
Shakil Ahmad Shimul
Shakil Ahmad Shimul is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, University of Oklahoma. Shimul holds a Bachelor of Architecture from BRAC University, Bangladesh, MSc in Architecture (specializing in Digital Design and Fabrication) from Texas Tech University. His PhD research is focused on Kinetic and Responsive Architecture where he investigates Transformative Surface System with Electro Responsive Polymer for Kinetic and Environment Responsive Design.
Shimul is passionate about designing the future. With the intention of exploring more adaptive, responsive, sustainable, and resilient architecture, he took the route of researching smart materials and cutting-edge digital technologies. He strongly believes that materials and technologies are the two major parameters that define the boundaries and show the opportunities of design and build. As a practical outcome of this research, he has designed a ‘Responsive Building envelope/Smart Breathing Window’ to enhance the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and to reduce HVAC load using outdoor fresh and comfortable air conditions. This technology has received published patent, license validation and several awards including NSF I-Corps, GLEAMM Spark Fund, TTU Presidential Award, etc. His research has not only suggested a new commercial opportunity of environment responsive kinetic design but also a novel method of creating non-planer transformative structure systems for different engineering applications too.
Since 2008, he has been involved in the professional practice of architecture. He has worked with Pritzker winner architect, B.V. Doshi as an architectural intern. As an Associate Architect, He has practiced in a Bangladeshi architectural firm ‘Volume Zero Ltd’. Since 2010, besides teaching and research, he has been involved in designing single and multistoried residential buildings and retail interiors, solely and collaboratively in Bangladesh, USA, Spain, and Nigeria. In his professional practice he actively incorporates his research findings, sustainable and energy efficiency, and adaptive and environmental responsive design solutions. For instance, in one of his most recent multi storey apartment designs, he applied the principles of fluid dynamics to generate building geometry, surface profile and surface texture to guide the natural air into indoor spaces to ensure natural ventilation.
Research Interest
Digital design and fabrication, kinetic and responsive architecture, parametric design, robotics in architecture, smart materials, artificial intelligence, biophilic design, energy and sustainability, passive and active ventilation, high performance building envelope, climate change & resilient architecture. n,
Awards
- ‘Metamorphosis Award’– National Science Foundation I-Corp, National Program, Sparing Cohort#4, 2022, New England, Boston (June 2022)
- TTU NSF I-Corps Site award - Type I - Texas Tech University I-Corps Site for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Award Number: 1829254 (2022)
- President’s Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award (a team member), Texas Liberator Project https://liberatorsproject.org/the-app (2020)
- Texas Tech Growth Enhancement Scholarship (2019-2021)
- TTU Moffitt Grad ARCH Scholarship (2018-19)
- TTU Architecture Designated Scholarship (2016-17)
- JT and Margaret Talkington Graduate Fellowship, Texas Tech University (2015-17) TTU ATT Chancellor Fellowship (Graduate Student Research Support)
Grants and Sponsored Research
- NSF National I-Corps Program Award. ( for Smart Breathing Window), in Collaboration with Dr. Li Wei. Award- $ 50,000. (2022)
- National Science Foundation Regional I-Corps Minimum Viable Product Development (MVP) Award, in Collaboration with Dr. Li Wei. Award- $ 5,000. (2022)
- Presidents’ Innovative Startup Award., in Collaboration with Dr. Li Wei. Award- $ 5,000. (January 2022)
- Prototype Fund 2021, sponsored by Lubbock Economic Development Alliance , in Collaboration with Dr. Li Wei. Award- $ 10,000. (September 2021)
- TTU NSF I-Corps Site award - Type I - Texas Tech University I-Corps Site for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Award Number: 1829254. (Portable automatic window designed with responsive material) to improve indoor air quality, in Collaboration with Dr. Li Wei. Award - $ 3,000. (2020)
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GLEAMM Spark Fund Research Grant 2018, Energy Harvesting with Electroactive Polymer, in Collaboration with Dr. Li Wei. Award- $ 50,000. (2018)
Patent
US PATENT (published) ‘Electroactive polymer valve: (Smart Breathing Window’. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Bureau (2019-115). International Publication Number-WO2021173589A3. (2021)
Google Patent:
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2021173589A3/en?oq=PCT%2fUS2021%2f01...
Company formation
Co-Founder, AlvMat.LLC, (A company for advanced material research and product prototyping)
Professional Affiliations
- The American Institute of Architects (AIA). Membership Number: 39311815
- AIA Texas Society of Architects, Membership Number: 39311815
- AIA Lubbock , Membership Number: 39311815
- Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), Membership Number: CS-207.
School of Architecture and Design (SoAD) is proud to have alumni out there in the world making a difference and creating an impact. We would like to share their achievements with our community, particularly our students, so that they find inspiration in them to reach the height of their own potential.