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Kirk Bingenheimer's Research

Sharing Kirk's Research Projects

My Research Philosophy

My approach to research is grounded in the belief that meaningful inquiry in construction and the built environment should be deeply informed by professional practice and responsive to real-world challenges. While my primary faculty responsibilities center on teaching and experiential learning, extensive industry background positions me to contribute substantively to applied and translational research efforts that benefit both academia and practice.

I engage in research selectively and purposefully, most often in collaborative roles where industry experience strengthens project framing, methodology, and implementation. As a Co-Principal Investigator on ongoing and proposed research initiatives, I contribute practical insight related to constructability, cost, procurement, workforce dynamics, and project delivery—ensuring that research questions remain grounded in the realities of construction practice and housing delivery.

Across all contexts, my service philosophy emphasizes engagement with intent — contributing where my experience can add value, supporting initiatives that align with student learning and community impact, and participating in work that strengthens both the university and the profession it serves.

My research interests intersect with several critical areas, including construction education innovation, experiential and service-learning pedagogy, housing affordability, off-site and systems-based construction, and the responsible integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence into construction workflows and education. In each case, my focus is on bridging the gap between theory and application—supporting research that leads to actionable outcomes, improved decision-making, and scalable solutions.

I view research not as an isolated academic pursuit, but as a collaborative extension of teaching, service, and professional engagement. By partnering with faculty researchers, industry stakeholders, and community organizations, I aim to support projects that advance knowledge while remaining relevant to the people and systems responsible for designing, building, and sustaining the built environment.

Completed

"Economic Impact of Prevailing Wage Regulations"

Published by Kirk Bingenheimer on December, 1994 in the Associated Schools of Construction Journal

Estimates from the General Accounting Office and other sources suggest that the Davis-Bacon Act has a detrimental effect on the United States economy. Motivated by these findings, this researcher conducted a focused investigation into whether similar prevailing wage regulations at the state level also yield negative economic outcomes. State-level laws mirroring the federal Davis-Bacon Act are often referred to as "Little Davis-Bacon Acts." This study centers on one such law: the New Jersey State Prevailing Wage Act.

To evaluate the impact of the New Jersey statute, the researcher employed a combination of data collection methods, including surveys, telephone interviews, and formal correspondence. Secondary data was obtained through a comprehensive review of existing literature on prevailing wage legislation. The research findings indicate that New Jersey could potentially reduce its annual government expenditures by approximately $276 million if the prevailing wage law were repealed.

Ongoing

"Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing: Exploring Prefabricated Wood Component Use and Adoption in Texas"

Co-PI on funded research sponsored by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

"Affordable Housing for Pickens County School Teachers"

Co-PI on a collaborative community research project for the Pickens County School District

Proposed

"2025 Latrobe Prize - Architecture's Contributions to Human Health"

Co-PI on funded research by the American Institute of Architects (AIA)

"2Temp2Perm: De/Re-deployable Modular Housing for Rapid Disaster Recover and Permanent Residential Solutions"

Co-PI on funded research sponsored by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

"Innovative Solutions for Affordable Housing: Exploring Prefabricated Wood Component Use and Adoption in Southern United States"

Co-PI on funded research sponsored by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)