Rongrong Yu

Dr Rongrong Yu

Research Degree Coordinator

School of Communication, Media and Journalism

College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities

Available For Media Comment.


Dr Rongrong Yu is an Enterprise Fellow (Architecture) at University of South Australia. Her research interests cover broad areas of architectural computing, computational analysis and design cognition. She is passionate about demystifying and scientifically quantifying design and design processes, to lead to greater understanding and architectural solutions. Her research includes using computational methods to analyse and understand buildings/urban spaces, exploring designers’ cognitive behaviour in digital design environments based on protocol and biometrical analysis, and creating parametric design systems that reflect specific spatial characteristics. Dr Yu’s research has been published in high impact journals and major international conferences, within architecture and design computing fields. She’s also a reviewer and editorial board member, for several international journals and conferences.

Year Citation
2025 Carvalho, R., Zhang, F., Liu, T., Yu, R., Chen, E., & Oh, E. (2025). Amenity preferences and design evaluation in Australian build-to-rent compact apartments: a VR/EEG study. Building Research And Information, online, 1-21.
DOI
2025 Qi, L., Jun, D., & Yu, R. (2025). Analysis of spatial layout influencing factors in National Forest Tourism Villages: a case study of Liaoning Province. Land, 14(4, article no. 857), 1-22.
DOI
2025 Soltani, S., Abbasnejad, B., Gu, N., Yu, R., & Maxwell, D. (2025). A multi-faceted analysis of enablers and barriers of industrialised building: global insights for the Australian context. Buildings, 15(2, article no. 214), 1-33.
DOI
2025 Khotbehsara, E. M., Yu, R., Somasundaraswaran, K., Askarizad, R., & Kolbe Alexander, T. (2025). The walkable environment: a systematic review through the lens of Space Syntax as an integrated approach. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, online, 1-27.
DOI
2025 Masoumzadeh, S., Yu, R., Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I., Gu, N., Zhang, F., Cao, Z., & Sakhaei, H. (2025). Neuroscientific methodologies in urban studies: a systematic review and new directions for evidence-based urban design and planning. Cities & Health, online, 1-22.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Khotbehsara, E. M., Somasundaraswaran, K., Kolbe Alexander, T., & Yu, R. (2025). The influence of spatial configuration on pedestrian movement behaviour in commercial streets of low-density cities. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 16(1, article no. 103184), 1-14.
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2024 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Masoumzadeh, S. (2024). Exploring the impact of digital technologies on team collaborative design. Buildings, 14(10, article no. 3263), 1-14.
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2024 Liao, P., Gu, N., Yu, R., & Brisbin, C. (2024). Understanding the spatial structures and morphological changes of historic Chinese built environments using angular segment analysis. Architectural Science Review, 67(3), 218-236.
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2024 Dong, J., Yin, H., & Yu, R. (2024). Artistic and structural connections between architecture and music - a comparative case study of the Forbidden City and Palace Memories. Nexus Network Journal, 26(2), 353-367.
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2024 Drogemuller, A., Matthews, B. J., Cunningham, A., Yu, R., Gu, N., & Thomas, B. H. (2024). Hey building! Novel interfaces for parametric design manipulations in virtual reality. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8(540), 330-355.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2024 Yu, R., Gu, N., Liu, T., Guan, H., Oh, E., Sharifi, S., & Chang, R. (2024). AEC perceptions on DFMA collaboration and supporting technologies for prefabricated housing in Australia and New Zealand. Advanced Design Research, 2(2), 115-124.
DOI
2024 Khan, A. A., Yu, R., Liu, T., Gu, N., Walsh, J., & Mohandes, S. R. (2024). Nudge or mandate: an exploration into the constraints of volumetric modular construction in Australia. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, online, 1-34.
DOI Scopus6 WoS3
2024 Zhang, F., Yu, R., Bischeri, C., Liu, T., & Khoshbakht, M. (2024). FOREWORD. Proceedings of the International Conference of Architectural Science Association, IV-V.
2023 Khan, A. A., Yu, R., Liu, T., Gu, N., & Walsh, J. (2023). Volumetric modular construction risks: a comprehensive review and digital-technology-coupled circular mitigation strategies. Sustainability, 15(8, article no. 7019), 1-34.
DOI Scopus26 WoS21
2023 Khan, A. A., Yu, R., Gu, N., Liu, T., Walsh, J., Sepasgozar, S., & Crough, D. (2023). Exploring critical risk factors in volumetric modular construction: fault tree analysis with stakeholders' perspectives on probability and impact. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 29(4), 1-18.
DOI Scopus8 WoS5
2023 Carvalho, R., Liu, T., Zhang, F., Yu, R., & Oh, E. (2023). Key themes of build-to-rent: developing a conceptual framework for achieving successful developments through a systematic literature review. Buildings, 13(8), 1-21.
DOI Scopus7
2023 Ramakrishnan, J., Seshadri, K., Liu, T., Zhang, F., Yu, R., & Gou, Z. (2023). Explainable semi-supervised AI for green performance evaluation of airport buildings. Journal of Building Engineering, 79(15, article no. 107788), 1-21.
DOI Scopus12
2023 Ramakrishnan, J., Liu, T., Zhang, F., Seshadri, K., Yu, R., & Gou, Z. (2023). A decision tree-based modeling approach for evaluating the green performance of airport buildings. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 100(107070), 1-17.
DOI Scopus15
2023 Yu, R., Schubert, G., & Gu, N. (2023). Biometric analysis in design cognition studies: a systematic literature review. Buildings, 13(3, article no. 630), 1-24.
DOI
2023 Zhang, J., Gou, Z., Zhang, F., & Yu, R. (2023). The tree cooling pond effect and its influential factors: a pilot study in Gold Coast, Australia. Nature-Based Solutions, 3(100058), 1-13.
DOI WoS17
2022 Carney, L., & Yu, R. (2022). An affordable identity-customisation prior to housing construction in Australia. Architecture, 2(2), 245-254.
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2022 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2022). Architects' perceptions about sustainable design practice and the support provided for this by digital tools: a study in Australia. Sustainability, 14(21, article no. 13849), 1-19.
