b"BCBEC FOUNDATION AWARDS PROFILEBCBECFOUNDATION AWARDS PROFILE:Youness YousefiY ouness Yousefi, recipient of theYY: Earning this award has had aoffer the following key pieces of advice BCBEC Foundation award inprofound impact on my career, elevatingbased on my academic path, professional 2020, currently works at thethe visibility and credibility of mypractice and teaching experience: University of Calgary. Nowinterdisciplinary research within both1. Cultivate an interdisciplinary mindset. sharing his insights with theacademic and professional circles. It hasBuilding science exists at the intersection students of 2025, Younessreinforced my identity as a researcherof architecture, engineering and envi-graciously shares his experience andworking at the forefront of climate- ronmental performance. Regardless of advice with BCBEC Elements readers. responsive design, and it has opened newwhether your background is in architec-BCBEC Elements: What first drew you toopportunities for collaboration, publica- ture or engineering, the ability to think building science? tion and academic advancement. across disciplines is essential. Youness Yousefi: What first drew me toBE: How has BCBEC supported 2. Ground your knowledge in building building science was the desire to bridgeyour career? physics. A solid foundation in heat, air the gap between architectural design andYY: BCBEC has played a valuable roleand moisture transfer is critical. Seek out building performance. During my earlyin supporting and shaping my career bycoursework, workshops or certifications education and practice in architecture,fostering a strong community of building(e.g., ASHRAE) that emphasize these I became increasingly interested in howscience professionals, researchers andfundamentals. buildings behavenot just aestheticallyindustry leaders committed to advancing3. Develop strong technical and analyt-or spatially, but also thermally, hygrother- high-performance buildings in Britishical skills. Become proficient in simula-mally and environmentally. Ultimately,Columbia and beyond. As someonetion tools such as WUFI and EnergyPlus, it was the opportunity to innovate at thetrained in both architecture and buildingas well as design platforms like Rhino and intersection of design, science and sustain- engineering, Ive always sought spaces thatGrasshopper for parametric modelling.ability that drew me inand continues topromote interdisciplinary collaboration,4. Stay curious and current. The field is drive my work today, especially as I exploreand BCBEC has been exactly that.rapidly evolving, with emerging topics. climate-adaptive building envelopes usingAttend conferences (e.g., ASHRAE, innovative materials in my PhD research. BE: What is your favourite part aboutBCBEC, IBPSA), read widely and stay BE: What did it mean for you, person- working at the University of Calgary? updated with applied research. ally, to receive this award? YY: My favourite aspect of working at the5. Bridge research and practice. Whether YY: Receiving this award was deeplyUniversity of Calgary is the opportunityworking in academia, consulting or meaningful on both a personal and profes- to engage in interdisciplinary, forward- design, aim to translate technical insight sional level. It served as an importantthinking research and teaching withininto practical, sustainable solutions. affirmation of the interdisciplinary patha dynamic academic environment. The6. Focus on your mission. At its core, Ive chosenone that merges architecture,School of Architecture, Planning andbuilding science is about improving the building science and emerging technolo- Landscape (SAPL) fosters a culture thatperformance, resilience and sustainability gies in pursuit of more sustainable andencourages experimentation and innova- of the built environment. Let that mission responsive design solutions. To have [my]tion, aligning seamlessly with my researchguide your career choices, whether you're work acknowledged by a respected body ofon bioinspired, climate-adaptive testing materials in a lab, designing enve-peers felt incredibly rewarding, especiallybuilding envelopes.lopes in a studio or mentoring students in as it reaffirmed the broader relevanceBE: Do you have any advice for the classroom.of responsive architecture in addressingpeople looking to start a career inVisit bcbec.com/bcbec-foundation/awardsclimate resilience. building science? for more information on BCBEC BE: How did earning this award affectYY: Absolutely. For anyone looking toFoundation awards, nomination criteria your career? start a career in building science, I wouldand how to apply.20 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION"