MATTHEW HAWKS, PE, SE
Thermally Autonomous Buildings
My dissertation research explores the integration of building thermal and structural systems to create a renewably powered building heating and cooling system. The dissertation is composed of five parts, divided into individual articles for publication.
0. LITERATURE REVIEW of Building Heating and Cooling
COMPLETED & PUBLISHED
Hawks, M. and S. Cho. 2024. Review and analysis of current solutions and trends for zero energy building (ZEB) thermal systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2024;189:114028.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.114028
This study reviews and discusses the large breadth of building heating and cooling research in combination with past and current industry trends to discover future zero-energy building thermal systems, subsystems, and control strategies in support of the Zero Energy Buildings initiative.
Article Preview:
1. FRAMEWORK of Thermal Mass Energy Storage
IN PROGRESS: Abstract Accepted by ASHRAE for 2026 Winter Conference
This study defines, applies, and evaluates a novel commercial-scale, robust energy storage system that can be buried and forgotten, to pair with embedded radiant floor systems.
Case Study Building Application, showing battery designs:
2. FRAMEWORK of Building AI Control
IN PROGRESS: Abstract Accepted by ASHRAE for 2026 Winter Conference
This study defines, applies, and evaluates a new control architecture of a dual mechanical system that can prioritize, coordinate, and optimize the use of passive and renewable energy sources in heating mode.
Heating Mode for Different Building Types:
3. APPLICATION of Frameworks to Residential Construction
IN PROGRESS: Targeting ARCC 2026 Conference
This article will apply the thermally autonomous building frameworks to an average slab-on-grade residential structure simulated in three different North American climates to determine if home heating energy demand can be powered completely by onsite renewable energy sources, like solar water heaters or photovoltaically powered heat pumps.
Heating Mode for Different Building Types:
4. FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS of Thermally Autonomous Buildings
PLANNED: Target Submission in Fall 2025
This study will evaluate the comparative performance of the constructed Thermally Autonomous Building frameworks against current high-performance standards use three institutional buildings as case studies.
Heating Mode for Different Building Types: