Charles Portelli is an Adjunct Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Center for Architecture and Sustainable Ecologies (CASE), where he teaches Environmental Parametrics. As a licensed architect and Associate at Perkins&Will's I/O group, he specializes in computational design strategies linking 3D modeling with fabrication processes. Holds a Master of Product Architecture from Stevens Institute of Technology and Bachelor of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Research integrates parametric modeling with environmental performance analysis, particularly daylight optimization. Previously served as VP at Thornton Tomasetti's CORE studio and Senior Product Manager at Flux.io, developing BIM interoperability solutions. Teaching experience includes Pratt Institute, CUNY, MIT, and RPI. Focuses on computational workflows that bridge design theory with practical construction applications.
Maria Matheou is a junior professor at the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (University of Stuttgart), where she leads the A07 subproject within the DFG-funded SFB1244 initiative. Her research focuses on adaptive kinetic facades, aiming to enhance urban sustainability through dynamic building envelopes that improve daylight performance and mitigate urban heat islands. She teaches design studios emphasizing transformable architecture and interdisciplinary approaches. She holds a B.Sc. (2009), Diploma (2010), and Ph.D. (2014) in Architecture from the University of Cyprus, with postdoctoral research on kinetic hybrid structures. Her work integrates robotics, automation, and environmental engineering to create responsive architectural systems. Key Research Projects : SFB1244: Adaptive skins for future built environments ADDOPTML: Optimized 3D-printed structures using machine learning Teaching : Adaptive Façade Skins (B.Sc./M.Sc., University of Stuttgart) Building Technology (University of Cyprus) Awards : Lambros & Thalia David Award for Excellence in Architectural Design (2010) University of Cyprus Scholarship for Academic Excellence (2013) Her lab collaborates globally with institutions like McGill University and the National Technical University of Athens on daylight optimization and reconfigurable mechanisms.
Tommy Kleiven is a Professor and Vice Dean for Education and Sustainability at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He holds a position in the Department of Architecture and Technology under the Faculty of Architecture and Design. His work focuses on sustainable architecture, passive energy design, and achieving zero-emission and plus-energy buildings and neighborhoods. Kleiven has extensive experience in both academia and industry, including leading research projects at SINTEF and managing architectural practices. Research interests include: Passive energy strategies in building design Climate-responsive architecture Renewable energy integration in urban planning Historic building renovation and energy retrofitting Multi-stakeholder approaches to sustainable construction His publications span over two decades, addressing topics like plus-energy apartment buildings, bioclimatic design in cold climates, and modular retrofitting solutions. Recent work emphasizes cross-climatic zone adaptation and Nordic sustainable building practices. Teaching responsibilities include the international MSc program in Sustainable Architecture at NTNU. He has advised numerous projects on energy-efficient design and led national/international research initiatives, including the Syn.ikia H2020 project. Outreach activities include conference presentations on passive house performance, deep renovation methodologies, and urban PV tool development. He has contributed to policy frameworks for sustainable building standards in Norway and the Nordic region.
Toke Rammer Nielsen is an Associate Professor and Head of Section in the Energy and Services group at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He has been a key academic figure at DTU since 1998, progressing from Research Assistant to Assistant Professor (2002–2007) and then to Associate Professor from April 2007 to the present. His work is central to advancing sustainable building design and energy efficiency in residential structures. Ph.D., Technical University of Denmark (1999–2003) M.Sc.(Eng), Technical University of Denmark (1993–1998) His research focuses on integrated design methods for energy-efficient buildings, with a strong emphasis on modeling ventilation, heating, and lighting systems. He investigates indoor environmental quality and energy performance in both whole buildings and individual components. His recent work explores natural ventilation in retrofitted apartment buildings, solar shading solutions to mitigate overheating, and climate facade technologies for historical buildings. These efforts align with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities and climate action. The most recent publications (2021–2025) reveal a consistent focus on building energy performance, natural ventilation, and retrofit strategies. Key themes include daylight optimization, overheating risk reduction, and cost-effective renovation measures. His work combines simulation tools like EnergyPlus with empirical studies on residential buildings, particularly in the Danish context. He also contributes to methodological development in energy certification systems. He actively supervises PhD students and participates in academic governance through roles such as Chairman of PhD Assessment Committees. He serves as a peer reviewer for journals like Energy and Buildings , contributing to scholarly quality in the field. Nielsen leads and participates in research projects such as 'Climate Facade' and 'Reduktion af risiko for overtemperatur i etageboliger', focusing on passive technologies, heat insulation, and solar control. His team collaborates on data-driven design of district heating systems and innovative double-loop networks for integrated heating and cooling. These initiatives involve interdisciplinary teams and external funding, indicating substantial grant acquisition and collaborative research capacity.
