Marianne Touchie

Associate Professor

Background

Marianne Touchie joined the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in July 2016 and received tenure in 2022. She is jointly appointed in the Departments of Civil & Mineral Engineering and Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto and Director of the Building Energy and Indoor Environment Lab. She completed her BASc (2009) and PhD (2014) in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Upon completion of her PhD, she became the Building Research Manager at the Toronto Atmospheric Fund and was also a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Touchie’s research focuses on reducing the environmental impact of buildings while improving the occupant experience. She has developed novel building performance assessment methods and integrated retrofit approaches that consider both energy efficiency and the quality of the indoor environment. Dr. Touchie is one of Canada’s leading authorities on multi-unit residential building performance, particularly in the social housing sector. Her interdisciplinary research program explores the interactions between occupant behaviour, the building enclosure and mechanical systems and how these three factors can be engineered to improve energy performance, indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort, health and wellbeing.

Dr. Touchie is one of Canada’s inaugural Clean 50 and has received numerous awards for teaching and research including the ASHRAE New Investigator Award, UofT’s Connaught New Researcher Award and the McCharles Prize for early career research distinction. She is also the co-founder and former President of the Building Science Specialist Board (BSSB) of Canada. She currently serves as a BSSB board member and as a voting member on ASHRAE Technical Committee 4.3 on Ventilation and Infiltration. She teaches courses in Building Science, HVAC Fundamentals and Building Performance Assessment.

My Research Website

https://hab.civmin.utoronto.ca/people/dr-marianne-touchie/

Education and Designations

PhD Civil Engineering (2014) University of Toronto
BASc Civil Engineering (2009) University of Toronto

Research Interests

Building science

Building energy use

Indoor environmental quality

Thermal comfort

Energy modelling

Building environmental monitoring

Building retrofits

Occupant behavior

Heat pump technology

Low-energy buildings

Publications

Journals

Lozinsky, C.H., Touchie, M.F., “Comparing air sealing techniques for suite compartmentalization in a multi-unit residential building: aerosolized sealant vs. conventional air sealing approaches,” submitted to Journal of Building Engineering, 71, (2023) 106528, doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106528. IF: 6.991

Lozinsky, C.H.,Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F., “In-situ performance of a pressurized corridor ventilation system: a long-term study in a high-rise multi-unit residential building” Journal of Building Engineering, 70(1), (2023) 106320. doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106320. IF: 6.991

Lozinsky, C.H., Touchie, M.F., “Quantifying suite-level airtightness in newly constructed multi-unit residential buildings using guarded suite-level air leakage testing,” Building and Environment,236, (2023) 110273. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110273. IF: 7.503

Siu, A., Touchie, M.F.,O’Brien, W., “Evaluating Thermal Resilience of Building Designs using Building Performance Simulation – A Review of Existing Practices,” Building and Environment, 234, (2023) 110124. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110124. IF: 7.503

Andargie, M.Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W., Müller-Trapet, M. “A field study of the relationship between sound insulation and acoustic comfort in multi-unit residences,” accepted in Applied Acoustics, 206, (2023), 109291. doi: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2023.109291. IF: 3.495

Berquist, J., Cassidy, N.,Touchie, M.F.,O’Brien, W., Fine, J. “High-rise residential building ventilation in cold climates: A review of ventilation system types and their impact on in-situ building performance,” Indoor Air (2022) 32(11) doi:10.1111/ina.13158. IF: 7.141

Morgan, G. T., Coleman, S.,Robinson, J. B., Touchie, M. F.,Poland, B., Jakubiec, A., Macdonald, S., Lach, N., & Cao, Y. “Wellbeing as an emergent property of social practice”. Buildings and Cities, (2022) 3(1), pp. 756–771. doi:10.5334/bc.262. IF: 3.200

Lach, N., McDonald, S., Coleman, S., Touchie, M.F., Robinson, J., Morgan, G., Poland, B., Jakubiec, A.“Community Wellbeing in the Built Environment: Towards a Relational Building Assessment,” Cities and Health. (2022) 6(6), pp.1193-1211, doi:10.1080/23748834.2022.2097827. IF: 1.558

