Overview
Siyu obtained her MSc in Sustainable Architecture Studies from University of Sheffield. Prior to that she completed her undergraduate degree in Architecture at Xi’an Jiaotong University, China (2015). She joined the Welsh School of Architecture as a full-time PhD student in October 2017. She gained architectural assistant/intern work experience in Sheffield, UK and in Dali, China.
Selected publications
Duan, S and Tweed, C. (2020) 'Does Sharing Mean Sustainable? Sustainable Potential of Shared Spaces and Facilities in Residential Buildings', PLEA 2020 conference. Online, 1-3 September 2020.
Duan, S. (2018) 'Sustainability and Development of Cohousing Communities', 2018 Green Building and Eco-city conference. Jinan, China, May 2018.
Duan, S and Pelsmakers S. (2016) ‘Retrofit Challenges of Energy-efficient Upgrades of Terraced Housing in the UK: Reviewing and Analyzing Strategies From Case Study Projects’, Masters Conference People and Buildings. London, UK: NCEUB 2016.
Duan, S., Li, J., Che, Y. and Ma, X. (2013) ‘On investigation of historical block and environmental optimization based on cultural ecology’, Shanxi Architecture, vol 14, pp 2-6.
Research
Thesis
Achieving better thermal comfort in low energy buildings: How to reduce the energy performance gap between predicted and actual performance.
Siyu’s research interests lie in the area of “Building performance and process” and more generally in reducing the energy performance gap between predicted and actual performance from a technical and occupant perspective, and achieving better thermal comfort in low energy buildings.
The research aims to investigate, evaluate and minimise the energy performance gap between design expectations and actual performance. The objectives of the research are: to understand mismatches between different building energy modelling tools and actual energy data in different categories; to find out the gaps between actual occupants’ experience and designers’ anticipations; to provide a checklist of housing design elements that contribute to improving new build and retrofit design.