Simon Leroux

Background

About Simon Leroux

Design Technology Specialist and OAA Intern Architect with over 10 years of cumulative experience in academia, research, and professional practice within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. I recognize the important gaps between academic and industry needs, and I aim to fill those gaps where I can. In alignment with this aim, I continue to learn and adapt within this fast-evolving workplace with the common goal of building better cities by strengthening communication and collaboration across sectors and disciplines. My specialty lies in: • reviewing and synthesizing information from a wide range of sources to extract valuable conclusions • gaining a deep understanding of complex problems • evaluating the impact of design metrics and strategies in architectural and urban design This was demonstrated in my M.Arch thesis, in which I: • reviewed literature in urban bioclimatology, urban design, environmental psychology, and human thermal ergonomics • analyzed built precedents and existing climate metrics • developed a climate metric based on project conclusions and average climate data of 128 metropolitan cities using Excel and QGIS. The proposed metric aims to assist urban planners and designers in early-stage decision making for public space design in climates that experience both severe cold winters and hot summers. I take a holistic approach the work I undertake, informed by tangible evidence and the intangibles that make up my experiences as a designer, researcher, and user of designed spaces. My work aligns closely with principles of bioclimatic architecture, performance-oriented architecture, human- and activity-centred design, and the Healthy City movement. Reach out if you share an interest in systems thinking, computational design and construction, simulation modeling, workflow automation, building science, environmental psychology, or human thermal ergonomics.