ROBERT FERGUSON
I'm a dual-degree MARCLA student studying architecture and landscape architecture at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. I currently hold a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, and a MARCLA Major Entrance Award.
I have 3+ years professional experience as a computational designer with IBI/Arcadis, where I developed advanced parametric models for equitable, sustainable urban systems.
While at school, I work as a graduate teaching and research assistant. Ongoing projects include an AI-integrated site-analysis teaching tool, and a study of spatial justice in urban parks.
I am currently investigating resource circularity and building-integrated agriculture as part of an applied research project led by Perkins&Will.
RESUME/CV
robertiainferguson@gmail.com
604-213-9233 BEACHCOMB HOUSE
FALL 2023
ARCH 513: Environmental Systems and Controls
INSTRUCTOR: Adam Rysanek
COLLABORATORS: Heidi Evans, Eli Young, Pooya Katani
Inspired by the historic use of eelgrass (Zostera marina) as an insulator in Northern Europe and North America, Beachcomb House tests the insulating performance of this novel material.
Hand-foraged and dried, eelgrass was packed into double-skin floor, wall, and ceiling assemblies with the R-values required to maintain comfortable temperatures (given a 5 Watt heat source). Climate Studio and Climate Consultant were used to simulate interior daylighting, and to predict outdoor temperatures on test day.
On December 7th, 2023, with ambient outdoor temperatures of 7 C, and a starting interior temperature of 20 C, Beachcomb House maintained temperature for a few hours before gradually cooling to a plateau of 12 C. These results likely reflect an over-estimate of effective eelgrass R-values, poorly-optimized eelgrass preparation (i.e., shredding, packing), and possible air leakage from the assembly.