Privacy and data handling
BuildSMART is a public research prototype developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Use information that your organization permits you to share with the services described below. Access from a work computer remains subject to your organization's policies.
Project inputs and calculations
When you run an estimate, BuildSMART sends your selected location, building types and floor areas, reuse choices, and scenario settings to its server on Google Cloud for calculation. Location data includes its label, state, and coordinates when available. These inputs are not confined to your device.
The tool also uses your browser tab's session storage to restore project inputs and settings during your session. Reset tool clears the current project and its saved session state when browser storage is available. It does not remove feedback or contact messages you have already submitted.
Maps and location searches
Your browser loads map images directly from OpenStreetMap, which receives connection information, such as an IP address, and the requested map area. If you search for a custom location, BuildSMART forwards the search text to OpenStreetMap's Nominatim service. Selecting a location already listed in the tool does not require that external search. See the OpenStreetMap Foundation privacy policy for its handling of these requests.
Feedback and attachments
Feedback descriptions, categories, and any name or email you provide are sent to the development team's private GitHub repository, along with the page path where you submitted the report. Attachments are stored in private Google Cloud Storage and linked from the report.
Anyone with an attachment link can open it without signing in. GitHub can also retrieve images to display them in the report. Attachment links do not expire automatically. Include only files and screenshots that are appropriate to share this way.
Contact messages
The contact form sends your name, email address, optional organization, and message to the BuildSMART team through Amazon Simple Email Service. Your email address lets the team reply.
Questions and removal requests
Hosting and service providers also process routine request information, such as IP addresses and operational logs. For questions about data handling or to request removal of a submission, contact the BuildSMART team. Include your feedback reference number if you have one.