SEE x Arup Joint Lecture Highlights Next-Gen Building Technologies and Academia–Industry Collaboration
The School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), in collaboration with Arup, a leading firm in the engineering and design consultancy industry, hosted a joint lecture titled “Beyond Building Systems: Next-Gen Technologies and Approaches for a Sustainable Future”. The event served as a dynamic platform to connect academic research and industry expertise, sparking meaningful dialogue around sustainability in the built environment.
Welcoming remarks from Prof. Patrick Sit (Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, SEE) and Ms. Theresa Yeung (Managing Principal, East Asia, Arup) set the tone for the evening. The lecture featured two keynote speakers: Ms. Fiona Cousins, Arup Fellow, Chief Operation Officer for Total Design and Executive Director Arup Group Limited Board. Her talk, “Building Performance Reimagined”, advocated for a new paradigm in building design—one that embraces adaptability, nature integration, and social responsiveness. By focusing on occupant well-being and regenerative design strategies, she highlighted how buildings can evolve to support both human and environmental resilience.
Prof. Wei Wu, Associate Professor at SEE, then delivered his keynote on “Adaptive Energy Technologies Towards Building Decarbonization”. He shared research-driven strategies for achieving net-zero energy performance, including innovations in smart building materials, adaptive heat pumps, and energy storage systems. His presentation highlighted scalable solutions that align with long-term climate goals and demonstrated the impact of academic research on real-world sustainability challenges.
The event drew participation from faculty, students, and professionals across disciplines. With support from the Business Environment Council, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited (HKGBC), the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Building Services Division, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (Hong Kong Branch), the lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A and networking session, reinforcing the value of collaboration between academia and industry.
SEE extends its sincere appreciation to Arup and all supporting partners for their meaningful collaboration in making this event a success.
