Dr Karam Al-Obaidi BSAE, MSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Architecture
Summary
I am an architectural engineer and an international researcher in Sustainable Design and Environmental Architecture.
I joined Sheffield Hallam University in September 2018 as a Senior Lecturer in Architecture. I teach on the Architecture and Architectural Technology courses.
My research interests include Environmental and Biomimetic Architecture, Sustainable Building Technology, Building Performance, Energy Modelling and Simulation Tools.
About
I received my BSc Architectural Engineering in 2008, MSc Building Technology in 2011, and PhD Sustainable Architecture in 2015. Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam University, I worked and taught at top Asian universities in Malaysia. I was a Senior Lecturer and Head of Research Unit (Design and Sustainable Architecture) at University of Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I have led and participated in funded research projects with over £70,000. I have published widely on tropical architecture, many of my research articles were published in the world's top-ranked journals. My interdisciplinary research has helped to develop my work within different fields, including biology, physics and engineering. My latest book entitled “Climate Conscious Low-Energy Tropical Built Environment” summarises the strategies of environmental architecture in the tropical climate.
I have delivered keynote/invited speeches at different local and international conferences. I am an associate editor, editorial board member, scientific/technical committee member and reviewer for many international journals and conferences. I have reviewed over 100 international papers for the world's top ranked journals include Applied Energy, Cleaner Production, Energy and Buildings, Automation in Construction, Indoor and Built Environment, Sustainable Cities and Society and Building Engineering. According to Publons, I am one of the top reviewers in architecture and the built environment.
Publications
Journal articles
Haddid, H.A., & Al-Obaidi, K.M. (2022). Examining the impact of urban canyons morphology on outdoor environmental conditions in city centres with a temperate climate. Energy Nexus, 8. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2022.100159
Al-Sabahi, M.H., Ismail, M.A., Alashwal, A., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2022). Triangulation Method to Assess Indoor Environmental Conditions and Occupant Comfort and Productivity towards Low Energy Buildings in Malaysia. Buildings, 12 (11). http://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111788
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Al-Duais, H.S., Alduais, N.A.M., Alashwal, A., & Ismail, M.A. (2022). Exploring the environmental performance of liquid glass coating using Sol-Gel technology and responsive Venetian blinds in the tropics. Journal of Building Engineering, 62. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105329
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Hossain, M., Alduais, N.A.M., Al-Duais, H.S., Omrany, H., & Ghaffarianhoseini, A. (2022). A review of using IoT for energy efficient buildings and cities: a built environment perspective. Energies, 15 (16). http://doi.org/10.3390/en15165991
Al-Duais, H.S., Ismail, M.A., Awad, Z.A.M., & Al-Obaidi, K.M. (2022). Performance evaluation of solar-powered atmospheric water harvesting using different glazing materials in the tropical built environment: an experimental study. Energies, 15 (9). http://doi.org/10.3390/en15093026
Esparza-López, C.J., Escobar-del Pozo, C., Al-Obaidi, K., & González-Trevizo, M.E. (2022). Improving the thermal performance of indirect evaporative cooling by using a wet fabric device on a concrete roof in hot and humid climates. Energies, 15 (6). http://doi.org/10.3390/en15062213
Al-Duais, H.S., Ismail, M.A., Awad, Z.A.M., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2022). Methods of harvesting water from air for sustainable buildings in hot and tropical climates. Malaysian Construction Research Journal, 12 (1), 150-168. https://www.cream.my/my/publication/download-malaysian-construction-research-journal/mcrj-special-issue-volume-15-no-1-2022
García-Solórzano, L.A., Esparza-Lopez, C.J., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2020). Environmental design solutions for existing concrete flat roofs in low-cost housing to improve passive cooling in western Mexico. Journal of Cleaner Production. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123992
Al-Masrani, S.M., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2019). Dynamic shading systems: A review of design parameters, platforms and evaluation strategies. Automation in construction, 102, 195-216. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.01.014
Ghaffarianhoseini, A., Berardi, U., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2019). Analyzing the thermal comfort conditions of outdoor spaces in a university campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Science of the total environment. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.284
Al-Masrani, S.M., Al-Obaidi, K., Zalin, N.A., & Aida Isma, M.I. (2018). Design optimisation of solar shading systems for tropical office buildings: Challenges and future trends. Solar Energy, 170, 849-872. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.04.047
Wong, Y.C., Al-Obaidi, K.M., & Mahyuddin, N. (2018). Recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) for building products: Concept of processing framework from automotive to construction industries in Malaysia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 190, 285-302. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.145
Kam, K.J., Lim, A.S.H., Al-Obaidi, K., & Lim, T.S. (2018). Evaluating Housing Needs and Preferences of Generation Y in Malaysia. Planning Practice and Research, 33 (2), 172-185. http://doi.org/10.1080/02697459.2018.1427413
C. Munaaim, M.A., Al-Obaidi, K., & Azizul Abd Rahim, M. (2017). Performance comparison of solar assisted and inverter air conditioning systems in Malaysia. Journal of Design and Built Environment, 17, 53-61. http://doi.org/10.22452/jdbe.sp2017no1.5
Al-Obaidi, K., Azzam Ismail, M., Hussein, H., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2017). Biomimetic building skins: an adaptive approach. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 79, 1472-1491. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.028
Al-Obaidi, K., Wei, S.L., Ismail, M.A., & Kam, K.J. (2017). Sustainable building assessment of colonial shophouses after adaptive reuse in Kuala Lumpur. Buildings, 7 (4), 87. http://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7040087
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M.A., Munaaim, M.A.C., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2017). Designing an integrated daylighting system for deep-plan spaces in Malaysian low-rise buildings. Solar Energy, 149, 85-101. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2017.04.001
Alashwal, A.M., Fareed, N.F., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2017). Determining success criteria and success factors for international construction projects for Malaysian contractors. Construction Economics and Building, 17 (2), 62-80. http://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v17i2.5319
Elsawahli, H., Shah Ali, A., Ahmad, F., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2017). Evaluating Potential Environmental Variables and Active Aging in Older Adults for Age-Friendly Neighborhoods in Malaysia. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 31 (1), 74-92. http://doi.org/10.1080/02763893.2016.1268560
Al-Obaidi, K., Ismail, M.A., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2016). Effective use of hybrid turbine ventilator to improve thermal performance in Malaysian tropical houses. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology, 37 (6), 755-768. http://doi.org/10.1177/0143624416648470
Munaaim, M.A.C., Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M.R., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2016). Potential of fibre optic daylighting systems in tropical Malaysia. Indoor and Built Environment, 25 (3), 466-480. http://doi.org/10.1177/1420326x14552205
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2016). A comparative study between unvented and vented attics powered by the hybrid turbine ventilator in Malaysian houses. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 35 (2), 148-160. http://doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2013.873801
Keumala, N., Younus, M.A., Kuan, Y., Razak, A.S.B.A., Ismail, M.A., & Al-Obaidi, K.M. (2016). Pedagogy of architectural education on Sustainability in Malaysia - Student perspective. Open House International, 41 (4), 104-108.