DOI
2022 Liao, P., Yu, R., Gu, N., & Soltani, S. (2022). A syntactical spatio-functional analysis of four typical historic Chinese towns from a heritage tourism perspective. Land, 11(12, article no. 2181), 1-30.
DOI
2022 Ramakrishnan, J., Liu, T., Yu, R., Seshadri, K., & Gou, Z. (2022). Towards greener airports: Development of an assessment framework by leveraging sustainability reports and rating tools. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 93, 1-14.
DOI
2022 Yu, R., Gu, N., Lee, G., & Khan, A. (2022). A Systematic Review of Architectural Design Collaboration in Immersive Virtual Environments. Designs, 6(5), 93.
DOI Scopus36
2022 Khan, A., Yu, R., Liu, T., Guan, H., & Oh, E. (2022). Drivers towards adopting modular integrated construction for affordable sustainable housing: a total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) method. Buildings, 12(5, article no. 637), 1-29.
DOI Scopus46
2022 Yu, R., Ostwald, M. J., Gu, N., Skates, H., & Feast, S. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of online teaching in architecture courses. Architectural Science Review, 65(2), 89-100.
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2021 Yu, R., & Ostwald, M. J. (2021). Comparing architects' perceptions of the usefulness of digital design environments with their aspirations for sustainable design in Australia. Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering, 29(2), 5-20.
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2021 Liao, P., Gu, N., Yu, R., & Brisbin, C. (2021). Exploring the spatial pattern of historic Chinese towns and cities: a syntactical approach. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 10(3), 598-613.
DOI
2021 Dong, J., Wang, Y., & Yu, R. (2021). Application of the semantic network method to sightline compensation analysis of the Humble Administrator's Garden. Nexus Network Journal, 23(1), 209-225.
DOI
2021 Khan, A., Sepasgozar, S., Liu, T., & Yu, R. (2021). Integration of BIM and immersive technologies for AEC: a scientometric‐SWOT analysis and critical content review. Buildings, 11(3, article no. 126), 1-34.
DOI
2021 Vaez, S., Burke, M., & Yu, R. (2021). Understanding the effects of urban form and navigational aids on wayfinding behaviour and spatial cognition. Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding, 5(2), 22-37.
DOI
2021 Gui, X., Gou, Z., Zhang, F., & Yu, R. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on higher education building energy use and implications for future education building energy studies. Energy and Buildings, 251(111346), 1-13.
DOI
2020 Lan, H., Cheng, B., Gou, Z., & Yu, R. (2020). An evaluation of feed-in tariffs for promoting household solar energy adoption in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Sustainable Cities and Society, 53(article no. 101942), 1-10.
DOI
2020 Vaez, S., Burke, M., & Yu, R. (2020). Visitors' wayfinding strategies and navigational aids in unfamiliar urban environment. Tourism Geographies, 22(4-5), 832-847.
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2019 Gero, J., Yu, R., & Wells, J. (2019). The effect of design education on creative design cognition of high school students. International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation, 7(4), 196-212.
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2019 Yu, R., Burke, M., & Raad, N. (2019). Exploring impact of future flexible working model evolution on urban environment, economy and planning. Journal of Urban Management, 8(3), 447-457.
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2018 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2018). Evaluating creativity in parametric design environments and geometric modelling environments. Architectural Science Review, 61(6), 443-453.
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2018 Yu, R., Ostwald, M., & Gu, N. (2018). Mathematically defining and parametrically generating Traditional Chinese Private Gardens of the Suzhou region and style. Environment and planning B: urban analytics and city science, 45(1), 44-66.
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2018 Yu, R., & Ostwald, M. J. (2018). Spatio-visual experience of movement through the Yuyuan Garden: a computational analysis based on isovists and visibility graphs. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 7(4), 497-509.
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2016 Yu, R., & Gero, J. S. (2016). An empirical basis for the use of design patterns by architects in parametric design. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 14(3), 289-302.
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2016 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2016). The mathematics of spatial transparency and mystery: using syntactical data to visualise and analyse the properties of the Yuyuan Garden. Visualization in Engineering, 4(4), 1-9.
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2015 Yu, R., Gero, J. S., & Gu, N. (2015). Architects' cognitive behaviour in parametric design. International journal of architectural computing, 13(1), 83-101.
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2015 Yu, R., Ostwald, M. J., & Gu, N. (2015). Parametrically generating new instances of traditional Chinese private gardens that replicate selected socio-spatial and aesthetic properties. Nexus Network Journal, 17(3), 807-829.
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2015 Yu, R., Gu, N., Ostwald, M., & Gero, J. S. (2015). Empirical support for problem-solution coevolution in a parametric design environment. Artificial Intelligence For Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, 29(1), 33-44.
DOI
2013 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Lee, J. H. (2013). Comparing designers' behavior in responding to unexpected discoveries in parametric design environments and geometry modeling environments. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 11(4), 393-414.
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2013 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2013). Comparing designers' problem-solving behavior in a parametric design environment and a geometric modeling environment. Buildings, 3(3), 621-638.
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2012 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2012). Using situated FBS ontology to explore designers' patterns of behavior in parametric environments. Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 17(special issue), 271-282.

