The Society of Construction and Projects (SCP), in collaboration with international academic partners, will co-organize an international academic webinar entitled “The Seven Deadly Sins of Indoor-environmental Quality Discourse” on 18 November 2026.

The webinar will feature Professor Ardeshir Mahdavi, an internationally recognized scholar in building physics, building performance simulation, and indoor environmental quality, from Graz University of Technology, Austria.

Organized as part of the Journal of Building Design and Environment (JBDE) Frontier Forum, the event aims to promote critical academic discussion on indoor environmental quality (IEQ), building performance, and the scientific foundations of healthy and sustainable built environments.

Exploring the Scientific Foundations of Indoor Environmental Quality

People spend a substantial proportion of their lives indoors, making indoor environmental quality a fundamental consideration in building design, operation, human health, and well-being.

Although significant progress has been achieved in improving indoor environmental conditions, fundamental questions remain regarding how suitable indoor environments should be defined, assessed, and delivered.

In his presentation, Professor Mahdavi will critically examine established assumptions, concepts, and evaluation approaches in indoor environmental quality research. Drawing on extensive experience in building physics, performance simulation, and building control and diagnostics, he will identify potential misconceptions and limitations in current IEQ discourse.

The presentation will also explore how rigorous scientific research, evidence-based assessment criteria, and reliable engineering practices can better address the needs of building occupants and support the development of healthier, more comfortable, and sustainable indoor environments.

Distinguished Speaker and Academic Participation

Keynote Speaker: Professor Ardeshir Mahdavi

Professor Ardeshir Mahdavi is an internationally recognized researcher and educator in building science. His research encompasses building physics, building performance simulation, building control and diagnostics, and indoor environmental quality.

He has held academic appointments at Graz University of Technology, Austria, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, and has also served as a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore.

Professor Mahdavi has authored more than 700 scientific publications and supervised over 65 doctoral researchers. His contributions to building performance research have been recognized through several academic distinctions, including the IBPSA Distinguished Achievement Award.

Session Chair: Associate Professor Christiane Berger

The webinar will be chaired by Associate Professor Christiane Berger from the Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology at Aalborg University, Denmark.

Her research focuses on building performance simulation, building physics, indoor environmental quality, human–building interaction, and performance-based building design.

SCP’s Commitment to International Research Collaboration

As a co-organizer of the webinar, SCP continues to support international academic exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration in construction, building engineering, environmental performance, and sustainable development.

The event provides an opportunity for researchers, academics, postgraduate students, and industry professionals to engage with leading international scholars, exchange research perspectives, and explore emerging challenges in the built environment.

The webinar also contributes to SCP’s broader commitment to advancing research excellence and strengthening international academic partnerships.

The Journal of Building Design and Environment (JBDE), an international academic journal sponsored by SCP, supports the dissemination of research and scholarly exchange in building design, environmental performance, and related interdisciplinary fields.

Event Details and Participation

* Topic: The Seven Deadly Sins of Indoor-environmental Quality Discourse

* Date: Wednesday, 18 November 2026

* Time: 5:00 PM Beijing Time (10:00 AM Austria Time)

* Format: Online Webinar via Zoom

* Speaker: Professor Ardeshir Mahdavi

* Chair: Associate Professor Christiane Berger

* Zoom Meeting ID: 842 7061 0393

* Passcode: 511939

Researchers, academics, students, and professionals interested in indoor environmental quality, building performance, and sustainable built environments are warmly invited to participate.

SCP looks forward to welcoming participants from the international research community and fostering further academic dialogue and collaboration through this event.