Dong, B., Liu, Y., Mu, W., Jiang, Z., Pandey, P., Hong, T., Olesen, B., Lawrence, T., O'Neill, Z., Andrews, C., Azar, E., Bandurski, K., Bardhan, R., Bavaresco, M., Berger, C., Burry, J., Carlucci, S., Chvatal, K., De Simone, M., Erba, S., Gao, N., Graham, L., Grassi, C., Jain, R., Kumar, S., Kjærgaard, M., Korsavi, S., Langevin, J., Li, Z., Lipczynska, A., Mahdavi, A., Malik, A., Marschall, M., Nagy, Z., Neves, L., O'Brien, L., Pagliano, L., Pan, S., Park, J., Pigliautile, I., Piselli, C., Pisello, AL., Rafsanjani, H., Rupp, R., Salim, R., Schiavon, S., Schwee, J., Sonta, A., Touchie, M.F.,Wagner, A., Walsh, S., Wang, Z., Webber, D., Yan, D., Zangheri, P., Zhang, J., Zhou, X., Zhou, X. “A Global Building Occupant Behavior Database,” Scientific Data. (2022) 9:369 | doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01475-3. IF: 11.212

Fine, J.P., Zhang, S., Li, Y., Touchie, M.F. “Analysis of Solar Chimney Ventilation Systems in High-Rise Residential Buildings Using Parallel Flow Networks,” Building and Environment. (2022), 109096. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109096. IF: 7.503

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F. “Load shifting and energy conservation using smart thermostats in contemporary high-rise residential buildings: Estimation of runtime changes using field data,” Energy and Buildings, 255, (2022) 111644. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111644, IF: 6.175

Luong, D., Richman, R., Touchie, M.F. “Towards Window State Detection Using Image Processing in Residential and Office Buildings Facades,” Building and Environment, 207(B), (2021) 108486. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108486, IF: 7.503

Fine, J., Touchie, M.F. “Evaluating ventilation system retrofits for high-rise residential buildings using a CONTAM model,” Building and Environment, 205 (2021) 108292. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108292, IF: 7.503

Pisello, A.L., Pigliautile, I., Andargie, M., Berger, C., Bluyssen, P, Carlucci, S., Chinazzo, G., Deme, Z., Dong, B., Favero, M., Ghahramani, A., Havenith, G., Heydarian, A., Kong, M., Licina, D., Liu, Y., Mahdavi, A., Navarro, A.L., Nocente, A., Kastner, D., Schweiker, M., Touchie, M., Vellei, M., Vittori, M., Wagner, A., Shen, W., Wang, A. “Test rooms to study human comfort in buildings: a review of controlled experiments and facilities.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 149 (2021) 111359. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111359, IF: 14.916

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F.“Smart Choice or Flawed Approach? An Exploration of Connected Thermostat Data Fidelity and use in Data-Driven Modelling in High-Rise Residential Buildings” Journal of Building Performance Simulation, (2021), doi: 10.1080/19401493.2021.1927189, IF: 3.366

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F. “Perceptions of thermal conditions in contemporary high-rise residential buildings under different temperature control strategies" Science Technology and the Built Environment. (2021). doi: 10.1080/23744731.2021.1929465, IF: 1.356

Stopps, H., Thorneycroft, C., Touchie, M.F., Zimmerman, N., Hamilton, I., Kesik, T. “High-Rise Residential Building Makeovers: Improving renovation quality in the United Kingdom and Canada through systemic analysis” Energy Research & Social Science, 77 (2021) 102085. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2021.102085, IF: 6.992

Vakalis, D., Diaz Lozano Patino, E., Opher, T., Touchie, M.F., Burrows, K., MacLean, H.L., Siegel, J.A. “Quantifying thermal comfort and carbon savings from energy-retrofits in social housing” Energy and Buildings, 241 (2021) 110950. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110950, IF: 6.175

Mahdavi, A., Berger, C., Amin, H., Ampatzi, E., Korsholm Andersen, R., Azar, E., Barthelmes, V.M., Favero, M., Hahn, J., Khovalyg, D., Knudsen, H.N., Navarro, A.L., Roetzel, A., Sangogboye, F.C., Schweiker, M., Taheri, M., Teli, D., Touchie, M.F., Verbruggen, S. “The role of occupants in buildings' energy performance gap: Myth or reality?,” Sustainability, 13(6), (2021) 3146. doi: 10.3390/su13063146, IF: 3.473

Andargie, M., Touchie, M.F.,O’Brien, W. “Case study: A survey of perceived noise in Canadian multi-unit residential buildings to study long-term implications for widespread teleworking” Building Acoustics, Feb 2021 pp.1351010. doi: 10.1177/1351010X21993742, IF: 0.310