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M.A., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2015). Assessing the allowable daylight illuminance from skylights in single-storey buildings in Malaysia: a review. International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development, 6 (4), 236-248. http://doi.org/10.1080/2093761x.2015.1129369
Munaaim, M.A.C., Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M.R., & Rahman, A.M.A. (2015). The behavior of internal humidity from fibre optic daylighting system application. Jurnal Teknologi, 75 (9), 1-7.
Abbood, A.W., Al-Obaidi, K.M., Awang, H., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2015). Achieving energy efficiency through industrialized building system for residential buildings in Iraq. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 4 (1), 78-90. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsbe.2015.02.002
Kassim, M.P.M., Al-Obaidi, K.M., Munaaim, M.A.C., & Salleh, A.M. (2015). Feasibility Study on Solar Power Plant Utility Grid under Malaysia Feed-in Tariff. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 8 (2), 210-222. http://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2015.210.222
Al-Obaidi, K., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2014). Design and performance of a novel innovative roofing system for tropical landed houses. Energy Conversion and Management, 85, 488-504. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2014.05.101
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2014). Passive cooling techniques through reflective and radiative roofs in tropical houses in Southeast Asia: A literature review. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 3 (3), 283-297. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2014.06.002
Munaaim, M.A.C., Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M.R., & Rahman, A.M.A. (2014). A review study on the application of the fibre optic daylighting system in Malaysian buildings. International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development, 5 (3), 146-158. http://doi.org/10.1080/2093761x.2014.901931
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2014). A study of the impact of environmental loads that penetrate a passive skylight roofing system in Malaysian buildings. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 3 (2), 178-191. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2014.03.004
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2014). A review of the potential of attic ventilation by passive and active turbine ventilators in tropical Malaysia. Sustainable Cities and Society, 10, 232-240. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2013.10.001
Munaaim, M., Al-Obaidi, K., Ismail, M., & Rahman, A. (n.d.). Empirical Evaluation of the Effect of Heat Gain from Fiber Optic Daylighting System on Tropical Building Interiors. Sustainability, 6 (12), 9231-9243. http://doi.org/10.3390/su6129231
M. Al-Obaidi, K., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (n.d.). Investigation of Passive Design Techniques for Pitched Roof Systems in the Tropical Region. Modern Applied Science, 8 (3). http://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v8n3p182
Al-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (n.d.). A Review of Skylight Glazing Materials in Architectural Designs for a Better Indoor Environment. Modern Applied Science, 8 (1). http://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v8n1p68
Ismail, M.A., M. Al-Obaidi, K., & Sulaiman, R. (n.d.). ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY FOR EXISTING TYPICAL CAMPUS BUILDINGS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA. PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL, 14 (5). http://doi.org/10.21837/pmjournal.v14.i5.198
Conference papers
Ismail, M.A., & Mustafa Al-Obaidi, K. (2019). Exploration in Using Algae to Enhance Indoor Environment in the Tropical Climate. 2019 2nd Asia Conference on Energy and Environment Engineering (ACEEE). http://doi.org/10.1109/aceee.2019.8816895
Ghaffarianhoseini, A., Berardi, U., Raahemifar, K., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., & Al-Obaidi, K. (2017). The Thermal Performance Exploration of Outdoor and Indoor Spaces Using IES & ENVI-me. Simulation Series, 11 (11), 273-280. http://doi.org/10.22360/simaud.2017.simaud.036
AI-Obaidi, K.M., Ismail, M., & Rahman, A.M.A. (2015). Energy efficient skylight design in tropical houses. Key Engineering Materials, 632, 45-56. http://doi.org/10.4028/www.scienctific.net/KEM.632.45
Rifa, R.T., Al-Obaidi, K.M., & Abdul Rahman, A.M. (2014). Improving Stack Effect in Hot Humid Building Interiors with Hybrid Turbine Ventilator(s). MATEC Web of Conferences, 17, 01012. http://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20141701012
Book chapters
Al-Obaidi, K.M., & Rahman, A.M.A. (2016). Toplighting Systems for Improving Indoor Environment: A Review. In Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies for Building and Environmental Applications. (pp. 117-136). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31840-0_7
Theses / Dissertations
Sasi, O.A.Y. (2022). Holistic housing design to enhance health and wellbeing for libyan war wounded. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Spence, K., Al-Obaidi, K., & Freeman, E. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00494