Dr. Farzaneh Soflaei | Sustainable Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Hampton University, United States

Dr. Farzaneh Soflaei is an esteemed architectural scholar and educator currently serving as a Tenure-Track Associate Professor at Hampton University. With over two decades of experience in architecture, urban design, and sustainable development, she is recognized for her profound contributions to both academia and professional practice. Her multidisciplinary background bridges Eastern and Western architectural traditions, offering a global perspective on sustainability and resilience in the built environment.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Soflaei holds two doctoral degrees: one in Urban Design and Theory from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, and another in Architecture from Azad University, Tehran, Iran. She also earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Architectural Engineering from Azad University in Kerman, Iran. Her academic journey reflects a deep-rooted commitment to the theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable architecture and urban development.

Experience

Dr. Soflaei’s academic tenure spans multiple institutions across Iran and the United States. She has taught at Azad University, Morgan State University, and the State University of New York, holding various positions from lecturer to visiting and assistant professor. Since 2022, she has been a vital part of Hampton University’s Department of Architecture, where she now serves as an Associate Professor. Her professional experience includes roles as a project manager and architect in Tehran-based design and construction firms, where she led sustainable housing and urban revitalization projects.

Research Interest

Her research primarily focuses on climate-responsive architecture, passive design strategies, urban resilience, and the integration of traditional design with modern sustainability frameworks. She is particularly interested in the revitalization of public urban spaces and the adaptive reuse of historical structures to meet contemporary environmental and social needs. Dr. Soflaei’s scholarship is rooted in bridging cultural narratives with ecological imperatives, often emphasizing the role of architectural design in mitigating climate change impacts, especially in vulnerable coastal and arid regions.

Award

Dr. Soflaei has received numerous accolades for her academic and research excellence. She was awarded the Best Paper Award at the 13th International Conference on Non-Traditional Materials and Construction Technology and has been the recipient of prestigious scholarships and fellowships from institutions such as Tsinghua University and Azad University. Her grants include a significant $700,000 collaborative research grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation focused on building coastal resilience through nature-based solutions.

Publication

Dr. Soflaei has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles that underscore her scholarly contributions to sustainable architecture. Notable works include:

1. Assessing the Role of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified Green Buildings in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Development, 2025 – A highly cited article published by John Wiley & Sons, reflecting her impact on policy and practice in green architecture.

2. Presenting an Energy-Efficient Model for the Envelope of High-Rise Office Buildings, Int. J. of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Research, 2021 – Addresses innovative design strategies in cold and dry climates.

3. Bioclimatic Passive Design Strategies of Traditional Houses in Cold Climate Regions, Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2021 – A study linking traditional architectural wisdom with modern sustainability metrics.

4. Assessment of Solar Shading Performance of Courtyard Houses in Desert Climates, Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 2020 – Focused on passive cooling and energy conservation in historic Iranian housing.

5. A Simulation-Based Model for Courtyard Housing Based on Adaptive Thermal Comfort, Journal of Building Engineering, 2020 – Proposes computational approaches for enhancing residential comfort.

6. A Comparative Study of Thermal Performance in Three Generations of Iranian Residential Buildings, Journal of Building Physics, 2020 – An empirical analysis bridging historical and contemporary design.

7. Integrated Parametric Design of Adaptive Facades for User’s Visual Comfort, Automation in Construction, 2019 – Explores parametric technologies for responsive facade systems.

Conclusion

Dr. Farzaneh Soflaei’s work exemplifies a holistic approach to architectural education and practice, rooted in sustainability, heritage conservation, and community engagement. Her dual expertise in academic theory and architectural execution allows her to mentor the next generation of architects while contributing robustly to scholarly discourse and real-world impact. As a prolific researcher, accomplished educator, and visionary in sustainable design, she continues to shape the discourse around environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive architecture.