Change in Leadership

alt_text
The Integrated Design Lab is happy to announce our new interim director Dr. Damon Woods! Dr. Woods is honored to take the helm at IDL as interim director for 2021. From his start as a summer intern at IDL nine years ago to now, working at the lab has been a source of inspiration and pride. After finishing his master’s at Boise State, Damon joined the IDL as a full-time PhD student from 2013-2018 focusing on thermal comfort, energy modeling, and radiant systems. During that time, Damon was fortunate enough to receive mentorship under each of the previous directors: Kevin, Elizabeth, and Ken. Damon hopes to continue the traditions of applied research, innovative education, and community engagement, which have been hallmarks of the IDL ever since its inception in 2004 under Ken Baker and Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg. Damon’s three main goals for the lab in 2021 are to:

  • Support more architecture and engineering students at the lab so they can bring the principles of integrated design into practice.
  • Expand the lab’s research avenues so that the IDL can provide Idaho’s design firms relevant insights on emerging building technologies.
  • Establish new partnerships with both industry and government so that together we can help build a more sustainable and resilient future for all Idahoans.


  • alt_text
    A personal note from Ken Baker. Folks, it has been a pleasure working with you and the IDL staff over the past two and a half years. Becoming the Interim Director of the IDL was not anticipated but, as my very last public sector job (yes I plan to retire this summer), it has been a very satisfying experience. Working with our youthful and highly talented staff was truly a highlight of my career. I am impressed to the extreme with the talent, the dedication and belief in efficiency and sustainability I have seen in all of our staff. They bring their best every day.

    As one of the five founders of the IDL, I have always believed in and supported the Lab. I am especially happy that we were able to build the amount of masters student interns to four over my tenure and that Damon will add to this number. Providing graduate engineering and architectural students with the opportunity to learn and apply the kind of real-world experience that will provide value to the design industry was a founding goal and my personal chief reason for supporting the creation of the IDL.

    I can’t say enough good things about our new Interim Director. Already incredibly skilled, Damon is always working to improve himself and the Lab. Through his dedication, people oriented style and applied knowledge of energy efficiency, I believe the IDL will thrive. All of us at the lab are 100% behind him.

    I’m very thankful for you, our clients, patrons and University of Idaho support system. I very much appreciate your good work.

    --Ken