Nebojsa Jakica is a Lecturer at the University of Southern Denmark, specializing in Civil and Architectural Engineering. His research focuses on integrating renewable energy systems into building facades, with a particular emphasis on Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) , additive manufacturing , and lightweight membrane architecture . He has contributed extensively to sustainable design methodologies, energy-efficient building systems, and advanced simulation techniques. PhD, Department of Technology and Innovation Teaching: Facade Design, Passive Solar Design His work explores dynamic shading systems , smart building readiness , and circular economy principles in construction. Recent publications highlight 3D printing in architectural skins and environmental performance evaluation . Collaborations span international institutions, focusing on transformative building technologies and renewable energy deployment. Key trends in his research include solar integration , parametric design , and environmental adaptation in architectural systems. While no explicit awards are mentioned, his 33 publications and patents underscore significant contributions to facade engineering and sustainable building technologies.
Dr. Ahmed Obralic is an Associate Professor at the International University of Sarajevo , affiliated with the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the Department of Architecture . His work bridges architectural theory, urban heritage, and environmental design. Research interests include historic urban landscapes , daylight optimization in educational spaces, seismic resilience , and EU integration challenges . His studies emphasize social inclusion , environmental quality , and cultural tourism . Recent publications highlight trends in architectural conservation , sustainable urban development , and human-centric design . Key sub-fields span historic preservation , educational environment optimization , and disaster-resilient infrastructure .
Gözde Taşçı serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Interior Architecture at Beykent University's Faculty of Engineering and Architecture since 2018. Her academic profile centers on building physics and energy performance research within architectural contexts, with active memberships in the Building Physics Association (2024), IBPSA-TR (2021), and TMMOB Chamber of Architects (2012). Her research focuses on Building Energy Simulation, Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB), and Building Envelope optimization, with significant contributions to lighting design, indoor environmental quality, and energy certification methodologies. She investigates practical applications in residential and office buildings, particularly addressing Turkey's building energy challenges through advanced simulation techniques and boundary condition analysis. Taşçı's publication trajectory (2011-2024) reveals a consistent evolution from foundational energy certification studies toward cutting-edge nZEB frameworks and renewable integration. Recent works demonstrate increasing sophistication in solar panel simulation and boundary condition modeling, reflecting Turkey's evolving energy policy landscape and growing emphasis on sustainable building practices. She actively mentors graduate students, supervising four master's theses on lighting design in open offices, green building post-occupancy evaluation, pandemic-era housing adaptations, and home recording studio integration. Her academic service includes energy performance consultancy integration into building design processes, particularly for industrial facilities. As a core faculty member in Interior Architecture, Taşçı operates within Beykent University's building science research ecosystem, collaborating through IBPSA-TR networks to advance building performance simulation practices in Turkey's architectural education and professional communities.
Gillian Isoardi is a researcher affiliated with the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) . Her work focuses on daylighting systems , lighting design , and visual comfort analysis in architectural environments. Her research spans energy-efficient lighting strategies , discomfort glare prediction , and dynamic luminance modeling , particularly in tropical and subtropical climates. She has developed innovative frameworks for post-occupancy lighting evaluation and multi-region contrast analysis using high dynamic range imaging. Recent publications highlight her contributions to complex fenestration systems , public stairway illumination , and LED integration with daylight for office comfort. Collaborative projects with Veronica Garcia Hansen and Michael Hirning demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach to building performance simulation.
Athanasiou Tzempelikos is a Professor of Civil Engineering and holds a courtesy appointment as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University's College of Engineering. His research focuses on high-performance building design, daylighting systems, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency. He leads studies on dynamic facade systems, indoor environmental quality, and building simulation methodologies. His work integrates advanced technologies like deep learning and Bayesian methods to optimize building performance. Key areas include glare control, occupant preference modeling, and energy-saving strategies for commercial and educational buildings. He has developed novel tools for luminance mapping, thermal preference inference, and smart control frameworks. Research interests also encompass material science for building components and sustainable design. His publications span over a decade of innovation in building energy systems, shading technologies, and occupant-centric design principles. Collaborations bridge engineering, architecture, and data science to address global challenges in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
Won Hee Ko is an Assistant Professor at the NJ School of Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Her research integrates architectural design with indoor environmental quality, focusing on occupant comfort, well-being, and productivity. Prior to NJIT, she held a postdoctoral position at UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment and worked at Buro Happold Engineering. She earned a Ph.D. in Architecture (Building Science, Technology, and Sustainability) from UC Berkeley (2021), an M.S. in Building Science from USC (2012), and a B.Arch. from Yonsei University (2010). Education: Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, Architecture (2021) M.S., University of Southern California, Building Science (2012) B.Arch., Yonsei University, South Korea (2010) Research Interests: Her work emphasizes view clarity, thermal comfort, and sustainable building design. Key areas include window systems’ impact on occupant satisfaction, luminous/thermal autonomy metrics, and daylighting strategies. She develops frameworks for evaluating architectural interventions that balance environmental performance and human well-being. Article Trends: Her publications highlight experimental studies on building envelopes, view quality metrics, and circadian health integration. Recent work addresses glazing systems, shade design, and computational tools for optimizing building performance. Earlier research focused on complex facade simulations and energy efficiency. Awards & Grants: No specific awards listed, but her industry collaborations (e.g., Buro Happold) suggest applied research funding opportunities. Her postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley indicates access to strategic research networks. Advising & Labs: Currently advising no listed students but collaborates with industry and academia on building science projects. Her work aligns with NJIT’s focus on technology-driven architecture and sustainability.
