Axel Seerig

Axel Seerig is Professor of Building Climate and Building Technology at the Department of Technology and Architecture of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU). He works at the Institute of Building Technology and Energy (IGE) and the Center for Integrated Building Technology, where he leads research and teaching in sustainable building concepts. With over 25 years of experience in building simulation and sustainable energy concepts for buildings, areas, and regions, he has established himself as a leading expert in climate-responsive building design.

Seerig completed his studies in Process Engineering and earned his PhD in Thermodynamics at the Technical University of Berlin. His academic journey includes leadership roles as program director for Building Technology at the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Burgenland and senior researcher positions at AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology) and AEE-intec.

His research focuses on the development of sustainable energy concepts using computer simulations for building climate control. He applies scientific principles of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics through dynamic simulations in the disciplines of building climatic engineering and building simulation. His work emphasizes maximizing natural resources and user exposure to the outdoors through natural air conditioning, ventilation, and lighting, with human well-being as the central focus of planning. Current research includes energy efficiency in engineering systems for Central Asia, climate change adaptation in building design, and advanced data analysis for building performance assessment.

His publication record shows a consistent focus on building energy efficiency, climate-responsive design, and simulation methods. Recent work emphasizes the integration of data analysis techniques like Monte-Carlo methods and artificial neural networks with traditional building simulation approaches. His research addresses critical challenges including climate change impacts on building performance, uncertainty in occupancy patterns, and the development of robust building concepts that maintain performance throughout their lifecycle.

Seerig serves as an advisor in the Master of Science program MSE in Building Technologies and for doctoral studies at Middlesex University in London. He has received research funding through projects like SCCER FEEB&D (Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research) and has consulted internationally for the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Central Asia and Africa.

He is an active member of the building science community, serving on the board of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA), as a reviewer for the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), and as a member of professional organizations SIA and VDI. His work connects academic research with practical building projects, including notable collaborations with firms like Gruner AG on buildings such as the Roche OPAL office building, Siemens Headquarters Austria, and the Vienna Central Station.