Lozinsky, C.,Touchie, M.F. “Suite-level air tightness and compartmentalization in multi-unit residential buildings: How do we achieve our intended goals?” Building and Environment, 192 (2021) pp.107600. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107600, IF: 7.503

Fine, J., Lozinsky, C.,Touchie, M.F. “Development of the Selective Pressure Neutralization Method - An Air Tightness Test Method for Exterior Pressure Boundary Characterization in High-Rise Residential Buildings,” Energy and Buildings, 240 (2021) pp.110605. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110905, IF: 6.175

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F. “Residential smart thermostat use: An exploration of thermostat programming, environmental attitudes, and the influence of smart controls on energy,” Energy and Buildings, 238, (2021) 110834. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110834, IF: 6.175

Zimmermann, N., Pluchinotta, I., Salvia, G., Touchie, M.F., Stopps, H., Hamilton, I., Kesik, T, Dianati, K., Chen, T. “Moving online: Reflections from conducting system dynamics workshops in virtual settings” System Dynamics Review, (2020) doi: 10.1002/sdr.1667, IF: 1.38

Stopps, H., Huchuk, B., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W. “Is anyone home? A critical review of occupant-centric smart HVAC controls implementations in residential buildings” Building and Environment, 187 (2020) pp.107369. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107369, IF: 7.503

Andargie, M., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W. “A Survey of Factors That Impact Noise Exposure And Acoustic Comfort in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings” Canadian Acoustics, 48(3) (2020) pp. 25-41, IF: 0.154

Lozinsky, C., Touchie, M.F. “Inter-zonal airflow in multi-unit residential buildings: A review of the magnitude and interaction of driving forces, measurement techniques and magnitudes and its impact on building performance,” Indoor Air, 00 (2020) pp.1-26. doi: 10.1111/ina.12712, IF: 7.141

Zhang, S. Fine, J.P., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W. “A simulation framework for predicting occupant thermal sensation in perimeter zones of buildings considering direct solar radiation and ankle draft” Building and Environment, 183 (2020) pp.107096. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107096, IF: 7.503

Fine, J.P., Gray, J., Tian, X., Touchie, M.F. “An investigation of alternative methods for determining envelope airtightness from suite-based testing in multi-unit residential buildings,” Energy and Buildings, 214 (2020) pp.109845. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.109845, IF: 6.175

Fine, J., Touchie, M.F. “A grouped control strategy for the retrofit of post-war multi-unit residential building hydronic space heating systems,” Energy and Buildings, 208 (2020) pp.109604. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109604, IF: 6.175

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F. “Managing thermal comfort in contemporary high-rise residential buildings: Using smart thermostats and surveys to identify energy efficiency and comfort opportunities,” Building and Environment, 173 (2020) pp.106748. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106748, IF: 7.503

Andargie, M.S., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W. “A review of factors affecting occupant comfort in multi unit residential buildings,” Building and Environment, 160 (2019) pp.106182. doi:1016/j.buildenv.2019.106182

Carlsson, M., Touchie, M.F., Richman, R.C. “Assessing the impact of a compartmentalization and ventilation system retrofit strategy on energy use in high-rise residential buildings,” Energy and Buildings, 199 (2019) pp.20-28. doi:1016/j.enbuild.2019.06.035

Vera Zambrano, M., Dutta, B., Mercer, D., Touchie, M.F., MacLean, H.L. “Assessment of moisture content measurement methods of dried food products in small-scale operations in developing countries: A review,” Trends in Food Science & Technology, 88 (2019) pp.484-496. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2019.04.006

Vakalis, D., Touchie, M., Tzekova, E., H.L. MacLean, Siegel, J.A. “Indoor environmental quality perceptions of social housing residents” Building and Environment, 150 (2019) pp.135-143. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.12.062

Coleman, S., Touchie, M.F., Robinson, J.B., Peters, T. “Rethinking Performance Gaps: A Regenerative Sustainability Approach to Built Environment Performance Assessment,” Sustainability, 10(12) (2018) 4829 doi:10.3390/su10124829

Touchie, M.F., Siegel, J.A. “Residential HVAC Runtime from Smart Thermostats: Characterization, Comparison and Impacts,” Indoor Air, 28(6) (2018) pp. 905-915. doi:10.1111/ina.12496

