The nation could start to see the walls of its offices, businesses and homes become smarter as a two-year University of Michigan research-and-development project starts bearing fruit, participants say.

This fall, a team of environmental and computer scientists, along with architects and natural resources specialists launch their project to design, test and build new systems for the “envelopes” or outsides of buildings.

These systems would combine the widespread use of sensors, novel construction materials and utility-control software.