PhD Oral Exam - Negarsadat Rahimi, Individualized Program

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

Problematic: The building sector is a major contributor to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making decarbonization a critical priority. Façades, as the primary interface between indoor and outdoor environments, play a significant role in regulating building performance. However, current façade retrofitting practices remain fragmented and lack a systematic, performance-driven decision-making approach. Existing methods often fail to integrate architectural design considerations, technical performance parameters, and heterogeneous data structures, limiting the reliability of building energy simulations and the effectiveness of retrofit strategies in reducing life cycle carbon emissions. Motivation: Addressing building decarbonization requires bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge of façade design and practical implementation in retrofit projects. While architectural studies often focus on formal and typological aspects of façades, and engineering approaches emphasize technical performance, these domains are rarely integrated into a unified workflow. This research is motivated by the need to connect architectural analysis, technical characterization, and data-driven modeling within a coherent framework. By progressively transitioning from conceptual understanding to practical application, the study aims to enable more informed, accurate, and scalable façade retrofit decision-making processes. Contribution: This research develops an integrated framework that links theory to practice in façade retrofitting for building decarbonization. It begins with an architectural analysis and categorization of façade types, establishing a theoretical foundation based on design strategies and formal characteristics. It then advances to the technical characterization of sustainable façade systems by defining their performance-related features. Building on these foundations, the research introduces a façade data modelling approach that structures heterogeneous data into a centralized model compatible with building and urban energy simulation tools. Finally, it proposes a multi-stage façade retrofitting decision-making framework that integrates performance indicators such as energy use intensity, life cycle carbon emissions, thermal and visual comfort, and constructability, supported by multi-criteria evaluation methods. By systematically connecting architectural theory, technical analysis, data modelling, and decision-making processes, this research provides a scalable and transferable methodology to enhance simulation reliability and guide effective retrofit strategies toward low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable buildings.