Diaz Lozano, E., Vakalis, D., Touchie, M.F., Tzekova, E., Siegel, J.A. “Thermal comfort in multi-unit social housing buildings,” Building and Environment, 144 (2018) pp. 230-237. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.08.024

Lozinsky, C., Touchie, M.F. “Improving energy model calibration of multi-unit residential buildings through component air infiltration testing,” Building and Environment 134 (2018) pp. 218-229 doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.02.040

Ismailos, C., Touchie, M.F. “Achieving a low carbon housing stock: An analysis of low-rise residential carbon reduction measures for new construction in Ontario,” Building and Environment 126 (2017) pp. 176-183. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.09.034

Carlsson, M.R., Touchie, M.F., Richman, R. "A Compartmentalization & Ventilation System Retrofit Strategy for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Cold Climates," Energy Procedia 132 (2017) pp. 867-872. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.682

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D. “Evaluating a proposed retrofit measure for a multi-unit residential building which uses an air-source heat pump operating in an enclosed balcony space,” Energy and Buildings 85 (2014) pp. 107-114. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.08.048

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D. “Using Suite Energy-Use and Interior Condition Data to Improve Energy Modeling of a 1960’s Multi-Unit Residential Building,” Energy and Buildings 80 (2014) pp. 184-194. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.05.014

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D. “Testing and Simulation of a Low-Temperature Air-Source Heat Pump in a Thermal Buffer Zone,” Energy and Buildings 75 (2014) pp. 146-159. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.02.015

Di Placido, A.M., Pressnail, K.D., Touchie, M.F. “Exceeding the Ontario Building Code for low-rise residential buildings: Economic and environmental implications,” Building and Environment 77 (2014) pp. 40-49. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.03.015

Touchie, M.F., Binkley, C, Pressnail, K.D. “Correlating Energy Consumption with Multi-Unit Residential Building Characteristics in the City of Toronto,” Energy and Buildings 66 (2013) pp.648-656. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.068

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D., Beheshti, A. and Tzekova, E. “A Promise to Future Generations,” Engineering Leadership Review, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 7-13. May, 2010.

Conference Papers

Berquist, J., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W. “Modelling of heat and energy recovery ventilators in cold climates using EnergyPlus and TRNSYS” in the ASHRAE and SCANVAC HVAC Cold Climate Conference 2023, Anchorage, AK, March 6-8, 2023.

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F. “Cooling in high-rise residential buildings: Chiller plant performance and forecasted energy use in a changing climate” in the 2022 Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, Toronto, ON, October 27-28, 2022.

Eakin, K., Ropp, G., Day, K., Touchie, M.F.“A utility-driven approach to investigating the energy performance impact of post-war multi-unit residential building retrofits” in the 2022 Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, Toronto, ON, October 27-28, 2022.

Singh, K., Dmytrenko, N., Touchie, M.F.“A comparison of simulation tools used to assess Passive House multi-family building performance” in the 2022 Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, Toronto, ON, October 27-28, 2022.

Chum, S., Touchie, M.F.“Assessing the feasibility of absolute pressure sensor use for monitoring air pressure differential in buildings” in the 2022 Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, Toronto, ON, October 27-28, 2022.

Deng, Y., Lee, S., Touchie, M.F. “Discovering Potential Driving Factors of Smart Thermostat Hold Behaviours Using a Mixture of Logistic Regression Models and Bayesian Inference” in the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Toronto, ON, June 25-29, 2022.

Fine, J.P., Lozinsky, C.H., Touchie, M.F. “Reducing Indirect Inter-Suite Air Flow in High-Rise Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: A Parametric Study Using a CONTAM Model” in the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Toronto, ON, June 25-29, 2022.

Andargie, M.S., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W. “Subjective and objective evaluation of impact and airborne sound insulation of multi-unit residential buildings” in the Internoise 2021 Conference, Washington, D.C., August 1-5, 2021.

Sultana, N., Rico Thirion, M.A., Andargie, M.S., Touchie, M.F. “Acoustic impact on work and study spaces caused by multi-functional use of an atrium in an educational building” in 2021 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ., Jun 26-30, 2021.

Das, R., de Vos, E., Humble, R., Richman, R., Touchie, M. “Identifying sustainability synergies in current Canadian community housing literature” in the Canadian Sociological Association Conference at Congress 2021, University of Alberta, AB., June 3, 2021.

