Salwa Salem Sughaier Albarssi

I have a PhD in Architecture from the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University. My thesis focuses on improving the energy efficiency of existing residential systems to meet the net zero energy building target by a hybrid retrofit approach. This includes the implementation of different energy retrofit measures and solar power systems.

During my PhD study I have been awarded the status of Associate Fellowship (AFHEA) of the HEA, recognised as Cardiff University Education Associate Fellow in 2022. I worked as a teaching assistant (TA) in MSc Sustainable Mega Buildings Design for the academic year 2021/2022 and 2023/ 2024. Then, I worked as a graduate tutor in MSc Environmental Design of Buildings for the academic year 2024/2025. My role was delivering training sessions in building modelling, simulation, and optimisation using energy simulation software.

From December 2011 to 2020 I worked as a lecturer in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Benghazi-Libya. My role involved teaching different modules including environmental control in architecture and urban designs as well as module leader for third year and fourth year architectural design modules.
I obtained my MA in sustainable environmental design from Liverpool University in 2010. In 2004, I received my BSc degree in Architecture and urban planning from Benghazi University in Libya with an Excellent grade. Also, I have 15 years working experience as an architect in Elmadina Elarabya for Engineering consultancy between 2005 and 2020. During this period, I designed Plans for Housing areas and designed different residential building types such as apartment buildings and Detached houses.

Currently, I am interested in working in the construction industry, particularly in designing energy-efficient buildings and building energy retrofit using Building Energy Modelling (BEM). I am also interested in monitoring existing buildings using equipment to assess and improve their energy and thermal performance.

• Eshrar, Latif, Senior Lecturer, latife@cardiff.ac.uk, +44 (0)29 2087 0217, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff, Cardiff University
• Vicki, Stevenson, Reader at Welsh school of Architecture/ Course Leader: MSc Environmental Design of Buildings, StevensonV@cardiff.ac.uk, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff, Cardiff University
• Rabeia, Elfaitori, Architect, rabeia.elfaitori@uob.edu.ly
• Fathia, Gumma, Architect, Fathea.Gumma@uob.edu.ly

• Planning for Housing areas.
• Designing residential blocks
• Designing Villas

• Albarssi, S., Hou, S.S. and Latif, E., 2025. The state of the art of residential building energy retrofits in Libya and neighbouring Mediterranean countries: a comprehensive review. Energies, 18(1), p.183.
• Albarssi, S., Hou, S. S. and Latif, E. 2024. Thermally future-proofing existing Libyan housing stock with biobased insulation materials and passive measures: An empirical and numerical study using a digital twin. Buildings 14(1), p. 175.

• Researching and Writing a Literature Review in the Social Sciences: An Introduction
• What Should a Literature Review Do?
• Writing & Structuring an Effective Thesis
• PowerPoint: An Introduction to Creating Presentations, Microsoft
• PowerPoint: Enhancing Your Presentation, Microsoft
• Preparing and Presenting a Conference Paper (Humanities/Social Sciences)
• Academic writing for non-native speakers.

• Environmental control in architecture (Theoretical lectures)
• Architectural design studio (third and fourth year)
• Urban design (Design studio)

• Sustainable environmental design
• Building energy simulation
• Rehabilitation of historical buildings
• Architectural design
• Urban Planning.

• Passenger stations (airports- train stations- bus stations and marine passenger stations).
• Hotels.
• Residential projects.
• Shopping centers.
• Sports and entertainment facilities.
• Exhibitions and museums.
• Cultural centers.
• Educational buildings
• Administrative buildings.

• The second Libyan architectural day (2014, Benghazi)
• Rehabilitation of university of Benghazi (30,31 JULY 2016, Benghazi)

• Sustainable Development Conference-Benghazi-Libya(25-26-27November 2017)
• First scientific engineering conference -Benghazi-Libya (27-28 January2018)