Robinson, Darren, Professor

Professor Darren Robinson

PhD CEng FIBPSA

School of Architecture and Landscape

Chair in Architectural and Urban Sciences

Director of Research

d.robinson1@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 2220 308

Arts Tower

Full contact details

Professor Darren Robinson
School of Architecture and Landscape
Arts Tower
Western Bank
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S10 2TN

Profile

My main passion is for research that makes a difference. Much of my research is conducted at the interface between social physics (people), building physics (buildings) and urban physics (city): people – buildings – city.

This research is conducted at multiple scales: from the performance of individual buildings in their urban context and the how this performance is influenced by occupants; through the performance of entire complex urban systems and how their spatial and functional structures can be improved upon to maximise metabolic efficiency; to the performance of city, regional and national scale stocks of buildings and how these evolve over time.

Increasingly, I am interested in understanding how the implications on resource use of individuals, households, firms and institutions can be influenced (e.g. to invest in decarbonisation technologies, or to engage in more sustainable practices) and how this understanding can be embedded into predictive models.

In my spare time I am a keen triathlete, competing at standard (Olympic), middle (Half-Ironman) and long (Full Ironman) distances.

Research interests

My main research interests are in:

Statistical modelling of peoples’ presence, activities, comfort and behaviours.
Multi-agent stochastic simulation, integrating the statistical models of human behaviour with complementary representations of agents’ decisions (agent learning, belief-desire-intent, group decision making).
Modelling agents' (firms, households) investment decisions and changes in their resource-using (e.g. energy using) practices.
Solar radiation and daylight modelling in the urban context.
Urban energy simulation, in particular of buildings’ performance and the integration of buildings with smart heat and power grids.
Integrated modelling of the spatial structures and functioning of urban systems with a view to improving upon their metabolic efficiency.
Energy simulation of housing stocks at regional or national scale, and their temporal evolution, to inform decarbonisation policy.
Multiscale (urban, national, continental, global) integrated assessment modelling to support climate change policy.

