Dr Eftychia Spentzou

DipArchEng MSc PhD PGCAP FHEA ARB Architect

  • Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Architectural Design

Research and expertise

My research combines my architectural background with building performance modelling expertise (computational fluid dynamics and dynamic thermal modelling) and has demonstrated approaches to ensure resilience of the existing building stock, deliver sustainable development, and provide solutions to fuel poverty.

Current research activity

  • Reducing the impact of extreme heat to improve well-being in cities - REFIT  (British Academy)
  • PhD supervision: C. Angelopoulos, Design and control of mixed-mode cooling and ventilation in low energy residential buildings
  • PhD supervision: H.H.C. Tsang, Energy saving retrofits for residential buildings in the hot summer and cold winter zone in China

Recently completed research projects 

  • PhD supervision: T. Corbett (2019) Impact of opening geometry on the Indoor Environmental Quality in deep, open-plan, naturally ventilated office typologies in temperate climates

Recent publications

  • E Spentzou, MJ Cook, S Emmitt (2018) Natural ventilation strategies for indoor thermal comfort in Mediterranean apartments. Building Simulation 11 (1), 175-191
  • E Spentzou, MJ Cook, S Emmitt (2019) Modelling natural ventilation for summer thermal comfort in Mediterranean dwellings. International Journal of Ventilation 18 (1), 28-45 
  • E Spentzou (2015) Refurbishment of apartment buildings in the Mediterranean Region for natural ventilation: implications for building design

Teaching

I contribute to learning and teaching activities across the Schools programmes. I began teaching in 2011 sustainable design modules at postgraduate level, and in 2015 modules on integrated sustainable building design, architectural detailing, architectural drawing and representation at undergraduate level.

Undergraduate

  • Architectural design based core modules to AEDM (Architectural Engineering and Design Management), CEM (Construction Engineering Management), Architecture (BArch) and Civil Engineering (BEng/MEng) students.
  • Supervision of dissertations on topics aligned to my research interests.

Postgraduate

  • Supervision of dissertations on topics aligned to my research interests.
  • Teaching contribution to MSc modules.

Career 

I am an Architect (DipArchEng), graduated with first class honours from the University of the Thessaly, Volos, and I have previously worked in industry as the principal architect on a series of residential developments. I joined Loughborough as a Lecturer in 2015. The focus of my research has been passive building designs for indoor comfort and low energy retrofit scenarios. Expertise in numerical modelling and simulation was developed during my MSc (2009, Low carbon building design and modelling) and PhD (2015) on building design for natural ventilation; both obtained from LU. My research spans the relationship between visionary architecture, sustainability and vernacular practices and the interactions between humans and the built environment.

In addition to my teaching responsibilities I contribute to undergraduate courses as a year tutor and admissions tutor. Through my role in LU I have actively engaged and coordinated multiple outreach activities, focusing on encouraging young female students into STEM careers. 

Professional affiliations

  • Registered Architect, Architect Registration Board UK (ARB)
  • Registered Architect, Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

External activities

  • Journal referee: Building Simulation; Journal of Building Performance Simulation; Building Services Engineering Research and Technology; Journal of Building Engineering