Ruchira Liyanage

Ruchira Liyanage is a Doctoral Researcher and Researcher at Tampere University's Faculty of Built Environment (Civil Engineering). They hold a Master’s in Sustainable Architecture (2024, Tampere University) and a Bachelor of Architecture (2021, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka). Their research focuses on sustainable design, energy-efficient architectural solutions, and urban resilience, with notable work on vegetation effects on thermal comfort and Sri Lankan vernacular architecture’s global influence. Ruchira actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects, including the DigiSus Research Platform as a student representative and Bloom Finland as a Board Member. They have received awards for research and design, including the Best Research Paper Award (2021) and design competition recognitions. Beyond academia, they engage in community projects, policy workshops, and governance models for sustainable development.

• Education:
• Master’s in Sustainable Architecture (2022–2024), Tampere University
• Bachelor of Architecture (2015–2021), University of Moratuwa
• Key Research Interests:
• Sustainable architectural frameworks for residential buildings
• Thermal comfort in high-rise urban environments
• Vernacular architecture’s applicability to modern sustainability challenges
• Professional Roles:
• Research Assistant, Tampere University (2024–present)
• Board Member, INTO Tampere Student Guild (2024–present)
• Student Representative, DigiSus Research Platform (2024–present)
• Awards:
• Best Research Paper Award (2021)
• Asia’s Young Designer Award finalist (2020)
• Gold Award for University Stall Design (2018/2019)
• Community Impact:
• Contributed to UN-linked urban heat mitigation projects
• Co-designed modular housing and zero-carbon initiatives
• Promoted digital literacy through workshops