Publications

Journal articles

Wang D, Tang Y-T, He J, Robinson D & Yang W (2024) . Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 734242X241271042.
Yi CY, Peng C & Robinson D (2023) . Building and Environment, 243.
Sayani R, Ortega-Arriaga P, Sandwell P, Babacan O, Gambhir A, Robinson D & Nelson J (2023) . Journal of Physics: Energy, 5(1), 014004-014004.
Hey J, Siebers P-O, Nathanail P, Ozcan E & Robinson D (2022) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation.
Whiteley TD, Avitabile D, Siebers P-O, Robinson D & Owen MR (2022) . Journal of the Royal Society. Interface, 19(190).
Purvis B, Mao Y & Robinson D (2022) . Sustainability Science, 17(1), 151-169.
Robinson D (2021) . Architectural Science Review, 64(6), 465-466.
Yi CY, Peng C, Childs C & Robinson D (2021) . Building and Environment.
Robinson D (2021) . Architectural Science Review, 64(5), 409-409.
Wang D, Tang Y-T, He J, Yang F & Robinson D (2020) . Energy.
Sousa G & Robinson D (2020) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 13(5), 516-531.
Zakhary S, Rosser J, Siebers P-O, Mao Y & Robinson D (2020) . Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science.
Wang D, He J, Tang Y-T, Higgitt D & Robinson D (2020) . Journal of Cleaner Production, 251.
Wang D, Tang Y-T, Long G, Higgitt D, He J & Robinson D (2020) . Waste Management, 102, 452-463.
Wate P, Iglesias M, Coors V & Robinson D (2020) . Applied Energy, 258.
Rosser JF, Long G, Zakhary S, Boyd DS, Mao Y & Robinson D (2019) . ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 8(4).
Purvis B, Mao Y & Robinson D (2019) . Entropy, 21(1).
Wate P, Coors V, Iglesias M & Robinson D (2018) . Urban Energy Systems for Low-Carbon Cities, 257-287.
Rosser JF, Boyd DS, Long G, Zakhary S, Mao Y & Robinson D (2018) . Computers, Environment and Urban Systems.
Purvis B, Mao Y & Robinson D (2018) . Sustainability Science.
Chapman J, Siebers PO & Robinson D (2018) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 11(5), 604-621.
Sousa G, Jones BM, Mirzaei PA & Robinson D (2018) . Energy and Buildings, 172, 459-477.
Tran TH, Mao Y, Nathanail P, Siebers P-O & Robinson D (2018) . Omega.
Kruusimagi M, Sharples S & Robinson D (2018) . Applied Ergonomics, 69, 47-47.
Kruusimägi M, Sharples S & Robinson D (2018) . Building and Environment, 135, 10-30.
Beck A, Long G, Boyd DS, Rosser JF, Morley J, Duffield R, Sanderson M & Robinson D (2018) . Environment and planning. B, Planning & design.
Kruusimagi M, Sharples S & Robinson D (2017) . Applied Ergonomics, 65, 286-308.
Souza G, Jones B, Mirzaei P & Robinson D (2017) . Energy and Buildings, 151, 66-80.
Uribarri PMÁD, Eicker U & Robinson D (2017) . Energy Procedia, 116, 285-296.
Robinson D, Sancho-Tomás A & Sumner M (2017) . Energy and Buildings, 135, 350-366.
Monsalvete P, Robinson D & Eicker U (2015) . Energy Procedia, 78, 3360-3365.
Jones B, Das P, Chalabi Z, Davies M, Hamilton I, Lowe R, Mavrogianni A, Robinson D & Taylor J (2015) . Building and Environment, 92, 644-656.
Wilke U, Haldi F, Scartezzini J-L & Robinson D (2013) . Building and Environment, 60, 254-264.
Schweiker M, Haldi F, Shukuya M & Robinson D (2012) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 5(1), 55-74.
Robinson D & Haldi F (2012) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 5(1), 1-3.
Haldi F & Robinson D (2011) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 4(4), 323-338.
Robinson D & Haldi F (2011) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 4(4), 301-302.
Haldi F & Robinson D (2011) . International Journal of Biometeorology, 55(5), 681-694.
Rasheed A, Robinson D, Clappier A, Narayanan C & Lakehal D (2011) . International Journal of Climatology, 31(2), 289-301.
Haldi F & Robinson D (2010) . Building and Environment, 45(11), 2440-2457.
Kämpf JH, Wetter M & Robinson D (2010) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 3(2), 103-120.
Haldi F & Robinson D (2010) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 3(2), 135-153.
Kämpf JH & Robinson D (2010) . Energy and Buildings, 42(6), 807-814.
Kämpf JH, Montavon M, Bunyesc J, Bolliger R & Robinson D (2010) . Solar Energy, 84(4), 596-603.
Haldi F & Robinson D (2009) . Building and Environment, 44(12), 2378-2395.
Kämpf JH & Robinson D (2009) . Applied Soft Computing, 9(2), 738-745.
Haldi F & Robinson D (2008) . Building and Environment, 43(12), 2163-2177.
Robinson D & Haldi F (2008) . Energy and Buildings, 40(7), 1240-1245.
Page J, Robinson D, Morel N & Scartezzini J-L (2008) . Energy and Buildings, 40(2), 83-98.
Robinson D & Haldi F (2008) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 1(1), 43-55.
Robinson D, Campbell N, Gaiser W, Kabel K, Le-Mouel A, Morel N, Page J, Stankovic S & Stone A (2007) . Solar Energy, 81(9), 1196-1211.
Kämpf JH & Robinson D (2007) . Energy and Buildings, 39(4), 445-453.
Robinson D (2006) . Solar Energy, 80(12), 1643-1648.
Robinson D & Stone A (2006) . Solar Energy, 80(3), 260-267.
Robinson D & Stone A (2005) . Building Services Engineering Research and Technology, 26(4), 271-284.
Robinson D & Stone A (2004) . Solar Energy, 77(3), 295-309.
Wetter M, van Treeck C, Helsen L, Maccarini A, Saelens D, Robinson D & Schweiger G () . IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 323, 012114-012114.
Girindran R, Boyd DS, Rosser J, Vijayan D, Long G & Robinson D () . Urban Science, 4(4), 47-47.

Chapters

Robinson D (2019) , Building Performance Simulation for Design and Operation (pp. 659-695). Routledge
Wate P, Coors V, Iglesias M & Robinson D (2019) , Urban Energy Systems for Low-Carbon Cities (pp. 257-287). Elsevier
Agugiaro G, Álvarez de Uribarri PM, Cajot S, Coors V, Goy S, Iglesias M, Prieto MP, Robineau J-L, Robinson D, Rodrigues P , Sancho-Tomás A et al (2019) , Urban Energy Systems for Low-Carbon Cities (pp. ix-x). Elsevier
Perez D & Robinson D (2012) Urban Energy Flow Modelling: A Data-Aware Approach, DIGITAL URBAN MODELING AND SIMULATION (pp. 200-220).

