Farshid Torabian Received ASLA Research Merit Award
Farshid Torabian, Doctor of Design candidate, received a merit award in the Student – Research category from the Iowa chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (Iowa ASLA) for his project titled “Urban Landscape Design Strategies to Improve Outdoor Thermal Comfort for Iowa State University Campus Using ENVI-met Software.” The award was presented Friday, Oct. 23, at its fall 2020 virtual awards celebration.
Torabian completed the independent study project as a graduate student under the guidance of Ulrike Passe, Iowa State University associate professor of architecture. He used ENVI-met to simulate a part of the Iowa State campus and analyzed outdoor thermal comfort for humans in summer (warmest days) and winter (coldest days). His research revealed that existing bus stops and seating areas are not located in thermally comfortable zones and helped him identify more thermally comfortable locations for these bus stops and seating areas.
Farshid Torabian is a doctorate candidate in the LSU College of Art & Design and an instructor at the LSU School of Architecture. He is a licensed and practicing architect. For ten years, he has taught as an instructor, lecturer, and graduate teaching assistant at Louisiana State University, Iowa State University, and Amin University.
Farshid’s research interests include the following: artificial intelligence, computational design, sustainable design, energy-efficient buildings, thermal comfort, and urban microclimate.