Redefining Energy-Efficient Buildings: Beyond the “One-Size-Fits-All” Paradigm
Dr. Khovalyg will highlight emerging evidence that challenges long-standing assumptions in comfort modeling and HVAC control:
- Thermoregulation varies significantly across and within individuals
- Comfort is often local and transient, not just whole-body and steady-state
- Fixed metabolic rates and “average occupant” models can misrepresent real comfort and strain
Short Bio:
Dr. Dolaana Khovalyg is a Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the founding head of the Laboratory of Integrated Comfort Engineering (ICE). Her research integrates building physics, thermal engineering, and human physiology to advance human-centric indoor environments. Her work challenges the long-standing “one-size-fits-all” paradigm of climate control, advocating instead for personalized thermal environments and occupant-centric system design. She also contributes to IEA EBC Annex 87 and has received several recognitions, including the Best Paper Award at the International Building Physics Conference (IBPC 2021).
Dr. Dolaana Khovalyg
Professor, The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
Travis R. English
Chief Design Engineer & Sr. Director of Engineering, Kaiser Permanente
Travis.R.English@kp.org
From Air Changes to Outcomes: Rethinking Healthcare Ventilation
Travis R. English will share why long-standing assumptions: some rooted in guidance from 50+ years ago, are being re-examined by new evidence. Multiple ASHRAE research efforts and real-world hospital measurements point to a counterintuitive insight: higher ventilation rates do not automatically improve indoor air quality.
So what’s next?
- Smarter air, not more air
- Performance-based design over checkbox compliance
- Infectious aerosol control + decarbonization as one mandate
- Lessons that helped shape ASHRAE Standard 241
Short Bio:
Travis English is the Chief Design Engineer and Senior Director of Engineering for Facilities Planning and Design at Kaiser Permanente. He leads the engineering standards team responsible for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, controls, energy, and water systems, and oversees design program requirements for engineered systems across Kaiser Permanente facilities. Since joining Kaiser Permanente in 2011, Travis has led research and development efforts in healthcare ventilation and energy performance. He has authored or co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and helped establish Kaiser Permanente’s award-winning commissioning program for new construction. He also serves on several ASHRAE committees advancing healthcare engineering standards.
