Q: What is the Cocoziello Institute’s main goal?

Miller: It’s dedicated to advancing the real estate industry through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Established through the generosity of Peter Cocoziello ’73 Bus, our mission is to bring Penn State’s breadth of expertise—engineering, materials, finance, design, policy, and more—into conversation with industry to make the built environment more resilient, sustainable, and equitable.

Q: You mention cross-disciplinary collaboration. Can you explain that? 

Miller: [Penn State] faculty are developing breakthroughs in energy efficiency, construction methods, materials, and design, but they sometimes stay siloed in academic departments. The Institute is designed to break down those silos. We identify industry challenges and align them with faculty expertise to help move those ideas toward implementation.

Q: Is LionGlass an example of this?

Miller: Absolutely. John Mauro, professor of materials science and engineering, developed LionGlass, a new glass with remarkable energy-efficient properties. Through Institute support, he partnered with architectural engineering faculty to develop the first flat prototype, which became the first windowpane. That breakthrough has since been licensed to a company now pursuing large-scale applications in automotive and building markets.

Q: What other technologies are you helping to develop?

Miller: One example is our collaboration with X-Hab 3D, a Penn State startup that develops advanced 3D concrete printing technology that makes it possible to print entire walls and homes. This could dramatically improve housing affordability and sustainability.

Q: What are the most pressing challenges in real estate today?

Miller: The challenges are complex and interconnected. By 2057, nearly 50% of construction jobs are expected to be automated or teleoperated, so we need to prepare for a very different workforce future. Buildings and data centers are among the largest energy users in the world, and we must find ways to reduce their impact. Then there’s the urgent need for affordable housing.

Q: Finally, what is AI’s role in real estate innovation?

Miller: In design, AI tools are making it possible to generate building layouts that balance aesthetics, efficiency, and sustainability. And in construction, AI is driving automation and mass customization, which can speed up projects while lowering costs. 

Scarlett Miller, Paul Morrow Professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing, is special adviser to the senior vice president for research.