Year Citation
2025 Khan, A. A., Yu, R., Gu, N., Walsh, J., & Liu, T. (2025). Making a Case for Circular Economy Principles in Modular Construction: Identifying Key Determinant Factors. In Event/exhibition information: 46th AUBEA 2023, Australia, 26/11/2023-28/11/2023
Source details - Title: Creating Capacity and Capability: Embracing Advanced Technologies and Innovations for Sustainable Future in Building Education and Practice. AUBEA 2023 (Vol. 564 LNCE, pp. 53-68). Singapore: Springer.

DOI
2024 Gu, N., Yu, R., London, K., Pablo, Z., & Roberts, M. (2024). Evaluating the use of digital technologies to support design collaboration. In J. H. Lee, M. J. Ostwald, & M. J. Kim (Eds.), Source details - Title: Multimodality in Architecture (pp. 39-64). Switzerland: Springer.
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2023 Yu, R., & Gu, N. (2023). Future learning in the metaverse - an exploration of virtual architectural design studios. In J. Lee (Ed.), Source details - Title: Cultural Space on Metaverse (pp. 3-26). Singapore: Springer.
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2018 Gu, N., Yu, R., & Amini Behbahani, P. (2018). Parametric design: theoretical development and algorithmic foundation for design generation in architecture. In B. Sriraman (Ed.), Source details - Title: Handbook of the mathematics of the arts and sciences (pp. 1-22). Switzerland: Springer.
DOI
2017 Gu, N., Yu, R., & Ostwald, M. (2017). Unpacking the cultural DNA of traditional Chinese private gardens through mathematical measurement and parametric design. In J. -H. Lee (Ed.), Source details - Title: Morphological Analysis of Cultural DNA (pp. 59-75). Singapore: Springer.
DOI

