Solar Buildings and Neighborhoods: Design Considerations for High Energy Performance

Dr. Caroline Hachem-Vermette is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design. An architect by training, she holds a Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering, and another Master degree and a Ph.D. in Building Engineering. Her research interests include assessing the solar potential and energy implications of building shapes, building envelope design, and multifunctional high -energy performance neighborhood patterns, to reach net zero energy status. Her research is multidisciplinary and serves as a ＂bridge-builder＂ between building engineering and architectural and urban design. An expert member affiliated with the International Energy Agency’s Task 63 (Solar Neighborhood Planning) and Task 51 (Solar Energy in Urban Planning), she has published in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Applied Energy, the Journal of Solar Energy and Journal of Energy and Buildings. She has been involved in feasibility studies for several solar community designs in regions across Canada. She is a recipient of a number of awards including the 2019 Peak Scholar award, the 2016 Sustainability Award, e-sim/ IBPSA Award for Innovation in Modeling, and Hangai Prize for young researchers.