present
Associate Dean of Research Administration College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1989-present
Chairman, Price's Fork Research Center User's Group, Research Division, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1988-present
Director, Environmental Systems Laboratory (ESL), Price's Form Research Center, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Research, Scholarly & Creative Achievements

Research Grants

1993-1995
"State Agency Solar Energy Systems Monitoring and Evaluation"
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Funding: $179,928
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

1991
Research + Demonstration Facility Phase II. This 4400 square foot Phase II is for an indoor air quality research laboratory and cold air distribution mechanical system.
Sponsor: Philip Morris, Inc.
Funding: $634,907
Role: Co-Investigator

1991
"Technology Development for Removal of Indoor Air Pollutants"
Sponsor: Union Carbide Chemical and Plastic Company
Funding: $365,329
Role: Co-Investigator

1990-1993
"Comparative Evaluation of Displacement Ventilation and Conventional VAV Systems for Indoor Air Quality."
Sponsor: Philip Morris USA
Funding: $299,317
Role: Co-Principal Investigator with James E. Woods

1990-1992
"Technology Development for Removal of Indoor Air Pollutants."
Source: Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastic Company
Funding: $634,907
Role: Project Investigator

1986-1988
"Radon Detection and Remedial Action in Virginia Residences"
Source: Core Research Grant, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Funding: $12,000
Role: Principal Investigator

"Innovation with the Bi-Axial Block Wall System"
Source: National Concrete Masonry Association and the Center for Innovative Technology
Funding: $80,000
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

"The Performance of Batch Hot Water Heaters in the State of Virginia"
Source: State of Virginia Energy Office
Funding: $23,000
Role: Principal Investigator

1987 Research + Demonstration Facility Phase I
Source: NCMA, Research Division and CAUS ($800,000). Additional support from Philip Morris Corp. ($250,000)
Funding: Total: $1,050,000
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

"A New Documentation Methodology: Videographic Architectural Analysis for Historic Preservation"
Source: National Endowment for the Arts. Design Arts Program Exploration
Funding: $60,000
Role: Co-Principal Investigator with Barrett Kennedy and Dennis Jones

1984-1985
"Virginia Passive Solar Commercial Building Performance Assessment"
Source: Passive Solar Commercial Buildings Program, Department of Energy
Funding: $7,000
Role: Principal Investigator

"The Solar C/M System: Investigation of a Multi-function Wall System for Application with Solar Heating and Ground Cooling"
Source: Advanced Energy Projects, Department of Energy
Funding: $48,000
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

Publications

1989
"Using Video Cameras in Restoration" with Barrett Kennedy, Dennis B. Jones and Michael G. Yamarik. Architecture Magazine. (Vol. 78, No. 7: July 1989.

1984
Russian Edition -- Alternative Natural Energy Sources in Building Design

1981
Second Edition -- Alternative Natural Energy Sources in Building Design, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, New York (Revisions include major updating from 1974 edition, plus the addition of a new chapter on Solar Energy), book co-authored with A.J. Davis

1977
Alternative Natural Energy Sources in Building Design, published by Van Nostrand/Reinhold Company, New York, 252 pages, book co-authored with A.J. Davis

1975
Schubert, R.P., Davis, A.J., Alternative Natural Energy Sources, Journal of Architectural Education, Sept. 1975

Professional Awards and Recognition

1992
Virginia American Institute of Architects Award for Excellence, Research and Demonstration Facility, with Jack Davis and Bill Galloway

1979-1980
College of Architecture and Urban Studies Teaching Excellence Award