Liu, J.Z., Li, C, Touchie, M.F. “Passive Strategies to improve multi-unit residential buildings thermal comfort resilience in future climate scenarios,” in CAE Roadmap to Resilient Ultra-Low Energy Built Environment with Deep Integration of Renewables in 2050, Montreal Symposium, Montreal, QC, 16 October 2020.

Tian, X., Fine, J.P., Touchie, M.F. “Analysis of alternative ventilation strategies for multi-family buildings using CONTAM simulation software,” in 12^thNordic Symposium on Building Physics Proceedings, Tallin, Estonia, 7-9 September 2020.

Fine, J.P., Touchie, M.F. “A Novel Approach to Modeling Air Flow Through Operable Windows in High-Rise Multi-Unit Residential Buildings using EnergyPlus” in 2020 Building Performance Analysis Conference and SimBuild, Chicago, IL, August 12-14, 2020.

Fine, J.P., Touchie, M.F. “Ventilation and Indoor Environmental Quality Perceptions in a Post War MURB,” in ASHRAE 2020 Winter Conference Proceedings, Orlando FL, 1-5 February 2020.

Zhang, S., Fine, J., Touchie, M.F., O’Brien, W.“A Novel Simulation Framework for Comfort-based Assessments of Window Designs,” in ASHRAE 2020 Winter Conference Proceedings, Orlando FL, 1-5 February 2020.

Tian, X., Fine, J., Touchie, M.F. “The Impact of Sweeps and Weather Striping on Suite Door Air Tightness,” in ASHRAE 2020 Winter Conference Proceedings, Orlando FL, 1-5 February 2020. [Awarded Best Paper]

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F. “Space Heating Boiler System Performance in Post-War High-Rise Multi-Family Buildings,” in ASHRAE 2020 Winter Conference Proceedings, Orlando FL, 1-5 February 2020.

Gray, J., Touchie, M.F., "The Impact of Adjacent Zone Pressure on Whole –Suite Airtightness Tests in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings," in Buildings XIV International Conference Proceedings, Clearwater FL, 9-12 December 2019.

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F., "Occupant Perceptions of Thermal Comfort in Contemporary Condominium Buildings," in Buildings XIV International Conference Proceedings, Clearwater FL, 9-12 December 2019.

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F., "Reduction of HVAC System runtime due to occupancy-controlled smart thermostats in contemporary multi-unit residential buildings suites," in IAQVEC 2019 Conference Proceedings, Bari, Italy, 5-7 September 2019.

Lozinsky, C., Touchie, M.F., "The Limitations of Multi-Zone Infiltration Algorithms in Whole Building Energy Simulation Engines," in eSim 2018 Building Simulation Conference Proceedings, pp.367-374, Montreal, Quebec, 9-10 May 2018.

Lozinsky, C., Touchie, M.F., "The Limitations of Multi-Zone Infiltration Algorithms in Whole Building Energy Simulation Engines," in eSim 2018 Building Simulation Conference Proceedings, pp.367-374, Montreal, Quebec, 9-10 May 2018.

Lozinsky, C., Touchie, M.F., "Improving the Characterization of Infiltration Parameters in Whole-Building Energy Models Using Component Infiltration Rate Testing," in eSim 2018 Building Simulation Conference Proceedings, pp.357-366, Montreal, Quebec, 9-10 May 2018.

Chang, C., Touchie, M.F., "Investigating Wintertime Thermal Comfort of Post-War Multi-Unit Residential Buildings using Surveys and In-suite Monitoring," in 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, CCBST, Vancouver, British Columbia, 6-8 November 2017.

Huang, W., Touchie, M.F., "Investigating Wind Catchers and Solar Chimneys to improve Thermal Comfort for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings in India," in 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, CCBST, Vancouver, British Columbia, 6-8 November 2017.

Stopps, H., Touchie, M.F., "Characterization of Space Heating Boiler Operation in Post-War Multi-Unit Residential Buildings," in 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, CCBST, Vancouver, British Columbia, 6-8 November 2017.

Carlsson, M.R., Touchie, M.F., Richman, R.C., "A Compartmentalization and Ventilation Retrofit Strategy for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Cold Climates," in 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, CCBST, Vancouver, British Columbia, 6-8 November 2017.

Carlsson, M.R., Touchie, M.F., Richman, R.C., "A Compartmentalization & Ventilation System Retrofit Strategy for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Cold Climates," in 11th Nordic Symposium on Building Physics Proceedings, pp.867-872, NSB2017, Trondheim, Norway, 11-14 June 2017.