Year Citation
2025 Khan, A. A., Yu, R., Gu, N., Walsh, J., & Liu, T. (2025). Application of Virtual Reality to Mitigate the Onsite Assembly Risks of Modular Construction: Training and Assessment Scenarios. In Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering Vol. 564 LNCE (pp. 279-296). Singapore: Springer.
DOI
2024 Masoumzadeh, S., Yu, R., Gu, N., Bornkessel Schlesewsky, I., Cao, J., & Zhang, F. (2024). Designing in different realities: how virtual environment fidelity influences design thinking-Insights from pilot studies. In F. Zhang (Ed.), Harmony in Architectural Science and Design: Sustaining the Future. Proceedings of the 57th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (pp. 180-187). Australia: The Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA).
2024 Sakhaei, H., Drogemuller, A., Yu, R., Cunningham, A., Thomas, B. H., & Gu, N. (2024). Towards an immersive design experience: initial user requirements to integrate parametric design with virtual reality. In Proceedings of the International Conference of Architectural Science Association (pp. 310-318). Australia: The Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA).
2024 Teimouri, R., Masoumzadeh Sayyar, S., Yu, R., & Gu, N. (2024). A theoretical framework for development of virtual environments to aid contextual architecture. In F. Zhang, R. Yu, C. Bischeri, T. Liu, & M. Khoshbakht (Eds.), ASA 2024 Harmony in Architectural Science and Design: Sustaining the Future Conference Proceedings (pp. 140-147). Australia: The Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA).
2023 Drogemuller, A., Sakhaei, H., Cunningham, A., Yu, R., & Gu, N. (2023). Envisioning paramersive design: an immersive approach to architectural design and review. In Proceedings - 2023 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct, ISMAR-Adjunct 2023 (pp. 261-265). US: IEEE.
DOI Scopus4
2021 Khan, A. A., Yu, R., Liu, T., Sepasgozar, S., & Chen, C. (2021). Systematic review of different stage risks in modular integrated construction practice. In Proceedings of the Australasian Universities Building Education Association Conference: Construction Education: Live the Future (AUBEA 2021) (pp. 344-354). Australia: Deakin University.
2020 Zhang, F., Yu, R., & Gou, Z. (2020). Exploring undergraduate architectural students' perceptions towards evidence-based design. In L. Sanderson, & S. Stone (Eds.), Teaching-Learning-Research: Design and Environments 22.2 (pp. 1-12). UK: Architecture, Media, Politics, Society (AMPS).
2020 Yu, R., & Gero, J. (2020). The effect of digital design representation on designers' visual attention. In S. Boess, M. Cheung, & R. Cain (Eds.), Synergy - DRS International Conference 2020 (pp. 2234-2244). UK: Design Research Society.
DOI
2018 Gero, J. S., Yu, R., & Wells, J. (2018). Creative design cognition differences between high school students with and without design education. In E. Dekoninck (Ed.), DS 89: Proceedings of The Fifth International Conference on Design Creativity (ICDC 2018) (pp. 240-247). UK: Design Society.
2018 Yu, R., & Bruke, M. (2018). Wayfinding in major waterfront points of interest in Queensland Australia: a case study in Surfers Paradise. In P. Rajagoplan, & M. M. Andamon (Eds.), Engaging Architectural Science: Meeting the Challenges of Higher Density: 52nd International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2018 (pp. 569-575). Australia: RMIT University.
2018 Yu, R., & Gero, J. S. (2018). Using eye-tracking to study designers' cognitive behaviour when designing with CAAD. In P. Rajagoplan, & M. M. Andamon (Eds.), Engaging Architectural Science: Meeting the Challenges of Higher Density: 52nd International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2018 (pp. 443-451). Australia: RMIT University.
2017 Lee, J. H., Ostwald, M. J., & Yu, R. (2017). Investigating visibility properties in the design of aged-care facilities. In P. Janssen (Ed.), Protocols, Flows and Glitches, Proceedings of the22nd International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia(CAADRIA) (pp. 365-375). China: CAADRIA.
2017 Shields, J. A. E., Gero, J. S., & Yu, R. (2017). Evaluating the veridicality of two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional architectural space through physiological response. In M. C. Costa (Ed.), Architectural Research Addressing Societal Challenges (pp. 1001-1008). UK: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
DOI
2017 Yu, R., & Gero, J. (2017). Exploring designers' cognitive load when viewing different digital representations of spaces: a pilot study. In A. Chakrabarti, & D. Chakrabarti (Eds.), International Conference on Research into Design, ICoRD 2017: Research into Design for Communities, Volume 1 (pp. 457-467). Singapore: Springer.
DOI
2017 Maher, M. L., Lee, L., Gero, J. S., Yu, R., & Clausner, T. (2017). Characterizing tangible interaction during a creative combination task. In J. Gero (Ed.), Design Computing and Cognition '16 (pp. 39-58). Switzerland: Springer.
DOI
2016 Gu, N., Yu, R., & Ostwald, M. (2016). Computational analysis and generation of traditional Chinese private gardens through space syntax and parametric design. In S. Chien, S. Choo, M. A. Schnabel, W. Nakapan, M. J. Kim, & S. Roudavski (Eds.), 21st International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia: Living Systems and Micro-Utopias: Towards Continuous Designing, CAADRIA 2016 proceedings (pp. 95-104). Australia: CAADRIA.
