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Marlena Swan

Doctoral Researcher
Loughborough University
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Marlena is a UK-registered architect with 6 years of experience in the construction industry. Before joining ERBE CDT in October 2022 she worked as an architectural assistant and architect in practices in Yorkshire, Merseyside, and Cheshire, on projects across residential, commercial, and education sectors. Through education and work, Marlena developed a strong interest in energy efficiency and environmental design and wrote a master’s dissertation on the impact of Urban Heat Island on the cooling energy demand of a case study flat in Warsaw, Poland for which she received the University of Liverpool Tarn Dissertation Prize.
Retrofit solutions for transition to low energy demand and heat-resilient housing

The aim of this study is to identify effective, practical, and affordable retrofit interventions that reduce both energy use and summertime temperatures. The study will use digital models of the UK dwelling archetypes validated with measured data collected from existing dwellings to ensure the reliability of the results.

Parametric modelling will be used to analyse multiple retrofit combinations in various UK locations in current and future climates.  The analysis of the simulation results will aid the understanding of the impact of energy efficiency and overheating prevention measures on the dwellings’ performance.

The study will seek to determine which retrofit packages are most effective in minimising current and future overheating risks while decreasing heating energy demand and whether regional climate differences affect the best approach.