[Vignesh Ayyathurai]

Who are you?

I’m Vignesh Ayyathurai, a doctoral researcher at Uppsala University, Sweden, focusing on Digital Technologies for Informed and User-Adapted Building Renovation. My research revolves around developing Digital Twins for existing campus buildings, integrating BIM, sensor data, and energy simulation to enhance building operation, occupant comfort, and retrofit decision-making.

What is your industry and profession?

I come from the Building Energy and HVAC Systems domain, with a professional background bridging engineering consultancy and academic research. I previously collaborated with AFRY Sweden on building energy retrofit simulations. Currently, I work at the intersection of Built Environment, Data Science, and Digital Twin innovation.

Where do you plan to use your new Digital Twin Knowledge? Personally/professionally?

Professionally, I aim to advance the use of Digital Twins as decision-support tools in building renovation, energy optimisation, and occupant-centric performance evaluation. Personally, I’m passionate about leveraging this knowledge to create scalable, data-driven workflows that bridge research with real-world building operations; empowering property owners, facility managers, and researchers to collaborate on achieving climate-neutral campuses.

Why have you decided to join the DTHub?

I joined the DTHub to connect with innovators and researchers who are actively shaping the Digital Twin ecosystem across disciplines. The community’s focus on interoperability, open standards, and real-world deployment strongly aligns with my PhD vision. I see DTHub as an ideal space to exchange workflows, collaborate on open-source initiatives, and explore cross-sector partnerships between academia and industry.

Have you participated in any of our meetups or events?

Not yet, but I’ve been following the DTHub events and knowledge exchanges closely, and I’m eager to take part in upcoming Built Environment and Twin Implementation sessions. I believe these discussions could provide valuable insights and networking opportunities for my ongoing doctoral project.

Do you have any examples of work that you have done using Digital Twins?

Yes, my current doctoral work involves developing a Digital Twin framework for Uppsala University’s Ångström Laboratory campus, integrating BIM-based geometry, real-time sensor data, and EnergyPlus simulation within a calibrated digital model. The workflow aims to support user-adapted renovation strategies and predictive maintenance through data-driven insights.

I have also presented related research on workflow gaps in Digital Twin for building renovation and simulation-based optimisation of decentralised heating systems at Nordic Energy Informatics Academy 2025 and KTH Dig-IT Lab Workshop, Stockholm.