About CHPC

Building an Interactive Computing Habitat

Siebel Center's computing habitat is a combination of the Center's Physical Spaces, its sophisticated Building Technologies, and our "Virtual" Environment that together act as a "living laboratory" for world-class research, education, and service.

This habitat is a framework which facilitates interactions among people, enables access to information and resources, and inspires innovation and high-tech solutions to real-world problems. In a habitat where computers can control the doors, the lights, environmental controls, large displays, cameras, sensors and more – How can we leverage these technologies to best serve us? How can traditional problems of space and resource allocation be solved in an advanced "computing habitat"? How do we connect real-world fixtures with virtual infrastructure features?

These are everyday challenges to inhabitants of the Siebel Center. To promote our habitat, the department's annual Computing Habitat Programming Competition challenges its students, faculty, and staff to integrate Siebel Center technologies in the service of all those who learn, teach, and work in the building.

Students are encouraged to engage their environment, identify solutions that enhance student life, and win cash prizes!

Past competitions have resulted in a suite of collaborative tools designed to improve group-based coding, development, and design activities; Biometric Authentication System Software (BASS); and a series of map-based projects designed to assist users throughout the building.