Research Associate in Passive Building Design
Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE),
School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape,
Newcastle University,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK
I am a Research Associate in Passive Building Design with the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape (APL) at the Newcastle University, UK. As an architect, I investigate bio-integrated (and bio-climatic) passive building design for climate change adaptation and mitigation. I have extensive experience in biomimetic design, bio-based material development, building physics modelling and simulation. Also, I am interested in the decarbonisation of energy systems, especially within the built environments in developing countries.
My current research (for the Respire project) within the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE) sits within the ‘Responsible Interaction’ theme and aims to explore the use of natural moisture-responsiveness of (selected) organic materials ―such as Wood, hydrogel (made from seaweed), wool and flax fibres― in response to moisture to produce novel breathing building skins with minimal cost and environmental impact. I am researching the operational requirements for the variable porosity building skins and developing strategies for integrating bio-based materials in low-energy buildings, which involves modelling, simulation, prototyping and testing.
Research Interest
- Passive building design
- Responsive design
- Biomaterials
- Climate change adaptation
- Space Architecture
- Energy systems modelling