Integrated Design Approaches of Thermo-Active Building Envelope for Near Zero Carbon Buildings and Environmental Sustainability Kingston University in United Kingdom

The construction sector is a major contributor to global energy-related carbon emissions, with building operations accounting for a significant share. Achieving net zero carbon targets by 2050 requires innovative solutions in building design and operation. This PhD project at Kingston University focuses on integrated design approaches for thermo-active building envelopes, aiming to develop near or net zero carbon buildings that advance environmental sustainability.

Using the award-winning Town House at Kingston University London as an archetypal case study, the research will explore both passive and active solutions for energy-efficient building design. The project involves advanced building performance modelling and simulation using tools such as EnergyPlus, IES VE, and TRNSYS. A key objective is to extract new thermal indexes that can simply characterize the thermal behavior of thermo-active building envelopes for practical engineering applications.

The Town House, located on the Penrhyn Road Campus, exemplifies energy-efficient architecture with features like high-quality thermal insulation, built-in heat recovery systems, rooftop solar photovoltaics, and embedded thermo-active systems in concrete slabs. These systems enable the building mass to passively heat and cool the interior, contributing to significant reductions in energy demand and operational carbon emissions. The building has received prestigious awards, including the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize and the 2022 EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award.

The research will assess the performance of the Town House's thermo-active envelope and compare it with current UK Building Regulations for environmental sustainability. It will also investigate novel active solutions such as thermally active insulation, pipe-embedded walls, PCM heat storage walls, façade-integrated solar photovoltaic/thermal collectors, and thermoelectric batteries. These innovations aim to further enhance the thermal performance of building envelopes and support the transition to net zero carbon buildings.

Outcomes from this project will inform contemporary construction methods for architects, building engineers, and stakeholders, providing practical insights for decarbonizing new buildings and contributing to long-term net zero carbon goals. The research is situated within the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment at Kingston University, and is part of the Graduate School studentships competition for October 2026 entry. Funding may be available for successful applicants.

Applicants should have a strong background in civil engineering, architecture, environmental science, or related fields, with an interest in building performance modelling and sustainability. The application deadline is March 4, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the Kingston University London PhD Studentships and Faculty research webpages.