Touchie, M.F., Tzekova, E.S., Siegel, J.A., Purcell, B., Morier, J. “Evaluating Summertime Overheating in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings using Surveys and In-Suite Monitoring," accepted for 13th international conference on Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XIII Proceedings, pp. 135-151, Clearwater, Florida, December 5–8, 2016.

Touchie, M.F., Siegel, J.A. “Operation of Residential HVAC Systems: Implications for Healthy Buildings," in Proc. 4th Healthy Buildings 2015 Conference, pp.5-5, Boulder, CO, 2015.

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D. “Detailed Monitoring and Energy Model Development of an Existing Multi-Unit Residential Building in Toronto, Canada," in Proc. 4th Building Enclosure Science and Technology (BEST4) Conference, Kansas City, MO, 2015.

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D., Tzekova, E.S. “Energy Retrofitting Toronto Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Air-Source Heat Pumps Operating in Enclosed Balconies," in Proc. 14th Canadian Conf. on Building Science and Technology, pp.25-36, Toronto, ON, 2014.

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D., Tzekova, E.S. “Assessing Potential Energy Retrofits of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings in the Greater Toronto Area," in Proc. 14th Canadian Conf. on Building Science and Technology, Toronto, ON, 2014.

Tzekova, E.S., Pressnail, K.D., Touchie, M.F., Richman, R.C., DiPlacido, A.M., Rumeo, M.E. “Improving the Energy Performance of an Historic Single-Family Home: The Gemini House," in Proc. 14th Canadian Conf. on Building Science and Technology, pp.499-509, Toronto, ON, 2014.

Parker, C.A., Pressnail, K.D., Touchie, M.F., DeRose, D., Dedesko, S. “A Study of Cross Contamination of In-Suite Ventilation Systems used in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings," in Proc. 14th Canadian Conf. on Building Science and Technology, Toronto, ON, 2014.

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D., and Tzekova, E. “Energy Savings by Retrofitting Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Case Studies," in Proc. 3rd Building Enclosure Science and Technology (BEST3) Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2012, paper 105.

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D., Richman, R.C. and Dixon, E. “An Innovative Approach to Retrofitting Multi-Unit Residential Buildings Using a Nested Thermal Envelope Design," in Proc. 9th Nordic Symp. on Building Physics, Tampere, Finland, 2011, pp. 289-296.

Touchie, M.F., Pressnail, K.D., Dixon, E. and Richman, R.C. “Energy Retrofitting an Historic 1870’s Solid Masonry Home Using Nested Thermal Envelope Design," in Proc. 13th Canadian Conf. on Building Science and Technology, Winnipeg, MB, 2011.

Tzekova, E.S., Pressnail, K.D., Touchie, M.F.and Pearson, N. “Evaluating Wetting and Drying of a Vented Air Space in a Spray-Foam Insulated Solid Masonry Historic Building,” in Proc. Heritage 2012: 3rd International Conference on Heritage and Sustainable Development, Porto, Portugal, 2012.

Dixon, E., Richman, R., Pressnail, K.D. and Touchie, M.F.“NTEDTM: Applicability of an Innovative Low-Energy Home Design to Northern Climates,” in Proc. 13th Canadian Conf. on Building Science and Technology, Winnipeg, MB, 2011.

Dixon, E., Richman, R., Pressnail, K.D. and Touchie, M.F.“NTEDTM: An Innovative Design Using Nested Thermal Envelopes to Achieve Significant Reductions in Energy Use,” in Proc. Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XI International Conference, Clearwater Beach, FL, 2010.

Kennedy, C., Byer, P., Pressnail, K.D., Touchie, M.F., Bentz, E., Roorda, M. and Vanderburg, W. “Enhancing the Sustainability Content of a Civil Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum,” in Proc. CDEN/C2E2 2009 Conference, Hamilton, ON, 2009.

