SCHOOL  OF  ARCHITECTURE

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"In the last decade, earth's energy consumption averaged about 400 quadrillion (400x10¹⁵) Kilowatt-hours per year, and is anticipated to be three to four times greater.  It is vital to consider renewable resources which are clean, cost nothing beyond initial harnessing and maintenance, and which cannot be used up.  These resources can help meet the world's energy needs while mitigating the negative environmental impacts of traditional non-renewable sources.

As an architect, engineer, educator and as a human being concerned about the quality of life of people from all levels of society, my focus is  on environmental sciences, from teaching the fundamentals to energy conservation methods and passive solar design, and their implementation in a sustainable and climate-responsive green architecture for the future.  My research extends to developing methodologies of assessment and design of thermally comfortable outdoor spaces to provide amenable communities and social gathering spaces while providing solutions to the urban ecology problems of our time."

                                                                                          ---Nader Chalfoun, Ph.D., LEED AP

Nader Chalfoun, full professor, received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona's Arid Lands Resource Sciences Program in 1989, Master of Architecture from the University of Arizona's College of Architecture in 1985, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cairo University, College of Engineering, Architecture Dept. in 1972.  He is a LEED accredited professional active in the U.S. Green Building Council.  Dr. Chalfoun teaches environmental control systems, design studios with a focus on sustainable and green architecture, advanced elective courses on energy conservation, passive solar systems and computer simulation for thermal performance optimization of buildings.  Dr. Chalfoun developed and directs the House Energy Doctor Program (an award-winning energy education and outreach program in Pima County) and coordinates CALA's Graduate Program in Design and Energy Conservation.

Dr. Chalfoun has published several papers, articles, text and electronic books nationally and internationally.  He has been awarded many national and Federal grants.  He has designed environmentally-focused projects around the world and served on various local and international committees.  He holds one patent, several teaching and research awards and two professional registrations.  Dr. Chalfoun previously owned a prominent architectural consulting and services firm overseas.

Research/Creative Activities:

Nader Chalfoun is interested in working with students pursuing small- or large-scale sustainable designs that emphasize the use of applied research in the field of energy conservation, passive and active solar technologies, advanced building envelope systems, and intelligent use of materials.  Students should be able to demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts of human physiological comfort and sensorial threshholds regarding environmental factors (i.e., humidity, temperature, wind, luminosity, etc.) as well as the performance of ecological and sustainable designs.  Projects might be enriched by special attention to the provision of thermally comfortable outdoor spaces and landscape designs within specific climatic contexts.  As an option, designs can be justified and rationalized through the use of computer simulation, empirical instrumentations, data acquisition systems, and in laboratory testing.

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