Conference proceedings papers

Amponsah K, Zakhary S, Robinson D, Nathanail P, Logan B & Siebers PO (2019) Distributed building energy simulation with the hla. Simulation Series, Vol. 2019-July
Waldron JA, Lawson G, Robinson D & Cobb S (2017) Variability of human behaviour in outdoor public spaces, associated with the thermal environment. Proceedings of 33rd PLEA International Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017, Vol. 1 (pp 1328-1335)
Purvis B, Mao Y & Robinson D (2017) . Procedia Engineering, Vol. 198 (pp 802-812). Shanghai, China, 5 September 2016 - 9 September 2016.
Wolf S, Wölki D, Robinson D & Treeck C (2017) Evaluation and re-training of two window opening models using an independent dataset. Healthy Buildings Europe 2017
Chapman J, Siebers PO & Robinson D (2017) . Building Simulation Conference Proceedings, Vol. 3 (pp 1613-1622)
Sancho-Tomás A, Chapman J, Sumner M & Robinson D (2017) . Building Simulation Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1 (pp 359-368)
Sousa G, Jones B, Mirzaei PA & Robinson D (2017) . Building Simulation Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1 (pp 405-413)
Allen A, Zakery S, Mao Y & Robinson D (2017) . Procedia Engineering, Vol. 198 (pp 826-835)
Wang K, Siebers P-O & Robinson D (2017) . Procedia Engineering, Vol. 198 (pp 366-374)
Page J, Robinson D & Scartezzini J-L (2007) Stochastic simulation of occupant presence and behaviour in buildings. BUILDING SIMULATION 2007, VOLS 1-3, PROCEEDINGS (pp 757-764)
Robinson D & Haldi F (2007) An integrated adaptive model for overheating risk prediction. BUILDING SIMULATION 2007, VOLS 1-3, PROCEEDINGS (pp 745-750)
Wate P, Coors V, Robinson D & Iglesias M () . ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol. XLII-2/W2 (pp 127-134)
Wate P & Robinson D () Emulation-based Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis of a multi-zone dwelling. IBPSA-England Building Simulation and Optimization 2020

Research group

People, Environments and Performance Research Group
Multiscale simulation group

Grants

RCUK Innovation Fellowship in UK Housing Stock Decarbonisation (2018 – 21): £268k, ESRC [original applicant of Fellowship, now held by Dr Gustavo Sousa].
Unlocking the Potential of Model-Predictive Control in Non-domestic Building Energy Management (2016 – 19): £541k, EPSRC [CI]
Sustaining Urban Habitats: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Leverhulme Research Programme Grant (2015 – 20): £1.75m + £1.65M institutional support (£3.4M total) [PI].
Smart cities with sustainable energy systems, Marie Curie ITN (2014 – 17): €270k [CI].
InSMART— Integrative Smart City Planning, EC FP7 (2013 – 16): €320k [CI].
Innovative instruments for the planning and management of urban energy systems: Swiss Federal Office of Energy (2009 – 2011): 250 kCHF [CI]
An investigation of strategies leading to a 2kW city using a bottom-up model of urban metabolism: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) (2009 – 2012): 480 kCHF. [PI]
Ecosystemic Modelling of Urban Metabolism Based on Modern Thermodynamics: SNSF (2005 – 2008): 500 kCHF [CI].
Multiscale Modelling of Building-Urban Interactions: SNSF (2005 – 08): 250 kCHF [CI].
Project SUNtool, Framework 5, European Commission (2003 – 2005): 1.94 M€ [PI].

Teaching interests

Principles of building physics
Multiscale simulation

Teaching activities: Module Convenor: Principles of building physics for sustainable design

Professional activities and memberships

FIBPSA
MCIBSE

Awards and external activities

Awards:

2020 Best Paper Award: Sustainability Science journal, 14, p681–695, 2019.
2015 Elected Fellowship: International Building Performance Simulation Association
2013 Sir Edmund Happold Senior Visiting Research Fellowship: University of Bath.
2011 Best Paper Prize: 2010/11, J. Building Performance Simulation: 3(2) p135-153, 2010
2010 Best Paper Award, Building and Environment Journal: 45(11), p2440- 2457, 2010.
2009 Best Paper Award, Building and Environment Journal: 44(12), p2378-2395, 2009. Arup Prize, BS2009 paper on Simulation & Design. Visiting Professorship (2009 – 2011): Technical Research Centre of Finland.
2007 CIBSE Napier-Shaw Medal for work in radiation modelling: BSER&T 26(3) p271-284.

External activities:

2006-15 Member: Sustainable Towns Panel: French national research agency (ANR).
2012-16 Member, then Co-Chair then Chair: Scientific Advisory Board: Joint Programming Initiative – Urban Europe.
2015 Member: Mathematics, Physical Science and Technology Panel: Research Council of Norway (RCN).
2016 Conference Co-Chair (with Karen Seto): Inaugural Urban Transitions Global Summit
2016 Member: International Advisory Board, Efficacité Institute, France.
2014-18 Member: Science and Technology of Construction and the Built Environment Panel: Research Flanders Foundation (FWO).
2019-20 Chair: Science and Technology of Construction and the Built Environment Projects Panel: Research Flanders Foundation (FWO).
2020 Member: Planning Panel: Research Council of Norway (RCN).

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School of Architecture and Landscape

School of Architecture and Landscape

Professor Darren Robinson

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

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