Dorit Aviv

Dorit Aviv serves as Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design with a secondary appointment in the Material Science and Engineering graduate group. She directs the cross-disciplinary Thermal Architecture Lab focused on decarbonizing the built environment through thermodynamic innovations in architectural materials and forms.

Her educational credentials include a PhD in architectural technology (energy and computation track) and M.Arch with urban policy certificate from Princeton University, complemented by a B.Arch from The Cooper Union. Prior academic appointments include teaching roles at Cooper Union, Pratt Institute, and Princeton University.

Aviv's research integrates environmental performance with human health outcomes, specializing in radiant cooling systems, evaporative technologies, and bio-based materials to address urban heat islands. Her work bridges architectural design with material science to develop carbon-neutral cooling solutions that enhance energy efficiency while maintaining thermal comfort in extreme climates. Key focus areas include membrane-assisted radiant cooling, hydrogel applications for desert climates, and blockchain-integrated energy monitoring systems.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant trajectory toward decarbonization through passive cooling strategies, with strong emphasis on urban heat island mitigation, carbon-sequestering materials, and human-centered thermal comfort metrics. The research portfolio demonstrates systematic progression from fundamental radiant heat transfer studies toward scalable urban interventions.

Aviv's scientific recognition includes:

• Holcim Award for Sustainable Design and Construction (2021) for desert climate cooling prototype
• Holcim Foundation Acknowledgement Prize for Hydroculus project

Her research program is supported by substantial federal funding including U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and National Park Service grants, alongside industry partnerships with Microsoft, Ripple, and Armstrong World Industries. Current initiatives include the Penn4C mobile urban cooling station for North Philadelphia and Ramboll Foundation-funded research on membrane-assisted radiant cooling.

The Thermal Architecture Lab operates as a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration between architecture, engineering, and environmental science, actively developing prototypes like the evaporative cooling roof chimney and carbon-absorbing concrete systems while maintaining strong industry and community partnerships for real-world implementation.