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.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
On April 24, 2026, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture hosted its annual Graduate Student Showcase, a celebration of research, design innovation, and creative exploration across all graduate programs within the College.
