About Dr. Yi
Biography
Dr. Yun Kyu Yi teaches environmental architecture and sustainable technology and researches in the area of computational building modeling and simulation, building performance evaluation, and indoor occupant’s behavior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Previously he has lectured several universities in Korea and taught at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Yi is the co-founder and lead investigator of the Responsive Architecture Lab (RAL) at the School of Architecture. The lab embraces interdisciplinary research with colleagues in engineering and computer science. The RAL is pursuing collaborative research that demonstrates and enhances the ability of architecture to incorporate and develop new technologies in pursuit of a better built environment. The RAL develop an application for performance-based design support that links research outcomes to the development of new processes, systems, and products. Currently, the lab is collaborating to develop advanced building energy model and collaborated with several architects for international competitions.
Dr. Yi is also a lead author or co-author of numerous scientific papers. He has published more than 33 peer-reviewed journals and 20 peer reviewed conference papers. He participated in the translation of a book that received the Sejong Outstanding Scholarly Book Award. The journal paper “Programmable Kiri-Kirigami Metamaterials,” which he co-authored, was highlighted on Advanced Science News. Recently he received Faculty Award for Excellence in Research from the College of FAA.
Using a GANs model to predict indoor air flow (Left: Input geometry; Center: Ground truth (CFD); Right: GANs prediction)
Streamline around a pavilion for generating electricity. (https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2022.2040308)
The RAL team (Professor Yun Kyu Yi and Zhanpeng Liu) developed a tool to generate a Tensegrity system for Rhino. (https://www.food4rhino.com/en/app/tie-tensegrity-integration-element-rhino)
QuVue calculates the actual three-dimensional projection area of obstacles onto a virtual hemisphere, considering humans’ downward view.
Education
- Ph.D., Architecture, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania. Dissertation: Integration of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Energy Simulation (ES) for Optimal Energy Form Generation (2008)
- Master of Science, Architecture, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania (2005)
- Master of Science, Architectural Engineering, Department of Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, South Korea (2001)
- Bachelor of Science, Architectural Engineering, Department of Architectural Engineering, Hong-Ik University, South Korea (1995)
Research and publications
Selected publications
Yi, Y.K., et.al., “Designing a Pavilion that Generates Electricity,” Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD), Volume 6, Issue 1, 100-115, 06 Jun 2022, https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2022.2040308
ShanShan Wang, Yun Kyu Yi, NianXiong Liu, "Multi-objective optimization (MOO) for high-rise residential buildings’ layout centered on daylight, visual, and outdoor thermal metrics in China,” Building and Environment, 2021,108263, ISSN 0360-1323, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108263
Wang, B., Yi, Y. K, “Developing an Adapted UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) for the Elderly Population in China’s Severe Cold Climate Region,” Sustainable Cities and Society. Volume 69, June 2021, 102813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.102813.
Yi, Y. K., Tariq, A., Park, J., and Barakat, D., “Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) of a Skylight Roof System for Structure Integrity, Daylight, and Material Cost,” Journal of Building Engineering. 34. Feb. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102056.
Yi, Y. K., Zhang, Y., and Myung, J., “House style recognition using deep convolutional neural network.” Automation in Construction. 118. Oct. 2020, 103307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103307.
Yi, Y. K. and Kang, B., “Integrating a wind turbine into a parking pavilion for generating electricity,” Journal of Building Engineering. 32. Nov 2020, 101471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101471.
Qiu, Changyu, Y. K. Yi, M. Wang, H. Yanga, “Coupling an artificial neuron network daylighting model and building energy simulation for vacuum photovoltaic glazing,” Applied Energy Volume 263, April 2020, 114624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114624 .
Yi, Y. K., “Building facade multi-objective optimization for daylight and aesthetical Perception,” Building and Environment, Volume 156, April 2019, Page 178-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.04.002.
Shen, P., Braham, W., Yi, Y. K., and Eaton, E., “Rapid multi-objective optimization with multi-year future weather condition and decision-making support for building retrofit,” Energy, Volume 172, 1 April 2019, Pages 892-912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.01.164.
Kim, H. and Yi, Y. K., " QuVue Implementation for Decisions Related to High-rise Residential Building Layouts," Building and Environment, Volume 148, 15 January 2019, Pages 116-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.10.055.
Shen, P., Braham, W., and Yi, Y. K., "The feasibility and importance of considering climate change impacts in building retrofit analysis." Applied Energy, Volume 223-234, 1 January 2019, Pages 254-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.10.041.
Shen, P., Braham, W., and Yi, Y. K., "Development of a lightweight building simulation tool using simplified zone thermal coupling for fast parametric study." Applied Energy, Volume 223, (August 2018), pp 188-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.039.
Yi, Y. K.K, Yin, J., and Tang, Y., “Developing an advanced daylight model for building energy tool to simulate dynamic shading device,” Solar Energy, vol 163 (2018): pp 140-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.01.082.
Teaching and advising
Classes taught
ARCH 576: Performance and Design: Parametric Integration
This elective class develops techniques for integrating environmental performance analysis into the design of buildings, with an emphasis on parametric methods.
ARCH 475: Arch Design & Development (Capstone Studio)
This is a final year undergraduate studio with an emphasis on schematic design and development of a small-scale public building, integrating materials, details, structure, technology, program, life safety, and universal design.
ARCH 274: Representation
This is core class is intended for students to represent ideas, values, and meaning in the built environment, with a focus on three topic areas: analysis, technical communication, and modeling.
ARCH 573: High Performance + Responsive Architecture
This graduate design studio emphasizes that buildings are never inert and static, but should be dynamic and respond to their environment. The studio aims to design a building that it is capable of self-modification, regulation, and adaptation. By reacting intelligently to environmental changes of various kinds, architecture can be high-performance building.
ARCH 576: Simulation and Design
This class introduces environmental technology using state-of-the-art computer simulation models for energy, lighting, and acoustical analysis.
Students advised
^Denotes service as Chair or co-Chair of Committee; IP = In progress
Current Ph.D. advisees
- ^You-Jeong Kim, “Developing Grey Energy Model,” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IP.
- ^Manal Anis, “Responsive biomaterial and design integration,” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IP.
- ^Keunhyuk Jang, “Dynamic coupling of CFD and Whole building energy simulation,” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IP.
Past Ph.D. advisees
- Jaewook Lee, “Integration of Daylight and Building Design for Human Health and Wellbeing," University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020.
- Nastaran Shishegar, “The Promise of Lighting for Improving the Quality of Life in Older Adults: Evaluating the Impacts of Tuning Ambient Illumination on Older Adults’ Sleep Quality, Mood, and Cognitive Performance," University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020.
- Grant Mosey, “Quantifying Design Trade-offs in Sustainable Urban-Scale Design Through Multivariate Optimization,” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020.
- Pengyuan Shen, “Whole building retrofit life cycle optimization method integrated with impacts of climate change and its uncertainties,” University of Pennsylvania, 2017. Now Assistant Professor at School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China, 2017.
Visiting Ph.D. advisees
- Shanshan Wang, Visiting Ph.D. student, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 2019-.
- Bo Wang, Visiting Ph.D. student, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China, 2019-20.
- Changyu Qiu, Visiting Ph.D. student, Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China, 2019.