Magda Posani

As the Assistant Professor of Building Physics at Aalto University, Prof. Magda Posani leads research at the intersection of building physics, the hygrothermal behavior of building materials, and environmental sustainability.

Her research focuses on leveraging vernacular solutions, such as bio-based insulation and thermally massive stone and earth walls, to passively regulate indoor temperatures throughout the year, improving occupant comfort during both summer and winter. She is also deeply interested in the passive control of indoor humidity using carbon-neutral and carbon-negative materials. This is a critical area of study, as improper humidity levels can lead to occupant discomfort and negatively impact human health by triggering asthma and respiratory conditions, promoting the spread of viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, and encouraging the growth of mold, fungi, and mites.

An innovative aspect of her research is the combination of advanced additive manufacturing techniques with super-hygroscopic materials to develop building components optimized for passive humidity regulation, creating more comfortable and healthy indoor environments.

If you're interested in these topics, you can find more information in my recent TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/5hPoVKH1L5E.

At Aalto University, her research is focused on developing adaptation strategies for the built environment in Nordic regions, with the goal of preparing buildings for future challenges posed by climate change, particularly in traditional constructions. This includes minimizing moisture-related degradation from heavy rainfall, addressing freeze-thaw vulnerabilities, and mitigating summer overheating—issues expected to worsen with climate change in various parts of the world.

Her work integrates perspectives from architecture and civil engineering, aiming to provide simple yet comprehensive solutions to complex challenges. She also actively engages with the next generation of engineers, fostering meaningful discussions in the classroom about sustainable and healthy futures in construction.

Previous Work

• Passive humidity control using 3D-printed, super-hygroscopic, low-carbon materials (link1)
• Passive material solutions for improving indoor comfort (link2, link3, link4)
• Minimizing moisture-related degradation risks in post-insulating existing masonry walls, with recommendations for applications in historic and traditional buildings (link5, link6, link7)
• Hygrothermal characterization of materials and systems (link8, link1)
• Indoor climate monitoring (link2, link9)

Education
After obtaining an integrated Master's degree in 'Building Engineering and Architecture' from the University of Bologna (Italy), she completed her Ph.D. research in Civil Engineering under the Doctoral Program for Eco-Constructions and Rehabilitation at the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering in Lisbon and the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Porto (LNEC and FEUP, Portugal). This work included a visiting period at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e, Netherlands). Her dissertation focused on the use of thermal mortar-based insulation systems for retrofitting historic walls, evaluating the feasibility, efficacy, and compatibility of various solutions. She then spent three years as a PostDoc researcher at the Chair of Sustainable Construction at ETH Zürich (Switzerland), where she worked on bio- and clay-based materials for use in climate-neutral and climate-resilient renovations.

Are you interested in developing a thesis at Aalto University on topics such as current comfort and well-being in Nordic buildings, exploring the potential of clay- or bio-based materials to enhance indoor comfort, or minimizing the risks that climate change poses to existing buildings? Feel free to reach out to discuss your ideas!