Professor Darren Robinson

PhD CEng FIBPSA

School of Architecture and Landscape

Chair in Architectural and Urban Sciences

Director of Research

Darren Robinson
Profile picture of Darren Robinson
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
Sheffield
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

  • Kong L, Koh SCL, Sena V, Robinson D & Wood M (2025) . International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 99, 589-606.
  • Wang D, Tang Y-T, He J, Robinson D & Yang W (2025) . Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 43(4), 540-554.
  • 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) . JPhys Energy, 5(1).
  • 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.
  • Yi CY, Peng C, Childs C & Robinson D (2022) . Building and Environment, 207(Part B).
  • Robinson D (2021) . Architectural Science Review, 64(6), 465-466.
  • Robinson D (2021) . Architectural Science Review, 64(5), 409-409.
  • Zakhary S, Rosser J, Siebers P-O, Mao Y & Robinson D (2021) . Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 48(5), 1198-1212.
  • Wang D, Tang Y-T, He J, Yang F & Robinson D (2021) . Energy, 216.
  • Sousa G & Robinson D (2020) . Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 13(5), 516-531.
  • 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, ---.
  • Beck A, Long G, Boyd DS, Rosser JF, Morley J, Duffield R, Sanderson M & Robinson D (2020) . Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 47(1), 45-64.
  • Wetter M, van Treeck C, Helsen L, Maccarini A, Saelens D, Robinson D & Schweiger G (2019) . IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 323(1), 012114-012114.
  • Tran TH, Mao Y, Nathanail P, Siebers PO & Robinson D (2019) . Omega, 85, 156-165.
  • 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).
  • Rosser JF, Boyd DS, Long G, Zakhary S, Mao Y & Robinson D (2019) . Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 73, 56-67.
  • Purvis B, Mao Y & Robinson D (2019) . Sustainability Science, 14(3), 681-695.
  • Wate P, Coors V, Iglesias M & Robinson D (2018) . Urban Energy Systems for Low-Carbon Cities, 257-287.
  • 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.
  • Kruusim瓣gi M, Sharples S & Robinson D (2018) . Building and Environment, 135, 10-30.
  • Kruusimagi M, Sharples S & Robinson D (2018) . Applied Ergonomics, 69, 47-47.
  • 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 PMD, Eicker U & Robinson D (2017) . Energy Procedia, 116, 285-296.
  • Sancho-Tom獺s A, Sumner M & Robinson D (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.
  • K瓣mpf 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.
  • K瓣mpf JH & Robinson D (2010) . Energy and Buildings, 42(6), 807-814.
  • K瓣mpf 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.
  • K瓣mpf 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 (2008) . SPIE 壅翌腦瞳room.
  • 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.
  • K瓣mpf 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.
  • Girindran R, Boyd DS, Rosser J, Vijayan D, Long G & Robinson D () . Urban Science, 4(4), 47-47.

Book chapters

  • Agugiaro G, lvarez de Uribarri PM, Cajot S, Coors V, Goy S, Iglesias M, Prieto MP, Robineau J-L, Robinson D, Rodrigues P , Sancho-Tom獺s A et al (2019) , Urban Energy Systems for Low-Carbon Cities (pp. ix-x). Elsevier
  • 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
  • Perez D & Robinson D (2012) , Communications in Computer and Information Science (pp. 200-220). Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Conference proceedings

  • Wate P & Robinson D (2020) Emulation-based uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of a multi-zone dwelling. Proceedings of BSO-V 2020: 5th Building Simulation and Optimization Virtual Conference. Online conference, 21 September 2020 - 21 September 2020.
  • 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
  • Chapman J, Siebers P-O & Robinson D (2017) . Proceedings of the 15th IBPSA Conference (pp 179-188). San Francisco, CA, USA, 7 August 2017 - 7 August 2017.
  • Sancho-Tom獺s A, Chapman J, Sumner M & Robinson D (2017) . Proceedings of the 15th IBPSA Conference (pp 189-198). San Francisco, CA, USA, 7 August 2017 - 7 August 2017.
  • Sousa G, Jones B, A. Mirzaei P & Robinson D (2017) . Building Simulation Conference Proceedings
  • 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, W繹lki D, Robinson D & Treeck C (2017) Evaluation and re-training of two window opening models using an independent dataset. Healthy Buildings Europe 2017
  • 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)
  • Wate P, Coors V, Robinson D & Iglesias M (2016) . 11th 3D Geoinfo Conference (Volume XLII-2/W2), Vol. 42(2/W2) (pp 127-134). Athens, Greece, 20 October 2016 - 20 October 2016.
  • Robinson D (2012) . SIMUREX 2012 - Conception optimis矇e du b璽timent par la SIMUlation et le Retour d'EXp矇rience (pp 00010-00010)
  • Wilke U, Papadopoulou M & Robinson D (2011) . Link繹ping Electronic Conference Proceedings, Vol. 57 (pp 3224-3230)
  • 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)
Research group
  • Multiscale simulation group
Grants
  • RCUK Innovation Fellowship in UK Housing Stock Decarbonisation (2018 21): 瞿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): 瞿541k, EPSRC [CI]
  • Sustaining Urban Habitats: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Leverhulme Research Programme Grant (2015 20): 瞿1.75m + 瞿1.65M institutional support (瞿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, p681695, 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, Efficacit矇 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).

Links

People, environments and performance research group