We research sustainable engineering solutions for the built environment. Our areas of interest include:

• Decarbonizing the built environment, including existing buildings. In order to achieve the global goal of zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, we take into account the whole life cycle of the building, including embodied GHG emissions (for materials and fittings), reduced energy use, conversion to low-exergy renewable energy sources, and energy-efficiency servicing buildings with heating, cooling, lightning, ventilation, sanitation, vehicle-charging, etc.

• Built environment is not just isolated buildings, but a holistic look at whole neighbourhoods. Increased urbanization poses special challenges related to human health and comfort, such as protecting inhabitants and facades from exposure to poor outdoor air quality, extreme precipitation causing moisture damage and flooding, and the heat-island effect exacerbated by climate change. But urbanization also opens up opportunities for community-scale solutions such as renewable energy district heating/cooling and smartgrids with energy storage.

• Smart buildings can achieve both goals (maintain human health and productivity whilst reducing GHG emissions). We apply digital technology to assist both design and operation (e.g. multi-parameter optimization, data-driven methods for building automation, individual demand-control of ventilation & lighting).

The backdrop for our research is UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, most notably Sustainable cities and communities, Affordable and clean energy, Good health and well-being, Clean water and sanitation (e.g. Legionella-free water supply), Responsible consumption and production (taking into account the whole life-cycle of the building and its materials), Climate action, and Industry, innovation and infrastructure.

To achieve the above goals requires a highly multidisciplinary. The research group integrates researchers with expertise within:

• Applied Engineering – Building physics, building services (HVAC, lighting, and building automation and controls engineering), renewable energy production, numerical modelling and optimization (of buildings and their technical services), metrology (we emphasize empirical evidence-based research; our laboratory and field measurement facilities are described below), and meteorology (weather data).

• Occupant Health – Indoor environment for human health, comfort and productivity, including indoor microbiology, indoor & outdoor air quality, and sanitation (Public Health Engineering) for buildings and health institutions.

The research group is active in research networks, externally funded research contracts, and integrates research into teaching (at bachelor, master and PhD-level). We publish peer-reviewed research, and exploit OsloMet’s attractive and central location for scientific meetings.