Dr Vanda Dimitriou

Working across disciplines, I explore the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), energy simulation, and computational methods to further understanding and improve building energy systems. My work involves developing standardised data-driven thermal models, analysing building performance data, and investigating retrofit solutions for residential and commercial buildings, and urban environments.  My main research interests are:

• Dynamic thermal modelling and model calibration using real-world measured operational data, studying heat transfer from first principles to more complex building system representations
• Building Information Modelling, information transfer processes and interoperability with Building Energy Modelling at building and district scale to facilitate decision making
• Digital Twins of buildings and communities at the operational phase, to deliver a sustainable built environment

My research is co-created with industry and government.

Current research activity

Active PhD research projects:

Primary supervision

• Dimitris Enea Tseno (2022-to date) - subject area: Digital twins of HVAC systems, project sponsored VEXO International
• Hooman Azad Gilani (2021-to date) - subject area: Grey-box modelling in low-energy buildings, project funded by ERBE Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)

Secondary supervision

• Madeeha Altaf (2024-to date) - subject area: Visual and thermal performance of buildings in warm countries, project funded by ERBE Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• Raj Srivastava (2024-to date) - subject area: Energy flexibility based on operational data, project funded by ERBE Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• Faisal Shittu (2024-to date) - subject area: Comparison of polymeric plastic and steel pipes on performance of HVAC systems, project sponsored by Italsan
• Siyuan Dong (2023-to date) - subject area: Retrofitting UK houses for net zero, self-funded project

Completed PhD projects:

• Joshua Vasudevan (2020-2023) - thesis title: Data driven prediction of spatially distributed parameters using distributed sensors and control of comfort in UK office buildings, project sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric
• Amr Suliman (2020-2023) - thesis title: Visualising the impact of water quality on the energy performance of closed looped heating systems using IR thermography diagnostics, project sponsored by VEXO International
• Salam Al Samman (2018-2024, VIVA passed) - subject area: Indoor Air Quality in open-plan offices, project sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric

Recently completed research projects

• Design4Energy FP7 project (funded with the support of the European Commission, Grant agreement no: 609380): Research Associate
• REFIT (EPSRC funded, Grant reference: EP/K002457/1): Research Assistant

• Suliman, A, Eftekhari, M, Dimitriou, V, Tseno, D (2024) Water quality in HVAC hydronic systems: an international review, ASHRAE Transactions, 130(1), pp.982-990, ISSN: 0001-2505. DOI: 63044/w24sul117
• Suliman, A, Wilkinson, D, Dimitriou, V, Eftekhari, M, Tseno, D (2023) A visualization of the impact of water quality in the energy performance of closed looped heating systems using IR thermography, ASHRAE Transactions, ISSN: 0001-2505. DOI: 63044/s23sul010
• Dimitriou, V, Firth, S, Hassan, T, Kane, T (2020) The applicability of Lumped Parameter modelling in houses using in-situ measurements, Energy and Buildings, 223, 110068, ISSN: 0378-7788. DOI: 1016/j.enbuild.2020.110068
• Kane, T, Firth, S, Hassan, T, Dimitriou, V(2017) Heating behaviour in English homes: An assessment of indirect calculation methods, Energy and Buildings, 148, pp.89-105, ISSN: 0378-7788. DOI: 1016/j.enbuild.2017.04.059

Leading postgraduate modules:

• CVP308: Digital Buildings in a Global Design Context
• CVP309: Net Zero Building Design

Contributing to modules, including:

• CVC122: Integrated Design Project 2
• CVD021: Integrated Design Project 3
• CVZ002: Professional Practice
• CVA101: Professional Skills

After briefly working in consultancy in the field of energy and digital solutions, and since taking up a lectureship at Loughborough University in 2019, my work has concentrated on performance-based modelling approaches, particularly grey-box methods, and their integration with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twins. Much of my research aims to develop standardised methods for representing existing buildings more effectively, supporting improvements in energy performance. These areas are underpinned by collaborative research, often with industry partners.

Alongside research, I take an active role in teaching. I contribute to modules across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, and my teaching often incorporates interactive and applied learning approaches. I also lead on embedding ethics within a number of core modules, particularly those linked to professional and dissertation work.

Beyond The School, I contribute to several initiatives aimed at connecting academic work with wider policy and practice. I currently serve as Chair of Government Affairs for the ASHRAE UK chapter. These roles allow me to feed research insights into broader conversations around sustainability and building standards.

Overall, my work is grounded in digital engineering approaches to building performance, with a focus on collaboration, whether through joint research, curriculum design, or engagement with policy and industry. My aim is to continue contributing in ways that are both academically useful and practically relevant, and I welcome opportunities for collaboration.