DB 4.362B, 501 W César E Chávez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA
Sodano@sentinelhive.org
School of Architecture and Planning
Biography
Michele is a cross-disciplinary scholar with a rich background that spans architectural design, mechanical engineering, statistics, and artificial intelligence. He currently advances his research as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas in San Antonio, where he’s part of MATRIX, the UTSA AI Consortium dedicated to Human Well-Being. Michele earned his PhD from the Singapore University of Technology and Design, focusing on Architecture and Sustainable Design, under the mentorship of Dr. Chee Beng Immanuel Koh. His academic journey also includes a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Building Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, setting a solid foundation for his multifaceted research endeavours.
Research Interests
Michele’s research is driven by a commitment to sustainable and efficient building design, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to enhance building performance. His interests are broad, encompassing integrated design approaches, performance optimization, and the rigorous testing and modeling of building systems. A significant aspect of his work involves the innovative use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to refine building design processes and optimization techniques.
Recently, Michele has concentrated on developing automated tools for the generation of design alternatives, aiming to elevate building performance from the initial design phases. He is intrigued by the application of structured data models, such as graph neural networks, to improve sustainable building systems’ efficiency. Michele is particularly drawn to the incorporation of adaptive components, renewable energy sources, HVAC system optimization, and intelligent energy management in smart buildings.With his forthcoming projects at MATRIX, Michele is set to explore Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the context of the built environment, focusing on smart homes and building management systems. His interest also extends to practical applications, utilizing sensor technology and microcontrollers, including Arduino and Raspberry Pi platforms, to create innovative prototyping setups for real-world testing.Michele is enthusiastic about contributing to the advancement of sustainable building technologies that not only push the boundaries of architectural and engineering practices but also offer tangible benefits to society at large.
Work Experience
Teaching Assistant, Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Architecture Environmental Sustainability (AES) – Singapore (Jan 2021 – Apr 2021)
- Instructor: Dr. Zheng Kai
- Daylight Autonomy (Ladybug Tools + Radiance)
- Wind (OpenFoam)
- Wind driven Rain (Ansys Fluent)
- Optimization of façade (Ladybug Tools + Radiance + Galapagos)
- Full Energy modelling (Ladybug Tools)
Workshop Instructor, DigitalFUTURES 2020, Discrete Sampling Workshop, Online (29 Jun 2020 – 3 Jul 2020)
- Workshop Leader: Ass. Prof. Dr. Immanuel Koh
- Use of 3-D Generative Adversarial Networks (3D-GANs) for the probabilistic sampling of discrete architecture (Python, PyTorch)
Teaching Assistant, Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Contested Territories (Design Option Studio 3), Singapore/Medan (Sumatra), Indonesia (Jan 2019 – Apr 2019)
- Instructors: Ass. Prof. Felix Raspall (SUTD), Dr. Sebastian Linsin (FCL)
- Sponsoring NGOs: PanEco (Switzerland), Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL – Indonesia)
- Assist student to develop a design for a ‘forest school’ using bamboo structures at the ‘Orangutan Haven’ Sanctuary (Medan, Sumatra – Indonesia)
R&D Project Manager, Saimex S.r.l., Seregno, Italy (Sep 2018 – Dec 2018)
- Conducted research and developed innovative solutions for the design and development of a new facade cladding system in GFRP.
- Analysed documentation on FEM simulations to assess structural integrity and performance of the product.
- Controlled documentation related to existing products and systems, ensuring compliance with technical specifications and standards.
Academic Tutor, Building, Construction and Architecture Department, Politecnico di Milano, Technical architecture and technological services, Milan, Italy (Sep 2017 – Dec 2017)
- Instructor: Ass. Prof. Enrico Sergio Mazzucchelli
- Provide tutoring services to students regarding Technological Services for a residential building, such as sizing and layout of the sanitary water system, HVAC system (underfloor heating and AHU), and electrical system.
Technical Supervisor/Site-Coordinator, O.B Technical Service, Gulu, Uganda (Nov 2016 – Feb 2017)
- Conducted site surveys and created 3D as-built models for buildings that deviated from the original plans during the construction phase. Identified areas for improvement and modified ongoing projects on construction sites in the northern part of Uganda.
- Coordinated and supervised the construction works for a hotel and restaurant project in Gulu, Uganda. Monitored the progress of the construction works to identify and resolve any issues that arose.
- Designed photovoltaic, solar heating, and hydraulic systems, utilizing technical expertise to provide optimized solutions for the specific context.
Education
Ph.D. in Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore (Jan 2019 – Feb 2024)
- Thesis Title: Advancing Energy-Efficient Building Design Through Deep Learning Surrogate Models
- Faculty Advisor: Ass. Prof. Dr. Immanuel Koh
- Members of the Examination Committee: Prof. Dr. Sam Conrad Joyce, Dr. Zheng Kai, Prof. Dr. Jianxi Luo
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): 4.67/5 – Honours with Higher Distinction
Master of Science in Building Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy (Oct 2014 – Dec 2017)
- Thesis Title: “Feasibility Study of Renewable Air-Conditioning for Lacor Hospital Operating Theatres”
- Faculty Advisor: Prof. Dr. Mario Motta
- Co-Advisors: Dr. Lorenzo Pistocchini, Dr. Rossano Scoccia, Dr. Fazel Khayatian
- Final Assessment: 110/110
Bachelor of Science in Building Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy (Sep 2009 – Sep 2014)
- Thesis Title: “Energy Optimization of the Building Envelope of a Particular Case Study through the Analysis and Comparison of Three Different Technological Solutions of Opaque Wall”
- Faculty Advisor: Prof. Dr. Tiziana Poli
- Final Assessment: 94/110
Awards and Honors
- President Graduate Fellowship CIS – PhD Scholarship in computing and information science (Jan 2019 – Jan 2024)
- “Tesi all’estero” Scholarship A.Y. 2015/16 at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor – Gulu, Uganda (Mar 2016 – Jun 2016).