Assistant professor of Interior Design Dr. Negar Matin recently published her study entitled “A data-driven optimized daylight pattern for responsive facades design” in the journal Intelligent Buildings International. Dr. Matin is lead author of the publication, with collaborator Ali Eydgahi.
Abstract:
This study presents a data-driven approach for investigating practical aspects of responsive facades illuminance optimization. In this approach, the hourly indoor illuminance data and spatial information are integrated to form an objective function. Then, the objective function is used to assess the visual performance of responsive facade systems by matching a wide range of angle movements with hourly daylight patterns. An office room with a responsive facade was simulated parametrically to test the proposed optimization function through design scenarios. Raw indoor illuminance data was generated for a year of both horizontal and vertical facade configurations in four different facade orientations and four facade locations/climate zones. Data analytic techniques were deployed for quality assurance, pre-processing, managing and analyzing the simulated data. A Brute-force search algorithm was utilized to determine the hourly optimum angle of the facade configuration. The result reveals hourly optimum adaptation angles can significantly improve indoor illuminance of all possible scenarios such as various facade configurations, facade orientations, and facade locations/climate zones in comparison with no-louvers and fixed louvers scenarios.
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
