Dr. Sneha Jain
Assistant Professor
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Dr. Sneha Jain is an Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary, where she leads the DWELL group (Daylight, Wellbeing, and the Living Environment Lab), investigating how the built environment shapes human comfort, health, and wellbeing. Her research lies at the intersection of building technology, sustainability, and human wellbeing, with the goal of creating living environments that are not only energy-efficient but also comfortable, health-focused, and adaptable.
At the University of Calgary, Dr. Jain's research program focuses on three core areas: uncovering empirical links between indoor environmental parameters and human health outcomes; advancing the design of building envelopes to optimize daylight and occupant comfort; and translating behavioural findings into evidence-based design strategies for healthier, more equitable, and sustainable built environments.
Dr. Jain is trained as an architect and holds a Ph.D. in Building Science from EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland). She completed her postdoctoral scholarship in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and a research fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Research Interests
- Indoor living environments and human health
Establishing empirical, evidence-based links between the physical characteristics of indoor environments and human health outcomes. This line of work investigates how specific environmental parameters, such as the spectrum and intensity of light, indoor air quality, and thermal conditions, directly impact physiological and psychological responses, including cognitive performance, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Research methods are drawn from building science, environmental psychology, and health sciences, with a goal to create a robust body of evidence that can inform the design of buildings that support health.
- Smart Building Technology & Automation
Advancing the design and technology of building systems and envelopes to optimize energy performance and enhance occupant experience by creating dynamic and adaptive systems. This involves developing and evaluating innovative systems and control mechanisms for daylighting, glare control, and natural cooling. Past projects include the development of automated shading systems, investigations into the visual comfort aspects of colored glazing, and occupant-oriented approach to controlling windows for natural cooling.
- Inclusive design and policy
Translating scientific findings into practical design guidelines and policy recommendations aimed at sustainable development, especially for vulnerable groups, including low-income renters in affordable housing and older adults. This work examines how community-driven, human-centered design and retrofitting can improve quality of life, promote independence, and ensure equitable access to healthy living environments. The ultimate goal is to develop scalable design workflows that can be used by architects, planners, and policymakers.