
MEng (1st class Hons), PhD, CPEng (Italy)
Francesco is an Associate Professor in High Performance Architecture at the Faculty of Built Environment of the University of New South Wales. Prior to joining UNSW BE he held appointments at The University of Sydney, in the Architectural Science discipline, and at Politecnico di Bari (Italy), in the Architectural Engineering program. His main research expertise is in facade engineering and design. In recent years his research has focused on the development of technologies and systems for kinetic facades. In particular, Francesco aims to explore the use of smart materials (shape memory alloys, phase-change materials, and chromogenic materials) in order to create self-adaptive building components. Reduction of building energy demand and increase of indoor comfort are the final goals.
Francesco is currently the Australian representative in the European COST Action on “Adaptive Facades Network” and has been involved as Chief Investigator in several research projects in Australia and overseas. He is currently CI of the ARC-funded Training Centre for Advanced Manufacturing of Prefabricated Housing.
2015-2019 CI Mendis, CI Ngo, CI Rasmussen, CI Ranzi, CI Aitchinson, CI Newman, CI Hao, CI Zhao, CI Manzie, CI Qiao, CI Aye, CI Duffield, CI Singh, CI Bai, CI Crawford, CI Noguchi, CI Fiorito, PI Alfano, PI Colquhoun, PI Liaskos, PI Crough, PI Pidcock, PI Miletic, PI Perren, PI Kirk, PI Zendler. Proposal for IC150100023: ARC Training Centre for Advanced Manufacturing of Prefabricated Housing. ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre.
2014-2016 CI K. Rasmussen, CI G. Ranzi, CI D. Dias da Costa, CI A. Abbas, CI M. Valix, CI F. Fiorito, CI C. Logan. Research contract with the Sydney Opera House Trust on “Sydney Opera House Concrete Conservation Strategy Project".
2014-2015 CI G. Ranzi, PI F. Fiorito. University of Sydney Commercial Development & Industry Partnership (CDIP) fund: Prototyping a self-adaptive shading device activated by smart materials actuators.
2014-2015 CI F. Fiorito, PI G. Masera, PI M. Overend. University of Sydney International Program Development Fund (IPDF): International Network for High Performance Smart Kinetic Facades.
2013-2015 CI G. Ranzi, PI F. Fiorito, PI R. de Dear. Civil Engineering Development Scheme (CERDS): smart materials for dynamically activated building components: an integrated structural and indoor comfort based approach.
2011-2012 CI Di Gregorio, CI Fiorito. BMG - biomimetic microwind generator, innovative device for wind microgeneration in urban areas. Apulia Regional Government Research Grant (Italy), the funding programme "Principi Attivi - Giovani idee per una Puglia migliore".
Francesco's current research activities are oriented to:
Member of the Chartered Institute of Engineers of the province of Bari (IT) since 2002. Membership number 6530, section A (equivalent to Certified Professional Engineer), sectors: Civil and Environmental, Industrial, Information Technologies
Member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) since 2004.
Member of Ar.Tec. (Italian Architectural Engineering scientific association)
Chartered Professional Engineer (Italy), with expertise in facade and structural engineering, design and site management of civil and industrial buildings, design and site management of refurbishment and restoration interventions of existing and historic buildings, design and site management of renewable energy plants, building technologies, solar integration in building design.
Selection of completed works:
My Teaching
ARCH1331 Architectural Fabrication (Bachelor of Architectural Studies)
ARCH7809 Architectural Environment and Building Services (Master of Architecture)
ARCH7213 High Performance Building Systems (Master of Architecture)