Teaching

Course Code	Title & Description	Session	Day(s)
CIV375H	Building Science Building Science The fundamentals of the science of heat transfer, moisture diffusion, and air movement are presented. Using these fundamentals, the principles of more sustainable building enclosure design, including the design of walls and roofs are examined. Selected case studies together with laboratory investigations are used to illustrate how the required indoor temperature and moisture conditions can be maintained using more durable and more sustainable designs. View full course description in the Engineering Undergrad Academic Calendar.	Fall	Scheduled by the Office of the Faculty Registrar.
CIV575H	Studies In Building Science	Fall 2022	Scheduled by the Office of the Faculty Registrar.
MIE507H	HVAC Fundamentals HVAC Fundamentals Introduction to the fundamentals of HVAC system operation and the relationship between these systems, building occupants and the building envelope. Fundamentals of psychrometrics, heat transfer and refrigeration; determination of heating and cooling loads driven by occupant requirements and the building envelope; heating and cooling equipment types and HVAC system configurations; controls and maintenance issues that influence performance; evaluation of various HVAC systems with respect to energy and indoor environmental quality performance. More Info		Scheduled by the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

News Mentions

Two new faculty members join Civil and, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Collaboration is the key to success and the driving factor behind the hiring of two new professors that are cross-appointed with the Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Professors Marianne Touchie (CivE, MIE) and Fae Azhari (MIE, CivE) joined the Faculty at the beginning of July. Professor Touchie completed a BASc and PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on improving the energy performance and indoor environmental quality of existing buildings to make them more comfortable, healthy and sustainable through comprehensive retrofits. Professor Azhari holds degrees in Civil Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and University of British Columbia, Industrial Engineering from UC Berkeley, and Structural Engineering and Mechanics from UC Davis. She specializes in structural health monitoring (SHM) of engineering systems. U of T Engineering spoke with the new professors to find out more about their research and what they’re looking forward to at U of T: Fae Azhari Could you explain the focus of your research? My work focuses on SHM of engineering systems. Similar to the way a doctor would point out when an organ is malfunctioning in a patient’s body during regular check-ups, SHM is able to diagnose and locate any anomalies in an engineering system. Since this diagnosis happens at a very early stage, the remedial procedure will usually be timely and cost effective. My goal is to address some of the gaps in the succession of tasks from sensor development to implementation and decision making. Why did you choose U of T? Long before pursuing academia, I visited Toronto and the campus here. The historical feel and the intellectual vibe stayed in my mind. I’m so happy to be working here now. My research field is multidisciplinary, and having access to the many great resources, facilities, colleagues and mentors at U of T will be extremely valuable in advancing my research and career. What are you most looking forward to in your new position? I like the sense of collegiality at U of T and look forward to effective collaborations with other researchers. As a new professor, what one piece of advice would you give to new students? At university you are often your own teacher so expect to be treated that way. Try to be proactive and do not be afraid to ask questions. What do you hope to accomplish in your new position/during your time at U of T Engineering? I hope to one day truly ‘profess’ my subject.; to understand the old and new bodies of knowledge in such a way that I can properly judge their significance and place in the grand scheme of things. Marianne Touchie Could you explain the focus of your research? My research focuses on the question of how do we improve the quality of our indoor environment as we strive for greater energy efficiency? Making buildings more comfortable and healthy often come at an energy cost. Why did you choose U of T? U of T is my alma mater so I am well aware of the significance and impact of the research done here and I am looking forward to collaborating with so many talented colleagues and students in both the lab and the classroom. What are you most looking forward to in your new position? With a cross appointment between Civil Engineering and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, I’m excited to bring together students from across disciplines. As a new professor, what one piece of advice would you give to new students? Allow yourself to wrestle with a problem before asking for help. It is effortless to use Google or message someone to find an answer. But this process doesn’t improve your own ability to problem solve, think critically or take your own position on an issue. During your time at U of T you will gain plenty of technical knowledge but transferable skills like problem solving will be of the most valuable after graduation. What do you hope to accomplish in your new position/during your time at U of T Engineering? Within Civil Engineering, I would like to continue growing the Canadian Centre for Building Excellence (CCBE) with Professors Kim Pressnail and Jeffrey Siegel into a world-renowned research centre for healthy, energy efficient buildings. I would also like to create stronger links through multidisciplinary design courses which will give students an opportunity to tackle today’s important problems with colleagues from a variety of technical backgrounds.

Two new faculty are cross appointed with CivE and MIE

Collaboration is the key to success and the driving factor behind the hiring of two new professors that are cross-appointed with the Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Professors Marianne Touchie (CivE, MIE) and Fae Azhari (MIE, CivE) joined the Faculty at the beginning of July. Professor Touchie completed a BASc and […]

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Contact

Marianne Touchie
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering
University of Toronto
35 St. George St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5S 1A4

Office: GB314B

Tel: 416-978-5919
Fax: 416-978-6813

marianne.touchie@utoronto.ca

beie.mie.utoronto.ca