Shahryar Habibi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Interior Architecture within the Faculty of Architecture at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) , Turkey. He has held academic positions at Maltepe University (2019–2023) and Girne American University , and completed post-doctoral research at Pennsylvania State University . His research spans building technologies, environmental control systems, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials in architecture. Education: Post-doctoral Fellowship – Pennsylvania State University, USA (2018–2019) PhD – Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Italy (2013–2016) Master’s – Istanbul Technical University, Environmental Control and Building Technology (2009–2012) Bachelor’s – Gazi University, Department of Architecture (2005–2009) Research Interests: Dr. Habibi’s work is centered on energy-efficient building design , building information modeling (BIM) , zero-energy homes , moisture management , and the integration of renewable energy systems in residential and commercial buildings. His research also explores bamboo as a sustainable building material , smart building technologies , and post-pandemic design strategies . Scientific Awards: Giulio Natta e Nicolò Copernico Awards – 2016 & 2020 Projects & Collaborations: Dr. Habibi currently leads the Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Historical and Existing Buildings in Istanbul project (2024–2026) funded by ITU's Scientific Research Projects (BAP). His work involves international collaborations, particularly in energy simulation, smart systems, and sustainable housing. Labs & Teams: He is affiliated with the ITU Faculty of Architecture at the Taşkışla Campus and actively contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives in building performance and sustainable design.
Michela Turrin is a researcher at Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, specializing in computational design, simulation-driven optimization, and 3D printing for architectural components. Her work bridges architectural engineering with digital technologies, focusing on multidisciplinary design explorations and high-performing building systems. Her research spans acoustic performance in office spaces, dementia-friendly design through machine learning, daylight optimization in residential buildings, and sustainable material applications like 3D-printed wood. She leads projects and international collaborations with industry partners. Notable achievements include two Best Paper Awards (2010) for work on structural morphology and daylight metrics. She has contributed to 111 research outputs, 4 datasets, and organized events like the CAAD Futures 2023 and SimAUD symposiums.
Dr. Terri Peters is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. She holds a PhD from Aarhus Architecture School and teaches courses such as ASC 201 Design Studio and ARC 920 Advanced Architecture Studio. Her research focuses on superarchitecture, emphasizing design elements that enhance health and well-being, including daylighting, healthy housing, and resilient environments. Peters advocates for integrating biophilic design and sustainable practices to create buildings that positively impact human health and the environment. Education: 2015: PhD, Aarhus Architecture School 2008: PGDip Arch/RIBA III, Kingston University 2006: DipArch/RIBA II, London Metropolitan University 2002: BEDS, Dalhousie University 2000: BA, University of Victoria Research Interests: Peters explores how architectural design can improve quality of life through strategies like maximizing daylight, optimizing air flow, and creating adaptable spaces. Her work addresses challenges in measuring qualitative elements of design, such as the psychological benefits of well-lit spaces. She emphasizes the importance of integrating digital simulations and environmental feedback into design workflows to bridge performance gaps. Advising & Grants: While specific student names or grant details are not listed, Peters' research often involves collaborative projects focused on healthy housing and sustainable design. Her work has been presented at health-related conferences, advocating for architects' roles in promoting healthier buildings. Labs/Teams: Her research aligns with initiatives like the Toronto Green Standard and WELL Building Standard, though no specific lab names are mentioned. Peters collaborates with industry professionals to test design strategies for residential and institutional spaces.
Chengyang Liu is a Lecturer in Construction Management (Education Focused) at the School of PCPM, RMIT University. His research focuses on renewable energy systems, building design optimization, and sustainable urban planning. He specializes in integrating photovoltaic technologies with building envelopes, virtual power plants, and data-driven approaches for energy decision-making. Research Interests: Building performance assessment, urban energy systems, solar energy applications, and digitalization in construction education. Key methods include machine learning for urban morphological analysis, reinforcement learning for VPP optimization, and frameworks for BIPV conceptual design. Recent work emphasizes community-focused renewable transitions, kinetic façade energy performance, and algorithmic approaches to energy pattern extraction. His articles bridge technical innovation with practical applications in urban sustainability. Service & Engagement: Organizing Committee Member for Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference (2023-2023), and RMIT CIB Student Chapter Member (2021-2022).
Dr. Mehdi Amirkhani is a Senior Lecturer at the University of South Australia's UniSA Online, specializing in building environmental technologies, net-zero energy solutions, and sustainable design. With a PhD in architecture, he has over 120 professional projects and expertise as an accredited Home Energy Efficiency Assessor. His teaching focuses on energy estimation, acoustics, and computational simulation, bridging theory and practice. Research interests include indoor environmental quality, building retrofitting, and zero-energy design. He co-leads the Zero Energy Mass Custom Home (ZEMCH) Network Australia and is a Full Member of Design Matters National. Awards include an Associate Fellowship from the UK Higher Education Academy. Notable achievements include second prize in a national design competition (2021) and organizing international events like the 'Shaping Sustainable Futures' webinar (2024). He has authored/co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and edited books on sustainable building technologies.