2016 Maher, M. L., Gero, J., Lee, L., Yu, R., & Clausner, T. (2016). Measuring the effect of tangible interaction on design cognition. In D. D. Schmorrow, & C. M. Fidopiastis (Eds.), 10th International Conference on Foundations of Augmented Cognition: Neuroergonomics and Operational Neuroscience, AC 2016, held as part of 18th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, (HCI International) 2016 (pp. 348-360). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
DOI
2016 Gero, J. S., Shields, J., & Yu, R. (2016). How veridical are different modalities of digital representation?: The effect of presentation modality on physiological response. In S. Chien (Ed.), Living Systems and Micro-Utopias: Towards Continuous Designing, Proceedings of the 21st International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia CAADRIA 2016 (pp. 861-870). China: The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
2015 Yu, R., & Gero, J. (2015). Design patterns from empirical studies in computer-aided design. In G. Celani, D. Sperling, & J. Franco (Eds.), CAAD Futures 2015: Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures.The Next City - New Technologies and the Future of the Built Environment (pp. 493-506). Germany: Springer Verlag.
DOI
2015 Yu, R., Ostwald, M., & Gu, N. (2015). Empirical evidence of designers' cognitive behavior in a parametric design environment and a geometric modeling environment. In Proceedings of the International Association of Societies Design Research (IASDR) conference 2015: interplay (pp. 2437-2446). Australia: IASDR.
2015 Yu, R., Behbahani, P. A., Ostwald, M., & Gu, N. (2015). Wayfinding in traditional Chinese private gardens: a spatial analysis of the Yuyuan garden. In Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment: 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (pp. 931-939). Australia: Architectural Science Association.
2015 Yu, R., & Gero, J. (2015). An empirical foundation for design patterns in parametric design. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia CAADRIA (pp. 551-560). Hong Kong: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research.
2014 Yu, R., Gero, J., & Gu, N. (2014). Cognitive effects of using parametric modeling by practicing architects: a preliminary study. In N. Gu, S. Watanabe, H. Erhan, M. H. Haeusler, W. Huang, & R. Sosa (Eds.), Rethinking comprehensive design: speculative counterculture, proceedings of the 19th international conference on computer-aided architectural design research in Asia (CAADRIA 2014) (pp. 677-686). Japan: CAADRIA.
2014 Yu, R., Ostwald, M. J., & Gu, N. (2014). A parametric approach to connectivity relations in the planning of traditional Chinese private gardens. In F. Madeo, & M. A. Schnabel (Eds.), Across: Architectural Research through to Practice: 48th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA) 2014 (pp. 189-200). Italy: Architectural Science Association & Genova University Press.
2014 Yu, R., Olatunji, O. A., & Akanmu, A. A. (2014). An ontology for analysing cognition in geometric and parametric design platforms: a review. In Y. Wang, H. Ye, G. Q. P. Shen, & Y. Bai (Eds.), ICCREM 2014: Smart Construction and Management in the Context of New Technology: Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Construction and Real Estate Management (pp. 92-102). US: American Society of Civil Engineers.
DOI
2013 Yu, R., Gero, J., & Gu, N. (2013). Impact of using rule algorithms on designers' behavior in a parametric design environment: preliminary result from a pilot study. In J. Zhang, & C. Sun (Eds.), CAAD Futures 2013: Global Design and Local Materialization (pp. 13-22). Germany: Springer.
DOI
2013 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2013). A method for comparing designers' behavior in two environments: Parametric and geometric modeling. In Open systems - Proceedings of the 18th International conference on computer-aided architectural design research in Asia, CAADRIA 2013 (pp. 479-488). Singapore: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia.
2012 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2012). Situated creativity inspired in parametric design environments. In A. Duffy, Y. Nagai, & T. Taura (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Design Creativity (pp. 221-230). Scotland: ICDC.
2012 Yu, R., Gu, N., & Ostwald, M. (2012). Explore patterns of human-computer interactions in parametric design environments. In Y. C. Lin, & S. C. J. Kang (Eds.), CONVR 2012: proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Construction Application of Virtual Reality (pp. 212-222). Taiwan: CONVR.
  • Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute Scholarship, Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute, 22/06/2023 - 31/05/2026

  • Development of an end-user co-design toolkit for sustainable residential retrofits using environmental sensors and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies Project, Various, 01/07/2024 - 30/09/2025

  • Development of a new consumer-driven building inspection tool using AI and AR technologies, Qubisoft Pty Ltd, 05/09/2024 - 30/03/2025


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