Expertise & Research Interests

Circularity /adaptive reuse, Net-zero design, resilient urban developments, microclimate, building physics, Carbon assessment, UN SDGs, innovative pedagogies

 

Courses to Teach (24-25)

Architectural Design and Sustainability I & II
Introduction to Environmental Science
Building Environmental Assessment

Dr. THILAKARATNE, Ruffina

Professor

BSc (1st Hons.) & M.Sc (Architecture) (UoM)
M.Sc. (Environmental Management) (AIT)
 Ph.D. (HKU)

FRIBA
HKIA (Assoc.)
Associate RAIA
WELL AP
LEED AP
BEAM Pro
Certified Carbon Auditor (UK Energy Institute)

Ruffina is a RIBA qualified architect and an internationally qualified environmental professional. She possesses over 23yrs international experience in research & teaching and the practice. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Techer Award in 2019 and RIBA Fellow award in 2017 for her exceptional contribution to the education and the profession. Her recent co-authored publication on ‘Verticality, density and porosity equilibrium for yielding desirable microclimatic conditions’ received the Best Paper Award at the Architectural Science Association Conference in 2024.As the programme director for Master of Architecture programmes Ruffina has been instrumental in developing and implementing the programme. She is leading the MArch design studio and sustainability & technology domain. Ruffina has been a RIBA validation panel member and external examiner for several architecture schools. She was a visiting professor at the summer school at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. As the RIBA International Councillor and the RIBA Honours Committee member, she is driving initiatives in the region whilst advocating climate emergency and design excellence. She is an advisor to the International WELL Building Institute, a Faculty at the HKGBC, Executive committee member at the Australia & New Zealand Architectural Science Association and Advisory Board member for Journal of Architectural Science Review. In addition she also possesses extensive experience engaging in large scale development projects and environmental consulting.

Selected Publications:

Books & chapter

- Thilakaratne, R. and Chau, A (eds.) (2023). The UN SDGs – Hong Kong Architects in Action. ISBN 978-962-7732-47-1 https://www.hkia.net/en/e-Books/hkia_unsdgs/hkia_unsdgs.html. The Hong Kong Institute of Architects.
- Thilakaratne, R. (2022). Parameters for designing functional and quality pocket open spaces in high density cities. Urban Green Spaces. Ed. R.A. Castanho, ISBN 978-1-80355-157-9. IntechOpen Publishing, UK.

Refereed publications

- Thilakaratne, R. and Tse, J. (2024). Verticality, Density and Porosity Equilibrium for Yielding Desirable Microclimatic Conditions in F. Zhang, R. Yu, C. Bischeri, T. Liu, and M. Khoshbakht (eds.), Harmony in Architectural Science and Design: Sustaining the Future. Proceedings of the 57th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2024, pp. 1–10. ©2024, The Architectural Science Association and Griffith University, Australia. (Best Paper Award).
- Thilakaratne, R. and Liang, C. (2024). Shaping Resilient Urban Futures: Exploring Contemporary Urban Development Models for Megacities, UIA 2024 International Forum, Kuala Lumpur, 15-19 November 2024
- Thilakaratne, R. and Schnabel, M. (2023). Architectural Design Andragogy: Insights from Online Learning in M. Dewsbury, D. Tanton, Z Al-shamma, J. Tan (eds). Architectural Science and User Experience: Sustainability and Health: the nexus of carbon neutral architecture and well-being, 56th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2023, pp. 92-103, 29th November – 2nd December 2023, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia. The Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), ISBN 978-0-9923835-9-6.
- Thilakaratne R. (2019). Designing liveable urban open spaces in high density cities. Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 297:1. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/297/1/012049
- Thilakaratne R. (2019). Designing liveable urban open spaces in high density cities. Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 297, Conference 1.
- Thilakaratne R. (2019). Designing liveable urban open spaces in high density cities. Clean Planet, Happy People & Shared Prosperity. Emerging Concepts for Sustainable Built Environment. SBE19 Helsinki - Sustainable Built Environment Conference. 22-24 May 2019.
- Thilakaratne, R. (2018). Designing functional urban open spaces: through user comfort & spatial analysis approach. P. Rajagopalan (eds.), Engaging Architectural Science: Meeting the Challenges of Higher Density: 52nd International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 28- 30th November. © 2018, The Architectural Science Association and RMIT University, Australia.
- Thilakaratne, R., Chu, P. & Xiao, Y. (2017). Impacts from Building Geometries on Urban Wind Environments. Transforming Our Built Environment through Innovation and Integration: Putting Ideas into Action. World Sustainable Built Environment Conference, 5-7 June. Hong Kong.
- Thilakaratne, R., Chu, P. & Xiao, Y. (2016). Optimization of Hong Kong Residential Building Design Guidelines to Improve Urban Air Ventilation. J. Zuo, L. Daniels, V. Soebarto (eds.), Fifty years later: Revisiting the role of architectural science in design and practice: 50th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 8-10 Dec. ©2016, The Architectural Science Association and The University of Adelaide.
- Thilakaratne, R. & Schnabel, M. A. (2013). Will LEED Survive in Asia? The 47th International Architectural Science Association ASA (ANZAScA) Conference, Hong Kong. 13-16 Nov. 2013
- Thilakaratne, R. & Lew, V. (2011). Can LEED lead Asia: Global adaptability of LEED rating system? Science Direct, Vol. 21. pp. 1136-1144
- Yau, D. Thilakaratne, R. Jones, S. Harkins, J, & Wincey, D. (2009). Earthquake Resistant Schools for Sichuan. APSEC-EACEF 2009 Conference, Langkawi, Malaysia. 4-6 August.
- Thilakaratne, R. & Kvan, T. (2006). Competence-Based Assessment in Professional Education Validation. Quality in Higher Education Journal. Vol. 12:3, pp. 315-327.
- A. Amato, R. Thilakaratne, Jia. Y. (2005). The Use of Full-Size Construction Projects: An Example of Authentic Learning in Architectural Education. IADIS International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in Digital Age, CELDA 2005, pp. 246-252.
- A. Amato, R. Thilakaratne, J. Henri and S. Trinidad, (2004). "Technology Enhanced Construction Technology Teaching," in Proceedings. IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, Joensuu, 2004 pp. 510-514. doi: 10.1109/ICALT.2004.1357467.
- Henri, J., Frewer, R., Amato, A., Thilakaratne, R. & Trinidad, S. (2004). Changing practice: An exercise in curriculum development of innovative teaching in construction technology. In R. Atkinson, C. McBeath, D. Jonas-Dwyer & R. Phillips (Eds), Beyond the comfort zone: Proceedings of the 21st ASCILITE Conference (pp. 365-373). Perth, 5-8 December.
- Amato, A., Henri, J., Thilakaratne, R., & Trinidad, S. (2003). Process meets product: Innovative Teaching in Construction Technology (ITCT) at the University of Hong Kong. Scientific Journal of Applied Information Technology, Vol. 3(3). Pp 1-11.
- Kvan, T. & Thilakaratne, R. (2003). Models in the Design Conversation: Architecture vs. Engineering. AASA Design+ Research: Project Based Research in Architecture Conference in Melbourne Australia. 28-30 September. https://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/fb56.content.07776.pdf
- Kvan, T. & Thilakaratne, R. (2003). Role of Accreditation. Building the Link 2003 Conference: Integrating Teaching with Research and Practice in the Built Environment, Oxford Brooks University, Oxford, UK. 8-10 September
- Hui, D. & Thilakaratne, R. (2000). Knowledge-Based Design Studio. Research by Design Conference, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. November. 1-3. Pp. 306- 314. ISBN 90-407-2119-X