My research interests include three broad areas that intersect and overlap in several ways: smart passive solar design, affordable housing and the architectural design process. Half of all greenhouse gas emissions of anthropogenic origin come from energy use in buildings. The reduction of energy consumption in buildings is usually addressed through efficiency measures and implementation of renewable energy strategies. But this is not enough. My research lies in the area between these two: smart passive solar systems are at the intersection of art and science, and provide improved performance by incorporating interactive controllers that respond to outdoor conditions in real time ultimately permitting buildings to become living breathing, entities that could re-configure themselves according to daily and seasonal cycles. I am also interested in the integration of these systems in low cost buildings and in implementing them in developed and less developed countries, where families could incorporate these inexpensive low technology local-built or even self-built systems in their buildings. Finally, I am interested in developing methods, techniques, and protocols that could improve the architectural design process, especially in the development of sustainable, low carbon buildings